I decided to run to Meijer for some chicken wings during my lunch hour. I stopped going to Wal-Mart since they started putting a person outside asking if you had your mask. Now, I have simply said no before and proceed to walk passed but I don't care for a store that tries policing masks, therefore Meijer it is.
This time at Meijer, there is a triangular plastic sign stating that masks are REQUIRED. I simply walked around it and grabbed some wings from the poultry section. The ratio in Meijer is about 80 percent face diaper with plenty of others not wearing masks.
I get to self checkout and I was perhaps standing there for 10-15 seconds when I hear "DIDN'T YOU READ THE SIGN?" I turned to my right and there was a mad diaper with eyes staring at me. I said "Yeah, did you?". This response actually angered him to the point where he took 4-5 steps toward me from the entrance where the sign was."Then where the hell is your mask!?". I took a step towards him to make sure he had the signal that I heard him loud and clear and that he wasn't just going to make a drive-by insult and walk off.
I told him to mind his damn business and keep his distance if he is worried. THIS is where it gets ridiculous.
He calls me a god damn idiot for not wearing a mask. This is when he got within 12 inches of me as he is calling me names. After calling me an idiot and getting pretty much in my personal space, he started to back off and walk the other direction. At this point, I was pretty pissed and rightfully so. So, I said, "Whatever mask wearer". He turns back towards me, this time walking pretty fast and stops dead about 5 inches from my face. He yells"YEAH I AM WHAT OF IT".
This is where for whatever reason, he takes his mask OFF. Pulls it down below his chin and gets within 2 inches face to face. It's clear he is trying to intimidate me. The guy was probably mid 60's and now seemingly willing to start a fist fight over this.
My anger at this took over certainly. I lost my temper. I never say anything to anyone who wears a mask. I always respect peoples space in stores as if to tell them that I understand and respect their choices about a mask and perceived safety.
My temper is pegged. I moved towards him and yell in his face to "MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS!" He almost SCREAMS "THEN WEAR A FUCKING MASK!!". I usually wear a hat so at this point, I move so close to his face the rim of my hat touches his forehead. I said "what the fuck are you going to do about it?"
He then turns away and walks off. I turned back to the self checkout now aware that this was an ordeal for everyone around me. I quietly stand there in line as I hear this asshat talking shit as he walked off.
I got to my car and realized that was a mistake getting to that point and being that angry that I could have got into a damn fist fight with one of these idiots. This whole mask this is out of control. Individuals feel so empowered to police this bullshit that they are willing to confront people comfortably.WAY too comfortably and feel protected and justified.
But, in all of this, there was a clear tell tale. It was more about this guy enforcing this bullshit and trying to control how people behave. He got within inches of my non mask wearing face. He then took his mask OFF. What does that tell you guys about how all of this is perceived? This is a great example of hollow social justice and conformity of power rather than safety. It's 100 percent obvious to me. Gotta go, chicken wings are done.
