What has the world come to? My recent experience

[2agunner]

I was at the grocery store and there was a man in line in front of me. He was turned to the side doing something. I did not want to assume anything so I smiled and politely gestured with my arm and hand, are you in line? He knew what I meant by my gesture/body language. He then turned around and yelled at me and proceeded to throw insults at me. Given that I'm a responsible CCW holder, I did nothing and walked away. I know the awesome responsibility I have for being able to carry a firearm(s).

If I didn't have my calm temperament, things could have gotten out of hand and escalated really fast, which could have turned into a deadly force situation given how angry he already was.

Given this experience, I have to change the way I interact with some people. With some people, you can't even be polite or nice anymore because they are looking for a fight.

I'm thankful that nothing really bad happened, ie. no physical force was necessary and he was only yelling and taking his anger out on me.

It's just sad that this is the current state of affairs in the world. It's no wonder that there is so much violence, gun vioence, etc.

Some people have no self-control and don't check themselves because of anger issues, mental illness, etc.

You can't always predict human behavior, but I will have to choose who to be polite and nice to in the future because some people can't handle nice and polite in the world.

 

[Sistema1927]

You have a sample size of one. Don't let it ruin your life.

Continue to be polite and don't be afraid to interact with other people based upon the outlier.

 

[GBExpat]

Given this experience, I have to change the way I interact with some people.

... just because you had the misfortune to encounter one Jerk?

 

[pbearperry]

As the population continues to grow, we have many more criminals,crazies and nice people. It's a numbers thing.Unfortunately, we have a shortage of mental health and prison facilities. We would rather spend on foreign wars that most of the time are none of our business.

 

[2agunner]

Unfortunately, it only takes one jerk/out of control/violent person to seriously harm or kill you in this world.

 

[Tommygunn]

... just because you had the misfortune to encounter one Jerk?

This^^^^^

Sounds like the OP acted calmly and responsibly. He ought not change anything.

 

[entropy]

Exactly why I don't honk or flip someone the bird, however deserving....

You did the right thing. Maybe they had a bad day, maybe they were visiting from NYC.

 

[jjones45]

Chivalry is not dead, on life support but not dead

 

[Capt.Roll]

Marine General James Mattis; “Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everybody you meet.”

 

[Alte Schule]

Yes, those types of experiences are unfortunate. I'm pushing 70 and lost my faith in my fellow many years ago. Had a woman go off on me a few months ago for offering her my seat on a crowded bench outside a local coffee shop. I will continue to be polite though.
If you every day carry you will probably have the upper hand 90% of the time in any street type confrontation even if they do not know it. You did the right thing. Deescalate and move on.

 

[Kevin5098]

I carry for protection from "outliers". My philosophy is the less I interact with strangers, the less likely I am to have a need to act in self defense.

 

[GEM]

This isn't really a firearms oriented post according to the requirements for this forum. Thus, I have to close it.