Coffee Shop Altercations
This week I'm teaching at the Institute for Humane Studies' Journalism & A Free Society seminar at Loyola University Chicago. We go from early in the morning until late at night discussing philosophy, economics, the law and journalism. During a quick break just now, I ran to the local coffee shop to get a couple of lattes. While waiting in line, I read a flyer for Food Not Bombs that was being given out at the cash register:
Food Not Bombs is not a charity but seeks to end the crisis of corporate domination and exploitation through nonviolent direct action so no one is forced to stand in line to eat at a soup kitchen.
They only give away vegan and vegetarian meals, which made me feel sad for people on the streets.
OK, so while I was paying, the proprietor invited me to sign a card for her friend "Liz, in Wisconsin." When I didn't immediately respond, she explained that Liz was heartbroken about the failure to recall Gov. Scott Walker. I, being fairly non-confrontational, responded something like, "Yes, some people are sad about that."
The proprietor got a little fired up, explaining that "We here in Illinois stand ready to help our brethren in Wisconsin. Illinois accepts refugees from Wisconsin and sends them love and support as they go through their trying times!"
So, what would you do? Perhaps I should have simply taken the coffee and smiled and left.
But I was happy to hear that she wanted to help the people of Wisconsin, and so I suggested that she could help the people of Wisconsin pay for their public employees' pensions and benefits. It didn't go over terribly well, but I was happy to remind her why her ideas were on the losing side and to defend the majority of voters in the state to the north.
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Comments:
May '12
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
It all depends. Did you want a cup of coffee? Or a cup of coffee and a dirty look?
Sometimes I feel like getting into it with people, and sometimes I have other (maybe bigger) fish to fry.
Dec '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Did she clarify how much of each beverage sale she makes goes to relief funds for besieged Wisconsin public employees?
Dec '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
My local coffee shop hosts local bible study groups and closes early to do it.
That said, I just typically say no thank you when being confronted with that kind of stuff.
Apr '12
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
You could say "You might have a career with the AFL-CIO."
Aug '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
It's tempting to feel sorry for someone who sends politically-occasioned "Cheer-up!" cards to her fellow travelers.
It's tempting, . . . but mockery gives me such a warm feeling inside.
Apr '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Had you already accepted the cup of coffee into your hot, little paw?
If so, by all means, sock it to 'em (in the nicest possible Christian charity sort of way).
If not, beware of spit.
"Yes, some people are sad about that." -- Classic! Gentle, sweet, condescending!
Jul '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Did you start chanting "this is what democracy looks like!"?
Dec '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Personally, I'd have strongly tempted to say: "keep your coffee, I'll take my business somwhere where the shop shares my political values or at least dosen't impose upon my time with it's opposing views".
Change coffee to book and and it's a conversation I've actually had with owner of a small book store here in Halifax a few years back.
Apr '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Same here. On Facebook this morning, my cousin was lamenting the results in Wisconsin. I expressed the opposite sentiment in a friendly way - I even told him I loved him despite our political differences. Many of his liberal friends then proceeded to pile on. The last comment questioned my integrity and included an insult involving creationism. I've never even met these people. I thought about engaging but decided to enjoy my day instead. I can't wait until November!!
Sep '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
I'm thinking hostage exchange. We send Illinois all of our disgruntled unionistas, and in return Illinois sends us all of their evil one-percenters.
Deal?
Dec '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
I'm confused, Mollie. While I'm in complete support of your decision to tweak the shop owner, what where you doing there in the first place? I have to wonder if you actually walked in looking for trouble. Since the Podcast Crew have made clear that (literal) coffee is for liberals, and any extra cash carried around by the Right should be spent at the Ricochet logo store, I can't see any justification to your patronizing such an establishment, other than to start a fight.
Two questions for the owner: 1) "Bretheren?! Really!? Who says that?" 2) Do you allow your handful of employees to unionize, and do you provide the college kids behind your counter with full medical/dental?
Edited on June 6, 2012 at 6:05pmSep '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Religious people. Which confirms my suspicion that for many liberals, left-wing politics is their religion.
Sep '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Personally, I think you should phone the nearest union local and tell them the man's employees seem a little downtrodden that they can't send union dues to their Wisconsin brethren because they don't yet belong to a union.
Longer lines, and poorer tasting coffee. Of course, if the coffee tastes funny, don't blame the owner; blame the union.
(Warning: Language used not suitable for addressing Queen Elizabeth)
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
das_motorhead:
Two questions for the owner: 1) "Bretheren?! Really!? Who says that?" 2) Do you allow your handful of employees to unionize, and do you provide the college kids behind your counter with full medical/dental? · 1 minute ago
I have to admit that I really wanted to chide her for the "brethren" but was a bit too tired to figure out a fun or funny way to do that.
Sep '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Good for you, Mollie. Before this year, I might have kept quiet, but now I think--or hope--that I would argue with the sanctimonious idiot. I've decided that I shouldn't yield one inch to any of the falsehoods peddled by the Left. Confront them.
Nov '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
I always say something when confronted with what I think is a stupid opinion. That's probably why nobody likes me :(
Jul '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
"I ordered coffee, not opinions."
Jul '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
You have to pick your battles with this kind of stuff.
On the other hand, the tenor of that shop owner's conversation shows exactly what happens when this kind of stuff goes unchallenged for too long. She seems to have no capacity to imagine that anyone would disagree with her. Good for you, Ms. Hemingway, for reminding her that her bubble is not inviolate.
Mar '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
I tend to respond like a knowing Grandfather to a small child. A gentle chuckle, a warm smile, direct eye contact, and a fading "OK...".
Sep '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Interpreted:
Never underestimate the creativity of a fraud.