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:
Jun '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
I can't offer any advice on how you should have handled your coffee house confrontation.
However, if Obama wins re-election I'm going to be disappointed if I don't get a lot of sympathy cards and letters.
The big problem for all of us will be identifying the place that will accept us as refugees.
Aug '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Doc
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!! · 22 minutes ago
I don't know if it has to do with Venus crossing in front of the sun, a full moon or the fact that the Lefties are realizing that they are losing on so many fronts...but it's been like this for two weeks. The vitriol spewing forth has been huge. They've dug in on all fronts and it's getting scary.
Dec '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
dogsbody
Religious people. Which confirms my suspicion that for many liberals, left-wing politics is their religion. · 7 minutes ag
o
Too true. As exhibit B, see the weeping Barrett supporter last night, or Jonah's new book.
Side note: I attend a Southern Baptist church...in Nashville no less, and other than when someone is directly quoting Paul I ain't never heard "brethren."
Dec '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
You still can't reason a person out of a position she didn't reason herself into. Mock her and move on. You'll feel better; she'll feel angry(er), and life will go on.
Aug '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Mollie, If I hadn't already purchased the coffee and she had shared this information...I might have cancelled the order and left it there. But I try to always take the high road on all of these occasions (be it Facebook, Twitter, work or with relatives) and although it hurts to leave things unsaid I do feel the better person for it.
On another note, I work for a greeting card company and wish we had some sympathy cards for the afflicted. I'd suggest it but it might be too edgy. Wouldn't want to offend anyone but it sure would be fun.
Dec '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Have you guys completely lost sight of that good, earnest and kind people can disagree with you, and maybe treating people who disagree with a certain amount of courtesy will make the world a better place?
I mean good lord people, real life isnt the internet.
Mar '12
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
A coffee shop where the elevators don't make it to the top floor. No surprise there. A liberal who rejects the consideration that "the voters have spoken." No surprise there.
Mollie, next time I run into one of these people, I'll stand up (again) and resist the liberal zeitgeist, and remember that you did so as well.
Thanks.
dt
May '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Whenever anyone mentions their "brethren", I always ask about their "cistern". Occasionally, they get it.
May '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Casey, I like it. That's how Ronald Reagan would have handled it.
May '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
You should have signed the card with "it's not the end of the world" or something, and then put "Mollie from ricochet.com".
Dec '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Even though I would totally disagree with this person I would have a little heart. It hurts when your side loses so some people will be miserable today. Out of magnanimity I would be as comforting as can be. Maybe I would part with a "Normally, I would have disagreed but today is not the day. I wish you and your friend the very best."
Sep '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
I did not get to read all of the responses, but I would have done a James Taranto and written "HA HA HA HA HA!" on the card.
Nov '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
People who work in coffee shops in the US need to go to other parts of the world and see how they live, before they start yammering on about "refugees" from another state.
Sep '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
If by "you guys" you mean Ricochet members, I don't know why you're saying that. There's no conflict between courtesy and standing firm for what we believe in.
The coffee shop owner asked Mollie to sign a "condolence" card, and she refused out of principle. That isn't discourtesy.
Apr '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Mollie,
I'm surprised at your lack of graciousness. You should have smiled, offered your condolences, and signed the card with a little note of encouragement:
Dear Liz,
Buck up buttercup,
'cause it's only going to get worse in November.
Feb '12
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Brava! We should all be so willing to provide a little education to our lefty concitoyens.
Sep '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
You should have looked down at your cup and said:
"Why, Allahu Akbar, is that the Prophet Muhammad I see gently forming in my latte?"
May '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
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. · · 3 hours ago
I wish I could have been there to watch and throw out some giant Like signs.
Dec '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
dogsbody
If by "you guys" you mean Ricochet members, I don't know why you're saying that. There's no conflict between courtesy and standing firm for what we believe in.
The coffee shop owner asked Mollie to sign a "condolence" card, and she refused out of principle. That isn't discourtesy. · 1 hour ago
Have you read the thread?
Edited on June 6, 2012 at 9:06pmOct '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
My approach is not to trade with the enemy, ever. Last year I happened to be in a local pharmacy renewing a prescription when I noticed a petition on the counter gathering signatures for a socialist health insurance scheme. I asked to speak with the owner (as this was a local business, not a mega-chain, as is often the case in Switzerland), rescinded my order, requested my prescription back, and told him why I was taking my business elsewhere. All completely polite, to be sure, but unambiguous and unyielding.
This probably had no impact (since I've ever set foot in the place since, I have no idea), but at least I know that my patronage is not supporting policies I find odious. That alone probably reduced my blood pressure as much as the pills I was there to buy.