Clerk threatened to kill me at local Tread Quarters Discount Tire Store...

As much I am a fan of the USA, I think that there is a massive issue with violence and also with people's views on entitlement and freedoms.

All too often people get killed and seriously hurt due to others defending THEIR rights under the American Constitution.

There seems to be a huge fear and a constant battle to defend ones rights. It's not something that we are used to here in Europe and as such, sometimes we find it difficult to comprehend.

For example, I recently discussed with a friend the fact that there were 4 couples and their children at a BBQ (cookout etc) and 3 couples out of the 4 were carrying guns! The couple that I know didn't carry a weapon, as it's not the norm to do so, and even still, they were at a BBQ and didn't feel the need to carry a weapon at such an event. Where we come from, weapons are used for shooting birds only. I asked why the others had guns on them and was told that it was their constitutional right to carry them, so they exercised the right. Its just not something that most people in Europe get.

I feel that a lot if things in the US could be better dealt with by walking away rather than staying to defend rights, which inevitably results in someone getting hurt.

 

Some people just can't handle it when their judgement and/or "facts" are called into question. In my experience, people will often repeat themselves when questioned. Others will ask their superiors for guidance/clarification. Some will get belligerent, as was the case described in this thread. And in many instances, what they just insisted were the "facts" or the "policy" will change in a matter of seconds once you point out they are are clearly wrong.

I once went to a police station to ask for the details of an arrest. The person behind the counter said, "We don't release police reports." I said that I was not asking for the report, I was asking for police blotter information. I proceeded to show her a copy of the applicable law (which she was in clear violation of), and she got an officer to talk to me. I asked the officer if he could clarify the law with the person at the front desk. He said that he would, although I have no way of knowing if that actually happened.

Even police are often ignorant of the laws they are trained to enforce, or will misrepresent the law in order to intimidate/manipulate suspects. When a cop pulls you over and asks, "Do you know how fast you were going?", he or she is most likely trying to get you to admit to a violation. They do this knowing that what you say can be used against you in court, as Miranda rights do not apply to traffic stops. Very sneaky, arguably unethical, but legal nonetheless. I once had a cop ask me, "Why are you driving so erratically?" I told him that I didn't care to discuss it. This took the officer aback, but my response was quite effective, as he didn't write me a ticket. Moreover, he probably knew that the citation would not stand up in court anyhow, and that I was smart enough to fight the ticket (which I would have done by mail, which most people don't know about).

People must know their rights, or they will likely get trampled over. At the same time, we need to use good judgement and choose our battles. From what I can tell, the OP did the right thing by getting himself out of the situation. He may have had the right to "stand his ground", but made a better & wiser choice instead.

 

Maybe he was having a very bad day and you unknowingly pushed him over the edge. We all have been there. Two sides to every story.

 

Attempted assault on a clerk your lucky he didn't bring charges.

1. Assault - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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   In common law, assault is the act of creating apprehension of an imminent harmful or offensive contact with a person. An assault is carried out by a threat of ...
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Mike,

I was not there, but it looks like the clerk's superiors need to check if he's had a history of anger management. Confrontations are part of customer service and that clerk should not have that job if he can't deal with it better. At the very least, the clerk needs a serious talk and put on notice - I'd probably do a small suspension, too. If it's been recurring, dismiss him.

You can't "educate" him out of an attitude.

 

It sounds to me like you were doing a bit of interrogation and increased the stress level of the dialogue intentionally. When you had a badge, many people would just take it out of respect (or fear) of your position of authority. Without that authority, you will find more people who are willing to meet your level of force with an equal or greater level of force as there are many people who are unwilling to walk away from an argument.

With regard to carrying a gun, I often carry mine. They are for the situations that won't allow me to walk away or for when I'm the only thing between a threat and my family. Situational awareness and choosing to avoid sketchy locations/people will prevent most problems, but not all.


Not a Dalek

 

That is quite likely. Someone who responds like that to a slightly stressful encounter likely often responds poorly.

I didn't articulate clearly into last post, I don't think you were aggressive or hostile, just that you presented a challenge and that the stress of that caused the clerk to lash out.


Not a Dalek

 

i wouldn't want to be management when he comes back postal.

 

Pointing is not an attempted touching or contact, reaching out to grab someone is and he would have every right to respond in kind.

 

It's probably for the best you seem like an angry person and after correcting you in my last post I had no intention in answering any of your further troll baits.

 

I hope the op didn't say "Do you know who I am?" at any time? Saying that to me was 100% guaranteed to result in zero service.

 

Did it ever occur to you that he might been thinking the exact same thing?

 

To me there was no reason this situation should of escalated, and it was the OP that did all the escalating.

The clerk...originally said "We don't do Trailer Tires"...that should of been the end of it. You don't think that is the right answer? Go home and write a letter to corporate specifically about that response...but go home.

Demanding that the service be done. Demanding a receipt BEFORE services are rendered. Going home...dwelling on it, changing your mind..coming back, then for no real good reason continuing to communicate with the clerk?

It's a $4.00 service? That you agreed to pay for. The fact that it used to be free, or you've had it done for free in the past? Immaterial. You were told upfront it was going to be $4.00 and you agreed. If you thought it should be free or covered under a 4 year old warranty? Then you should of said so upfront or left and gone home and complained to headquarters then.

The clerk should NOT of used the verbal phrase "I'll kill you" but it sounds to me by this point the OP had him pretty upset. It was the OP that admits to making a PHYSICAL move towards the clerk first. After or as the clerk is trying to tell him to leave the store.

Sorry...I side with "Robert "I don't do Trailer Tires" Whatever his last name is".

There is no reason this situation should of escalated...and IMO it was the OP that kept facilitating the escalation.

 

Electric me is correct, the aggression in this thread is pinning the needle, chillaxe

Chances are the clerk has a similar thread going....somewhere

 

Be nice to hear the other side/rest of the story.

 

As apposed to the arrogance of the minority in charge you mean?