I found myself in a VERY similar situation about five years ago.
My school (at the time in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn) was hosting a "Black Fathers/Men" event.
The turnout was decent.
More men came than expected. So I was going to get chairs.
When I was done, a little girl was standing next to me.
I look down at her and said, "hello, how are you? Your hair looks nice."
"Don't talk to my daughter!"
I turned around and said, "huh?"
Her father was behind me and said,
"Don't talk to my daughter. I taught her not to talk to strangers.
So, I'm telling you not to talk to my daughter."
.
I was going to say something reactive.
But I had to catch myself on many levels.
1. I'm still at work.
2. I'm a professional.
3. This is his child.
.
I had to check myself because his tone was some fighting shit.
But I just said, "Okay, no problem."
In the middle of the function,
he stepped to me, gave me dap and said,
"I'm doing what I got to do to protect my daughter."
I kept it short.
"I feel you man."