This is excellent advice,
bagpiper. I really should take it to heart myself. I've grown to be better at diplomacy over the past twenty years, but I'm probably still a bit too militant in many cases when some arrogant statist jerkoff or pro-thug slimebag is trying to pull a fast one with lying garbage. In addition to thinking extensively about diplomacy and political tactics, I've thought long and hard on the dirty arts of propaganda warfare and counter-warfare, and I'm now exquisitely sensitive to attempted manipulation with bad premises and twisted logic.
I knew better, but in a minor exhibition of this problem, I momentarily took advantage of my excellent karma at Slashdot to really let loose on the convulsive apologists for the squirming Hamas filth in the Gaza strip who among other things deliberately built a terror tunnel right up to an Israeli kindergarten. This class of thugs loves to kidnap Israelis and is already known for purposefully terror-bombing school buses loaded with children. This was before the Israelis sealed off the border, naturally. As expected, the moderation went up and down, but in the end, the pro-jihadists won and moderated down my comment into oblivion. The thread it sparked is still visible, which looks a little strange when the first replies seem to be in response to nothing. :shock:
Don't even get me started on the Trayvon Martin matter, which seems to be a magnet for race-baiters who vomit endlessly that their little thug should have been able to continue to viciously slam George Zimmerman's head into the sidewalk until it was a bloody pulp. Ugh, there I go again. I hope this sudden tirade against thugs and their apologists didn't break the forum rules. :ack:
Oh, well. To get back on topic, I wouldn't have had any problem either with the waitress for the reasons listed in this thread. First, she's being polite, and second, it's obviously mandated by management. Even if a waitress were to be rude and abrasive about it, I'd still be teeth-grittingly polite because it's a private business and because being armed carries extra responsibilities. I don't go to private businesses where I'm not wanted. It's stressful and unproductive. Like most people, I prefer my day to be generally pleasant and filled with the usual polite hypocrisies with others who find my existence to be at least tolerable.
In addition to all this, the concept of of open carry is worth a determined effort to educate the public on its merits.
Waitress: "Say, you're carrying a gun!"
You: "Yes. I think it's worth quietly carrying it in case there's a problem with a violent individual who doesn't respect other people's lives and safety. I hope I get lucky, though! Most people never have to go through that." *shrugs and smiles gently at waitress*
Waitress: "Oh. Uh, yeah. Could I ask if you have a permit for it?"
You: "Utah doesn't require a permit for open carry. It's entirely legal. I do sometimes carry concealed with my permit, though. It all depends on the circumstances. I think Denny's is a nice restaurant where I can relax with good people." *eyes twinkle*
Waitress: "Ah, okay. I guess I understand. I had to ask."
You: "Sure! Also, I do tip normally, you know." *quick grin*
Waitress: "Okay, hah-hah! What can I get you today?"
Anyways, I think I'm babbling. The amazingly boring, 8000-word writing gig isn't going away. Back to it now! :lol3:
bagpiper said:
Some battles don't need to be fought. Others are most easily won, by tactful non-engagement. No need to make life hard on someone who is probably working very hard to make a living and is required to make some effort to enforce a corporate policy she doesn't even care about. If a battle with corporate has to be fought, ask the gal for the manager's contact info after you've paid your bill and left a nice tip.