By Jewel Grace, November 7, 2019 — One day at a diner I sat down at the counter with a friend of mine. Also at that counter there sat another man. I introduced myself and he let me know that he didn’t want me talking to him. I was astounded [that] he was so gruff. I was wondering if snitches bring stitches in this part of town, so I said nothing and proceeded to eat my lunch, which had morphed from being a plain chicken platter to one with three pieces of cake. I inhaled the cake, not caring about my meal plan which certainly does not include cake.
I was not at all used to someone imposing such a strong boundary on me. I grew angry but held it in, wishing I could do otherwise. On reporting the incident to the management, I was told to take the high road because the man was drunk and had issues. I wonder if sometimes it isn’t better even for me, to walk away and express myself in words, for my own safety. Besides, it makes a good story.