I encountered some ignorance at the grocery store today!

[wheelgun28]

I wasnt going to post this but, anyhow. Wearing PD named items can have repercussions too. I while back a friend had given me a NYPD knit hat, nice and warm. I would wear it here and there when it was cold out. One day my friends and I were out of state (no ccw) we went on a sporting clay shoot. We stopped for lunch where we often do. Well I was wearing that NYPD hat, rude I know but I had hat head and it wasnt hot inside. My friend were wearing other hat one was a FD hat from his department and another had a different PD hat on. Long story short, a customer sees us, I see him looking add at me, he gets a blank look on his face as we make eye contact. Then makes for the door fast, not running but quick. I was confused by his actions at first as it was very odd. When I told my friends they guessed he didnt want to be near cops for whatever reason. He must have thought we were cops, I am told I"look like a cop" what ever that means, hair cut clean shaved?

I think how this could have gotten bad fast, none of us are PD, none of us were carrying. I put that hat away...

 

[labworm]

So which group beats you up, the EYErish or the EYEtalians?

Can't say for sure, but it is only about a 3 minute ride to the Mass General Hospital.

 

[therevjay]

I have a "Colt" T-shirt and a "S&W" sweatshirt. Both birthday gifts. No one has ever made any comment about the S&W, and the only person who said anything about the Colt shirt thought it was about a football team.

I have had a nasty comment about my "US Army retired" T-shirt, from a very socialy concerend person who felt that was (as she said) "nothing to brag about."

I just got one I REALLY like. "Don't be afraid 'cause I look weird. The voices are telling me not to hurt you.......Yet

 

[Knightrider03m]

I hate when people say dumb **** like that. However maybe she was just joking. But I, along with others on this site do not wear anything that is gun related. In fact, I just got a NRA hat in the mail, I Just throw it in the trash and went on about my day

 

[madmikeb]

Well, you were seeking attention when you selected that particular shirt to wear, weren't you?

If you choose to wear a Harley shirt, a political shirt, a concert shirt, any shirt or jacket with a logo, corporate, political or comedic-you are looking for attention. You expect people will read whatever, right?

So, just as you have an absolute right to wear these things and show the whole world you're a Smith guy (with a Kimber under the shirt-now how sincere was that message, really? ) those who read your ad, your political philosophy, your hobby or whatever you wanted them to see have the right to absolutely despise you for what you say, what you show or for no reason at all. Or, they can give you the thumbs up, a smile, or stop and chat.

Just like it was your choice to wear that particular shirt or hat or jacket, it's their choice whether to respond, and, if they choose to respond, whether to be supportive or hostile, or something in-between.

Although I relegate logo'd hats and shirts to the range, I absolutely support your right to wear them anywhere.

I just think you have no right to act surprised or express hurt feelings when your sought-after attention isn't the kind you expected. If I put on a T-shirt that is very unflattering about our current president, perhaps questioning his birth place, I should probably expect some hostile retorts from certain folks who see it, right?

So, if folks look at you like you have a big bugger sticking out of your right nostril, or like you really need to try a shower once in a while, it's only to be expected. Just like the hugs and kisses from others.

I mean you wanted folks to see/read them, didn't you?

Bob

After reading your diatribe and seeing you make assumptions and jump to conclusions I realized, I bet that was your mom! Seriously though, you don't know me, you don't know where I am coming from, but you make blanket generalizations and think you know what you're talking about? Wow!!!! So let's apply your logic to another scenario, if an attractive woman goes out in public wearing a short skirt and gets attacked, you would say she was asking for it, thats what she gets for advertising?

 

[deerhtr]

This was my reply to a "are you a gun nut" comment at my local walmart. the first amendment gives you the right to ask, the second amendment gives me the right to guns. and i said it in a quiet polite voice with a smile on my face.

 

[straightshooter1]

No, Mike I wouldn't.

What assumptions did I make? You chose the shirt, you expected people to read it, didn't you?

I don't think you expected the reaction you received from the lady, though. Now I admit, this is an assumption based upon you coming out on the short end of the stick with her.

If you don't want to risk similar treatment, don't wear anything controversial (even if YOU don't think it's controversial).

And, if you choose to wear something like that, don't act so upset/surprised when you meet a lady (or man) who speaks to you this way.

BTW, I didn't think it was a diatribe and I didn't intend to insult you either. I didn't even mention your Mom. I did point out that all of this was your choice of apparel and that you chose it because you expected folks to read it (that's the attention part) whether for a good purpose or not.

That's why people have shirts, jackets, caps, etc. with logos, messages, etc. on them-so people will read them.

Some want to look cool, others want to show support (i.e. for the Team), others want to broadcast their view of something and, I am sure, there's a million other reasons (well, maybe not that many) but it all boils down to wanting someone to read or view whatever the person is wearing.

Bob

 

[Shooting Padre]

I have a couple gun related hats which although I really like, I don't wear in public, mostly because I don't want to become a target for a gun thief. I do however have a hat I wear a lot, it says, CIA, Christians in Action. I also wear one quite regularly that says "Jesus Is My Boss" These get all kids of looks, but nobody tries to steal my faith. I am asked to share it once in awhile though. I don't want to share my guns.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Back in the 1960s when it was an "In" thing to wear buttons, I had onemade that read:
"Cannibalism-don't knock it if you haven't tried it!"
Never had anyone take to me to task over it.
Nowadays I maintain a low profile, don't wear t-shirts, even quit wearing my various gun themed belt buckles. Don't feel the need to make statements.

 

[quneur]

A person should be judged by their actions not by the clothing they wear.

I've met people who had their hair in dreadlocks, wearing plaid sweaters and Berkinstocks - that looked they would be comfortable hugging trees but found them very intelligible, friendly and tolerant people.

A person who judges you before even meeting you; I wouldn't want to associate with and wouldn't care what they thought. There is no way I'm going to change their views on a 'discussion' much less with what I'm wearing. Those I am willing to discuss stuff with (I have some very left friends) often don't care what I wear.

So, I wear what I like and what's comfortable.

 

[Strato]

If I wore a Ferrari T-shirt I wouldn't be afraid someone would assume I had a Ferrari in the garage just waiting for them to steal. Now a turtleneck on the other hand...

 

[rocketdog]

The volunteer lady in the radiation lab waiting room loved making a large button for me that says, "SHUT YOUR PIE HOLE!"



The button was made at my request, she didn't just make it and give it to me.

 

[ladder13]

 

[Rancher Will]

I don't have an imprinted shirt. I did have a strange request a few years ago.

I happened to be about 140 miles from home helping one of my sons move cattle. When we finished we went to a little local restaurant for supper. I parked my truck and trailer with my two horses across the road from the restaurant, and walked in to the restaurant still wearing my chaps, spurs and Ruger Blackhawk on my gun belt.

My son was also dressed about the same. His rig was parked next to mine.

The lady manager politely stopped us and said she would prefer that we not wear our chaps and spurs in the cafe. Said they would scratch the furniture. She never mentioned our guns. We took our spurs and chaps off.

 

[sheepdawg]

I like to wear my Memphis Sport Shooting Association cap to the organic grocery store just to get the look. Go to the fruit section and start pointing the bananas at folks, what a great reaction you get from Ms. Prius Driver and the ladies with the Coexist bumper stickers.

Being 6' 3" weighing 285 lbs with a white beard I tell their little crumb crunchers that they ain't getting **** for Christmas either.

 

[jaykellogg]

I think that was probably one of the most ignorant statements anyone has ever made to me.

That would have been my reply.

 

[arjay]

I must be dyslexic.Every time I see a subaru with the coexist sticker,I read it as canoeist ,followed by ***?!

 

[Fishslayer]

I must be dyslexic.Every time I see a subaru with the coexist sticker,I read it as canoeist ,followed by ***?!

I get confused every time I see a Volvo...

 

[PA Reb]

"straightshooter1" said ~ "Baloney, Reb?

Look, you (or whomever) picked whatever you wore, right?
Right you are.

Knew what the message or logo or ... was on it, right?
Yes sir, you're right again.

You liked it, right?
Right yet again.

You knew others would read it, right?
Wrong - I don't wear clothing hoping others will read what may or may not be written on it.

You knew that others might agree with whatever was there, right?
Wrong - I could really care less what others think of logos that may or may not be written on my clothing - its none of their business.

And, in some cases, you kinda wanted to give a little dig to those who might not agree, right?
Wrong again - Its none of their business. They are entitled to their own opinions of what may or may not be written on my clothing or hat but they should keep their opinion to themself.

So, how can anyone complain when the attention they sought did not end up giving them the satisfaction they expected?
I don't seek attention by what my clothing or hat may or may not say so I don't expect any type of satisfaction from it.

Like the OP-the old lady got the better of him, made her statement, left him standing there and walked away (maybe laughing to herself, maybe heading to her anti board to post how she handled some guy with his gunnie shirt) the winner of that little meeting."
If the old bat got her jollies by saying what she said and the OP let her walk away without saying a word, that's entirely the fault of the OP !

In my opinion, this is no different than the anti-smokers making smart azzed remarks to someone that is smoking in an outside area where they aren't bothering anyone - they have a legal right to do as they please without someone harassing them. I smoke and the last time someone walked up to me and told me "that's bad for your health", I immediately told him that "not minding his own business was also bad for his health!" He got the message real quick and walked away with his tail between his legs!

If y'all want to allow these liberal whack jobs to walk all over you, have at it. I personally won't stand for it!

 

[straightshooter1]

Edited my post in response as it would do nothing constructive. I'm out.

bob