Accosted at the grocery store, by an Obama supporter / ACORN? Options

[Hartmann]

So this is not a news story but a personal experience I thought I would share.

I was going to Kroger and as I am walking in a man wearing an Obama / Biden shirt walks up to me and asked if I was registered to vote. I told him I was and said "if I wasn't it is too late anyway". He then proceeded to follow me into the store and ask me if I was voting for Obama. I was not really in the mood to talk politics and decided a smartass response was in order, "I do not vote for people who say 'uh' every third word and changes tonality and speech depending on the audience". At first the guy gave me the ugliest look but decided he was going to keep it up, he followed me to the produce section and said "That is not a good reason not to vote for someone".

At this point I wanted to curse at the guy but instead said "Well, in that case, I am not voting for him because I do not see the logic in proclaiming that we will be better off by increasing the deficit, taxing the better off, and redistributing wealth in America. The last thing I want is more government spending". He got the point and finally left me alone.

I told the manager that I felt it was inappropriate for this person to follow me into the store and continue to question me. I have no problem with these people signing folks up to vote, but I do have a problem with moves that this guy had made. If a person is going to inform people on voting I do not think they should have any affiliation to a candidate or a party, that can be done at a different time.

[Inferia]

So this is not a news story but a personal experience I thought I would share.

I was going to Kroger and as I am walking in a man wearing an Obama / Biden shirt walks up to me and asked if I was registered to vote. I told him I was and said "if I wasn't it is too late anyway". He then proceeded to follow me into the store and ask me if I was voting for Obama. I was not really in the mood to talk politics and decided a smartass response was in order, "I do not vote for people who say 'uh' every third word and changes tonality and speech depending on the audience". At first the guy gave me the ugliest look but decided he was going to keep it up, he followed me to the produce section and said "That is not a good reason not to vote for someone".

At this point I wanted to curse at the guy but instead said "Well, in that case, I am not voting for him because I do not see the logic in proclaiming that we will be better off by increasing the deficit, taxing the better off, and redistributing wealth in America. The last thing I want is more government spending". He got the point and finally left me alone.

I told the manager that I felt it was inappropriate for this person to follow me into the store and continue to question me. I have no problem with these people signing folks up to vote, but I do have a problem with moves that this guy had made. If a person is going to inform people on voting I do not think they should have any affiliation to a candidate or a party, that can be done at a different time.

Anyone could buy a tshirt. I don't think you help the matter by probing the guy, you are too to blame for the matter.

[Hartmann]

Anyone could buy a tshirt. I don't think you help the matter by probing the guy, you are too to blame for the matter.

How am I to blame? Because I made a sarcastic remark? Give me a break. He asked if I was registered to vote and I answered that question, that should have been the end of the conversation.

This guy wasn't by himself, he had a table set up and there were two others with him. The manager had said they were allowed to be outside to "campaign" but he agreed the guy should not have come into the store.

It's fine for me to be followed in to the store?

Had they simply asked if had I considered Obama for President or something, I would have given a simple "No thank you" and been on my way, but apparently, after I answer a question and walk into a store it is not alright for me to give a sarcastic answer to someone harassing me?

Oh, and had it been a McCain person I would have probably given a very similar reply and definitely would have reported it to the manager. It is unacceptable for things like this to happen.

[Inferia]

How am I to blame? Because I made a sarcastic remark? Give me a break. He asked if I was registered to vote and I answered that question, that should have been the end of the conversation.

This guy wasn't by himself, he had a table set up and there were two others with him. The manager had said they were allowed to be outside to "campaign" but he agreed the guy should not have come into the store.

It's fine for me to be followed in to the store?

Had they simply asked if had I considered Obama for President or something, I would have given a simple "No thank you" and been on my way, but apparently, after I answer a question and walk into a store it is not alright for me to give a sarcastic answer to someone harassing me?

Oh, and had it been a McCain person I would have probably given a very similar reply.

Right or wrong, your sarcastic remark didn't help your situation. It is alright to say whatever you want, but if you say a sarcastic remark, then chances are you're going to get more of it. It doesn't matter who said it to you, Obama person or McCain person. I was at the MSU vs. OSU game, my BF went to OSU so he was wearing an OSU shirt. This guy came up to him and asked him if OSU is going to loose, he said we'll see. If he made a smart alack remark about it, there would've been more problems.

[Spectatrix]

I agree that the guy's behavior was unacceptable, but Inferia does have a point that the guy may have been acting on his own rather than being officially affiliated with the campaign. Regardless, following someone around like that should constitute harassment and the guy was WAY out of line.

[Hartmann]

Yeah, I do not know if he was officially with the campaign or an affiliated organization but they had a table set up outside of the store.

I am going to write a letter to the Obama campaign to see if I get a reply.

[Hartmann]

Right or wrong, your sarcastic remark didn't help your situation. It is alright to say whatever you want, but if you say a sarcastic remark, then chances are you're going to get more of it. It doesn't matter who said it to you, Obama person or McCain person. I was at the MSU vs. OSU game, my BF went to OSU so he was wearing an OSU shirt. This guy came up to him and asked him if OSU is going to loose, he said we'll see. If he made a smart alack remark about it, there would've been more problems.

To a point I will agree with you. Had his initial question been "Have you thought about voting for Obama?" I would have simply said "Oh, no thank you". Instead he asked me a completely off-the-wall question, which I answered in a polite manner (IMO) and then followed me into the store to follow-up. That's where I draw the line. Once you're in the store, I do not have to go along being polite and PC, I'm stimulating the economy, leave me alone.

I like that I have to justify myself while someone follows other people into grocery stores.

[woody]

should have said you're voting for mccain to keep the black man and all his criminal relatives out of office

[pysex]

Stephen is right though. I had my own experience like this.

I was accosted by an Obama supporter trying to "recruit" people outside of Whole Foods. The guy walks up to me and asks if I was registered to vote. I told him I was and then he asked politely who I was voting for. I saw the pin on his shirt (Obama/Biden) and I said,"Not for Obama". Then the asshole literally stood in front of me in front of the entrance and asked me "Why?". I told him I don't have to explain why and had to sidestep him to get inside. The guy followed me proclaiming in a loud voice how amazing Obama was. After a few minutes of ignoring him he said "FUCK YOU" and started to walk back outside. I was so fucking pissed I went to the management and told them about the guy's actions and threatened to call the police. The manager was very apologetic and did not expect that these recruiters would act in that manner. The manager gave me a $100 dollar gift certificate and a free lunch.

Obama voters are classy people. Real classy.

[Seeker]

obama is known for his voting SS

a swift kick to the balls would have solved all problems

[Spectatrix]

Obama voters are classy people. Real classy.

Eh, there are douchebags on all sides. *shrugs*

But yeah, people who act like that are fucking lame.

[Oasis]

That's an excellent idea. Buy an Obama shirt and go around acting like an overbearing dickhead and turn people off voting for him

Where can I buy an Obama shirt?

[Inferia]

That's an excellent idea. Buy an Obama shirt and go around acting like an overbearing dickhead and turn people off voting for him

Where can I buy an Obama shirt?

There, you were unknowingly approached by a McCain supporter...

[woody]

or 1 of 4 types of nader supporters
or 1 of 4 types of barr supporters

etc

This post has been edited by woody: Oct 20 2008, 11:52 AM

[THECHICKEN]

Any asshole talking politics without my consent can look forward to an assholeish Sarcastic remark. The fuck if i care about thier feelings.