One of my pet peeves is when people transpond peoples problems and compare them to their own but I’ll explain this as I do so myself.
firstly well done you . It took great moral courage to do the right thing . Very brave mate to do that to what amounts to a stranger .
secondly , I truly honestly believe that if you are truly mates with someone you can tell them absolutely anything or say anything to them , within reason . I’ve always never been shy in saying to the lads I grew up with “your being a cock mate, stop it “ but I’d never say that in front of people , especially stranger