When politeness backfires

nobody@vox.com(Megan) — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 08:59:12 -0600

I just had the weirdest experience.

It was about 9:30 and I decided to make a run at the grocery store to pick up the few things on my shopping list. I walked out the back door of my apartment building, and standing just outside was a man having a cigarette (my building is non-smoking, so smokers have to go outside to light up).

As I passed by him, I smiled and said "Good morning." He looked at me and said "What did you say?"

"I said 'Good morning," I replied. That's when things got unnerving.

"Are you talking to me?" I nodded. "Why'd you say that? Why?" he responded, sounding angrier and angrier.

At this point, I decided to just keep walking and ignore him. It seemed the safest bet at that point as I was a little worried that perhaps this guy was slightly unhinged, and I wasn't sure what he was going to do.

He continued to yell after me, and finally I turned and said "I was just trying to be polite, sir. I'm sorry." And I walked a little faster towards the grocery store, looking over my shoulder the whole time. He just stood there, staring at me.

If I ever see him again, I will be sure to give him a wide berth.

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elbowglitter

When politeness backfires