Wow...if the OP's version of the incident is accurate (and I believe it to be), the strange man acted in an entirely inappropriate manner. If the OP felt threatened by his aggressive behavior towards her and had a legitimate concern for her own safety, it is (at lest by New York law) actionable as an assault. I'm a guy and would've told him to shut up, mind his own business and get lost, but hey, that's just me. Also, that's why God gave us a middle finger.
FGF