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:
Aug '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
"Some people are sad about that." Great. The lack of civility is only going to get worse as we get closer to November. What ever happened to the great WASP admonition to not discuss politics, sex and money in public? I don't consider Rico to be purely public.
Seriously though, Mollie, why don't you editors see if you could prevail upon Os Guinness to be a guest contributor for a week to lead discussions on the importance of civility?
Aug '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
das_motorhead
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." · 4 hours ago
Wait - what about when you sing the hymn, "Brethren, We Have met to Worship"???
Feb '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
There's something that feels positively un-American about letting politics intrude into everything. But, again, it's a result of that statist mindset which seeks to control everything. Everything is the government's business, therefore everything is everyone's business. Limited government types don't generally interject things where they don't belong. I too, generally avoid places that wear lefty politics on their sleeve. I'll just stick with Tim Hortons, thank you very much
[Edited to fix iOS's gol dang auto-correct]
Edited on June 7, 2012 at 4:26amSep '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
People are entitled to their opinions, but what I cannot abide is people who assume everyone agrees with them. It is a form of bullying in most cases. These people are so sure of themselves that A) they think no one will disagree with them and B) if there is that rare person who disagrees, he/she is a monster and they are willing to forgo the business.
One thing I just thought of. You take a taste of your coffee, make a face, and hand it back. "I didn't order any politics in my coffee, can I have one without?"
May '12
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
I'd likely have said "I feel for your friend. I like Scott Walker well enough, but think Wisonsinites could have found someone else who could've been a little tougher on the wasteful spending in that state. Maybe next election we'll both get our wish and the state will get someone serious about trimming the worthless fat."
Perhaps I'd have left the store wearing the coffee and a grin. :)
Dec '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Point of information: dedicated union leaders always address each other as "Brother" and "Sister" in any union-related discussions and correspondence. My Dad was president of his local and a longtime member of the county Central Labor Council. Many's the time I heard him addressed as "Brother Creque." of course, if the coffee shop lady isn't in a union or the owner of a unionized shop, she probably just used "brethren" because someone told her "comrades" was passé.
May '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Welcome to the kakistocratic Peoples Republic of Illinois. Where corrupt politicians the world over come to study at the feet of the masters.
Enjoy the ubiquitous video surveliance cameras. Avoid the flash mobs. Wear your flak jacket if you go out, and enjoy your visit.
Aug '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Songwriter
das_motorhead
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."
Wait - what about when you sing the hymn, "Brethren, We Have met to Worship"???
In our updated, gender-neutral hymnal it's now "Peoplen, We Have Met to Worship".
Aug '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
They're not using "Sibling" yet?
Feb '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Refugees from Wisconsin? I think she has that backwards. Jobs and residents are fleeing Illinois and joining our better-governed neighbors in Wisconsin and Indiana. Perhaps if we had a Scott Walker of our own here in Illinois I wouldn't be leaving Chicago and heading to Dallas.
Dec '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
"Guruforhire
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?"
While it may seem unlikely, for anybody that has ever read a comment of mine, I agree with Guru. Ricochet is probably the only place that I am publically disagreeable, anymore. I just don't see that there is any benefit to doing otherwise, in forums where disagreement only generates heat.
I have had a close friend that has known me for more than 20 years accuse me of being a racist, for attending Tea Party events. What's the upside of pushing back against that, when that person already knows me better?
When there isn't a middle ground to challenge, we should probably retreat to courtesy and save our efforts for where they may achieve something.
Becoming calloused towards people that are deeply misguided will impact us, as persons, more than it will ever achieve some political end. I feel sorry for friends, family members, or people that I encounter, that can't clearly see a path to ascendancy as individuals.
Dec '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Liz (the intended card receiver) must be the girlfriend of the blubbering, simp on CNBC who kept crying to his interviewer that "this was the end of democracy." Can you imagine a conservative acting that way on camera? The left attracts the mentally unstable like dung attracts flies.
Dec '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
CJRun: "Guruforhire
I have had a close friend that has known me for more than 20 years accuse me of being a racist, for attending Tea Party events. What's the upside of pushing back against that, when that person already knows me better?
What is the upside to having a "friend" who accuses you of racism for attending a Tea Party event? How do you respond to something so scurrilous? "Well, actually I'm not. Howsa' bout getting a beer."
Jul '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
CJRun, most people never challenge the dedicated left and that often lets them think there is almost no other opinion out there beyond fringe elements. Of course arguing with them is pointless. With that said I usually just twitch and drool when they talk until they become uncomfortable with the whole twitch/drool combo.
Apr '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
I don't know if "in-american" was a typo, but it's an interesting word. My wife works in museums, which has encouraged me to read about the history of museums. In the 1790s and early 1800s, when museums are getting of the ground as a concept in America, they were saturated with politics. Likewise, one's views on Shakespeare, tea parties (the Jane Austen sort, not the SoLs'), and religion could see you subjected to politically motivated violence.
Even limited government enthusiasts can sometimes see politics everywhere. Indeed, as a limited government enthusiast myself, my wife has been known to suggest that I might sometimes be over-aware of the politics of everyday things.
Feb '11
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
It was; I was typing this on my iPhone during an oil change, and auto-complete changed 'un' to 'in'
Sep '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
I agree in most ways with CJRun. I have lost three female friends and two of their husbands secondary to the current strife. I have always been proud of being an openminded southern conservative. I have always had a job. Never allowed peer pressure to choose the color or creed of my friends. I stick to my guns, but always listen thoughtfully.
These five have called me a racist, a homophobe and more. One is a physician, two are architects, one started her own magazine and the other enjoys multiple spa visits and her Country Club. They will not engage in any calm discussion. The Spa Girl who is married to the physician actually sent me a card and a brochure for a local therapist.
So, now I just ask people like the coffee dude " Why?" Guess what? They usually don't know why.
Sep '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Andrew: I agree in most ways with CJRun. I have lost three female friends and two of their husbands secondary to the current strife. I have always been proud of being an openminded southern conservative. I have always had a job. Never allowed peer pressure to choose the color or creed of my friends. I stick to my guns, but always listen thoughtfully.
These five have called me a racist, a homophobe and more. One is a physician, two are architects, one started her own magazine and the other enjoys multiple spa visits and her Country Club. They will not engage in any calm discussion. The Spa Girl who is married to the physician actually sent me a card and a brochure for a local therapist.
So, now I just ask people like the coffee dude " Why?" Guess what? They usually don't know why. · 11 hours ago
Its the Truman Show; they're the stars, and we're outside the bubble.
May '10
Re: Coffee Shop Altercations
Humor 'em:
"Dear Liz,
"Sorry to hear about your loss. Enjoy the budget surplus.
"Regards, Mollie"