This just happened to me!

[Kahz]

So this is the story. The neighborhood where I live in is quite diverse in its ethnic composition. Very nice place to live in, very low crime rate, nice people, trees, dogs running around, etc.



Anyway, I just went to a convenience store located quite close to where I live. The store was empty except for the lady at the counter and myself. I asked her if she had a certain product in existence and she guided me to it. When I returned to the counter to pay she noticed a slight accent and asked me where I was from (all grins). So, I have the habit of playing with people's minds regarding stereotypes and I ask her to guess my nationality. She mentioned about five European countries when I finally told her that I was Mexican (at this point, her grin dropped). Well, I was about to pay for the merchandise and I lifted my sweater to get a bill out of my jean's pocket and she noticed the knife, so the lady asked: "Do you carry a knife because you are Mexican?" (she was not smiling at all) So, I remained calm and I stared at her for about 3 seconds (all these thoughts are speeding through my mind), finally, I replied: "No, I carry it to see what kind of comments I get from stupid people like yourself..." and I walked out the store w/o buying the merchandise.



I am never going in there again. Maybe not the smartest thing to do, but I was angry and also very disappointed at the comment... oh, well...



Stereotypes and knives, not a good combination in some people's minds I guess... geez...



What would other SpyderPeople do in such a situation? Any suggestions?



Kahz

[Hoosierdaddy]

Kahz,

I get strange looks all the time, as I'm sure most who carry do. I use to think I was different, now I know they are. I look at them and think how stupid they are for not having one. I'm a Mechanic and use my knives very often. I've converted many girlfriends to the benefits of carrying knives! I saw Training Day, opening weekend and was almost going to hold up my S/S S/E Police in the Theater but restrained myself. I'm a proud knife carrier! I don't show my knives off like toys, and know that you didn't either. Screw those people that don't understand.

" It's none of my business what other people think of me"

[panguero]

Kahz, Sorry you had such a rude morning. I suppose there is a "stereo type" like that, This past sunday I was showing off a Spydie to a fellow fisherman and he said he had a clipt. Then Tommy said, "I'm a Mexican, of course I have a knife". So that tells me there must be this common misconception out there.

It is never good to fly off the handle, and as you get older and wiser you'll learn to grin and bare it as they say. Or maybe we just get burned out on reacting so ceramoniously at the fools we all have to put up with.

I've done a fair number of "walk-aways" in my day.

Tomorrow is another day. Be cool.

[SpyderNut]

Dear Kahz,
I understand how you feel. I was 'home schooled' my whole life, and whenever we went out in public, it was not uncommon for my bro and myself to carry a few knives. Heck, we didn't think twice about it. We didn't wear them to intimidate people, we wore them because we used them. My dad himself carried at least 4 knives daily, so to us it was never a issue. However, like you mentioned, there are ignorant people out there that assume that, "Oh look! There's another 'militant home schooler'!"
That got old real quick. I learned to just keep my mouth shut, and as the Bible says, 'turn the other cheek'.
By the way, I have 2 sets of Mexican neighbors, and they are a lot better behaved than my 'American' neighbors.

Take care!


Spydernut

"When in doubt, buy two."

[yog]

Very sorry to here about this.
Although I most say that prejudice based and race, religion or culture is thankfully not an issue here in Cornwall, and to be honest I must say that I can't really understand it. I can understand not liking an individual person (one in my office springs imediatly to mind), but to be prejudiced against whole group of people you have never met ?? I'm sorry, I just don't get it. I'm not saying there is no prejudice in Cornwall (we do take the mick out of English people, but only to their faces <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> ), but I've never been aware of prejudice against a racial or religious group.

Living in a very rual area, in fact I still live in the same town I was born in, some might call me naive to such things, if so I think that it is best to be naive.

The only prejudice I experience is in carrying any sort of knife. Not having a gun or knife culture to speak of in this country, any carrying of knives, no matter how small, is generally frowned upon. Luckily living in a rural setting knives are more often seen as tools.

What would I have done in your position ?
Nothing much, but then again I have not been subjected to any sort of sterotyping, other than seen as always eating pasties and drinking beer, but in my case it is true.

Edited by - yog on 12/11/2001 2:22:27 PM

[kraziekurtis]

You should have talked to the manager..or I think you did a good job <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> You probably did a better job than the manager would have done <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

I get stuff like &quot; Why do you buy knives Curtis, are you gonna be a serial killer?&quot; from the people at my school <img src="sad.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

[Kahz]

Thanks guys...

Well, I have had to listen to some very derogatory comments many times in different places about different people (not only in the U.S.). I don't mind kidding around about silly things. I have friends from many different countries and we all kid around with each other when it comes to stereotypes (oh, you should see my &quot;Turbo Donkey&quot;, faster than any car, LOL!). But some comments or attitudes are just plain offensive, especially the way the lady looked at me as if I was some sort of a criminal. I never lost my cool, I did act very calmly and let her know how stupid I thought she was.

Like a friend says: &quot;I am not scared of stupid people because they are stupid, I am scared of stupid people because there are a lot of them!&quot;

It has nothing to do with race, color, etc., it has everything to do with lack of grey matter.

Nevertheless, I will always be a proud and responsible knife carrier. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Kahz

I am not young enough to know everything...

[Lsaulog]

Kahz,

I am really sorry to hear that you had that terrible experience.

Unfortunately, there are some people out there that still believe in stereotypes. Maybe it's because they are not as open- minded, or maybe it's because they just don't know any better.

Florida, especially South Florida, is one big melting pot. Very diverse in demographics and ethnic composition. Sad to say, with all the diversity, you will still find individuals with pre-conceived notions based on skin color, race, gender, etc.

I would have walked out, too. In addition, I would contact the head office of said convenience store to complain.

Well, at least it's nice to know that you carry your Spydie with you where ever you go. I'm still trying to get my wife to understand the concept of EDC! <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

"Hope for the best. Be prepared for the worst. You'll never be disappointed."

[CalypsoKid]

THEY ARE THE WORST KIND!!! THEY SHOULD BE BANNED FROM EVERYWHERE!!! EV-ER-EEE-WHERE!


Those beer swilling pastie eaters<img src="wink.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

~C

Sorry to hear of your experience Kahz. Ignorance abounds, don't take it to heart.

[chinook]

About 31,000 convenience store clerks are shot or stabbed every year. I don't know if the clerk saw your knife first or not. Butt it is a job I would not want, especially the night shift.
It is certainly not an excuse for racially stereotyping someone. Butt it may have been out of fear and not bias.
In any case, I hope you don't waste hours/days/years dwelling on a moment. We love ya. &gt;&lt;g&gt;

Disguised as a responsible adult

[kraziekurtis]

Maybe it would help then if they actually decided to carry a knife and not just let the stereotyped knife carriers carry them ?

[panguero]

Kahz,
Frank Zappa-you heard of him right? He had a lot of great sayings and many quote him often. Here is what Frank had to say about Stupid humans:
Quote: &quot;Some Scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe.&quot;

And Yog?
Beer and doughnuts? Really? I thought that was a Canadian Pastime made famous by Bob and Doug McKenzie.

[Lsaulog]

Wow, don't know how that happened. Didn't even get an error message.

Sorry for the dupe post.

&quot;Hope for the best. Be prepared for the worst. You'll never be disappointed.&quot;

Edited by - lsaulog on 12/11/2001 9:24:18 PM

[Kahz]

Oh, CalypsoKid, I agree with you... LOL! *looks around to find her beer* Where did I put it? Darn! <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Sharp1, yeah, Zappa was good, very good, and those are wise words...

Chinook, I will let it slip, thanks. You have a very valid point there. Thanks for the nice words... *blushing*

KK, you know, that is a good solution, LOL!

Taco-breath Kahz

Andale, andale!!!!

Edited by - Kahz on 12/11/2001 3:02:56 PM

[yog]

Hey CalypsoKid, you are so much dead meat <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

A word of warning. Never buy a pastie from a supermarket, they're the fast food versions that we sell to tourists. The real ones are the ones you buy fresh from bakers or butchers. But the very best ones are the ones your mother makes.

"Walk softly, but carry a big stick."

[Sword and Shield]

That's about the only way to respond to an Uber-Sheeple such as that. Walk away, let them wonder why...

Keepin' it real...real sharp, that is.

[kraziekurtis]

You could have socked her in the face real fast did a blitz to the security camera and cut the cords on it before it coulda got a good shot of your face <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>


Just kidding of course...violence is NOT a good thing!

[ruxton]

sorry to hear about your experience kahz,
hey yog i'm vegetarian but i make up for the lack of pasties by drinking double the amount of beer!! <img src="tongue.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>
MAT

[rico]

Kahz, Sorry to hear about that. There will always be ignorant people around. Just think of all your friends, that will ease some of the frustration. rr

[fnhp35]

SpyderNut, A fellow Homeschooler, eh? No one everthought I was a militant Homeschooler cuz I carried a knife, they just thought that when I started talking about guns and the military ;-).

Sorry that happened to ya Kahz, but like Chinool said, it may have been outa fear, but still, no excuse for her actions. Yeah, vote with your money, don't every go back, and call up the management and tell them that. Anyway, sorry, but I wouldn't dwell on it.

Andrew

[Ashram]

Suggestions...I for the most part carry my blades on my pants waist(next to a belt-loop, above my right rear pocket. It is still handy, yet keeps it out of the wandering eyes of &quot;idiots&quot;. Not quite as handy as on the pocket, but alot less attention grabbing. Thats my thoughts anyways.

[SpyderNut]

Well it's good to hear from you too, FNHP35!
Yup, I'm a good ole' home 'teached' kid.
I've never been in a public or private school in my life. Yessiree! I enjoyed it, and I am now going to college. Talk about a shock! I found out what 'homework' was!!


Kahz, you were in the right on that one. Don't let some narrow-minded biggot get in your hair. You take care, and try not to take it personally.

Spydernut

&quot;When in doubt, buy them.&quot;

[J Smith]

I thought thats why you liked knives,being Mexican and all.
Just kidding.
sorry about the expereance I don't have to put up with any stange looks or anything.Here everybody aleast males carry a knife of some sort.Plus I know a few females that carry all the time.I realy don't know why people think it is strange for a female to carry a knife don't women need to cut things just as much as men?

Jeff

[Jeff/1911]

Kahz,

I was just wondering...what knife did she see?

Jeff/1911.

[Gary]

Hey Kahz!

You can come into my store any time and I will treat you, and your knife, well. Oh... I don't have a store!

It's too bad that some people don't get it. I'll bet she was watching CNN and can't figure why we don't just nuke Afghanistan, or the entire mid-east. Biggotted DOPE!!

Keep smiling... there's more of us than them!

Gary

"The Price of Greatness is Responsibility" - Winston Churchill

[Kahz]

Jeff,

Thanks to all who have responded. I have recuperated from the incident. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Knives will always rock.

Jeff, she saw the clip and top part of my Native II. So, she actually didn't see the whole thing, but she might have been familiar with the Spyderco clip. Oh, well... too bad for her if she can't enjoy knives as much as we do. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Kahz, SpyderLady Galore!

[sal]

Hey Kahz.

&quot;If they knew better, they'd do better&quot;. Be glad you're above that BS.

&quot;There are more horses a$$es than there are horses&quot;.

sal

[Kahz]

Sal,

You just reminded me of a funny thing I read. Here's the link for everyone to enjoy:

http://www.rencentral.com/sept_vol1/horsesass.shtml

Kahz

[earthworm]

Kahz;My apologies on behalf of us gringos.
Re stereotypes:I'm an East Tennessee hillbilly so I'm not supposed to wear shoes,carry a flintlock muzzleloader,chew tobacco constantly &amp; be illiterate.As a male nurse I'm supposed to be gay.As an NRA member I'm supposed to to be to the right of Rush Limbaugh.*Sigh*
Good point on the dangers of working ina convience store.Police Bookshelf(Massad Ayoob's company)sells a nice shop-type apron that's Level 3 Kevlar &amp; would be appropriate(if perhaps a bit old fashioned-looking) wear behing the counter.Just a thought...*G*

[sal]

Thanx, Kahz. funny story.

sal

[Brian]

Kahz, you are too cool for words to describe.
You handled yourself in a very responsible,
correct fashion, also,
militant homeschoolers unite!

&quot;So many knives, so little income&quot;

[Brian]

Sorry, that last one is somewhat out of character for me, but I will tell you no lies, I am a homeschooled graduate, and am VERY proud of it. To this day I look at the district I live in and shudder at the thought of what my life would have been, (huge sigh of relief) if I had stayed in the public system, I would not have been introduced to Spyderco if I hadn't been homeschooled! So &quot;militant&quot; might have been the wrong word but still,
homeschoolers unite!

&quot;So many knives, so little income&quot;

[Kahz]

Thank you, everyone. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> Brian, those are nice words. Sal, glad you enjoyed the tale. <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle>

Kahz

[Rookie]

SpyderNut, FNHP35, and Brian are all homeschooled, I never knew that. I'm a homeschooler to <img src="smile.gif" width=15 height=15 align=middle> To this day I look at the district I live in and shudder at the thought of what my life would have been, (huge sigh of relief) if I had stayed in the public system. Who else is homeschooled?


In the land of knives, Spyderco is king.

Edited by - Rookie on 12/16/2001 9:33:33 AM