How would you have handled this?

Question

I was waiting in line at the convenice store with an older black man being the only person ahead of me. The clerk (a very sweet girl from India) was on the phone trying to complete the call. The older black man turned to me and said something about them coming here and thinking they owned the place. In my shock, I thought I hadn't heard him right but then he nudged me, pointed to the girl and said it again.

I wanted to say no more than my Irish Grandmother when she got here, or the Chinese guy at the restaurant down the street or the black girl who's always on the phone at the store across the street.

Instead I bit my lip and said no more so than anyone else and left it at that.

So... How would you have handled this?

Answer 1

I'd have done similarly, in all actuality. It would not seem the time or the place for a debate, and could have made things even more awkward for the clerk.

In this situation, keeping silent showed respect for the clerk and the store, while at the same time indirectly awarding respect to an elder who you disagreed with.

Answer 2

A very uncomfortable situation for you.I probably would of done what you did only because no reason to argue with anyone without knowing either one of them personally.That is a hard call.

Answer 3

Shows intolerance comes in all people. You did the right thing. No use arguing with him about what a racist he is.

Answer 4

I would have either ignored him or said that she had as much right to be here as either of us.

Answer 5

The same way you did. Don't get into arguments with crazy people.

Answer 6

I would'nt have agreed with him. That's his opinion. I would have completely ignored him.

Answer 7

You did OK. You chose peace.

Answer 8

You handled it perfectly. Probably better then I would have.