The guy’s doctor should have introduced and emphasized “minding your own business”, “keeping your mouth shut” and “don’t stare at strangers” into the therapy. I don’t condone beatings, but really, if you’re going to treat someone with a social disorder, prioritize the treatment steps for their own safety.
You have a point. But would he have received a beating from someone raised in a two-parent, middle-class, societally integrated, traditional values household for merely “sticking his nose in another conversation”?
The worst he would have gotten was a disdaining look.