"What do you need that weapon for?"

[B.F.U]

Yeah, I was wondering why nobody had said anything... Blatant racism is a little surprising to see on this forum outside of the usual distasteful things said about chinese knifemakers.

I didn't even get it till you said this, like didn't know what that meant. Most expressions of racism are just confusing.

 

[davek14]

Well, now I've read the whole thread and it has been... interesting. Before it began to meander there were many posts about being discrete and that maybe the OP shouldn't been doing what he was doing (maybe true).

While not at work I do whatever I please with my knife (almost). Doing crafts at a park with my knife sitting out wouldn't be out of the question.

While not at work I carry a small slipjoint, maybe 2"-2.5" closed.

It's just so much easier.

 

[Bill Hoffman]

In all the years I've carried a knife, I've never had anyone give me grief
because of it. This in Connecticut, one of the Sheeple capitals of the USA.

 

[kvtcomdo]

That whole "respect your elders" saying is BS. I respect everyone equally, and furthermore I respect anyone who deserves my respect.

No one deserves automatic respect just because they are older than us. They deserve respect if they are well mannered people with good intentions and morals. I have seen many older folks who are unworthy of anyone's respect. If some old lady or ANYONE for that matter comes up to me and starts harassing and trying to lecture me, you can be sure that I will rudely tell them to get away from me.

From the tenor of your comment I suspect that is NOT true.

What must one do to earn that respect? Act like you, talk like you or think as you do.

I come from a different mind set. All deserve and will get my respect until they prove that they are unworthy of same. Hell getting it back after that.

One who has lived well beyond your years and experience deserve more than just respect as they have wisdom we cannot understand until we have reached their maturity.

Societies that have had a reverence for their elderly I believe have one up on the throw away mentality so prevalent in todays society.

BTW, your experience with a choice few should not color a whole generation. Even you know better than that. One could say the same for todays youth; some are despicable characters unworthy of any respect, Some are saints of the earth.

Some also look at respect as FEAR. I suggest they open a dictionary.

One can go through life hating everyone until they show us some worth, or assume everyone has worth until they prove otherwise. I choose the later.

 

[kvtcomdo]

I do agree, I could have handled the situationdifferently. I was calm up until she kept harassing me. I am sorry if I in any way offended you, that was not my intent.

Wise young man.

You will go far as long as your heart is willing and your mind is open.

Good for you.

 

[MrPocketsOfSteel]

If you think that's scary, I was a local park last summer and there were a whole bunch of kids running around swinging some sort of terrifying clubs at some sort of hard ball being thrown at them by another kid! They acted as if it was some sort of game! Imagine my horror when I saw the parents of these youths actually sitting around cheering and clapping for this dangerous activity! It still makes me shudder just thinking about it.

Excellent post.

 

[Quillan]

Most racists are confused, if I may be permitted the license to paraphrase

 

[Comeuppance]

From the tenor of your comment I suspect that is NOT true.
(...)
One can go through life hating everyone until they show us some worth, or assume everyone has worth until they prove otherwise. I choose the later.

I actually agree with the notion I think MMF is hinting at here - automatic respect should not be assigned just because of someone's age. Respect is earned. I respect elders just as much as anyone else inasmuch that they are human beings and deserve a modicum of privacy, space, at-worst-neutral treatment, and dignity.

If a person, regardless of age, gender, or race, came up to me and starting harassing at length me about something innocuous, I would reserve the right to mock the person to their face as they have violated my privacy, personal space, and have begun to treat me negatively without me having done anything to them or anyone else to deserve the treatment.

I have met some real idiots who were two to three times my age. Just because someone has managed the rather meager feat of not dying does not mean they are necessarily wiser or worthy of elevated levels of respect. They are just older. Conversation with them may prove otherwise, but, clearly the woman the OP encountered immediately dismissed all pretenses of being wise; she approached someone who was not being threatening, accused the person of being threatening, felt that she had the right/privilege to admonish the person, and continued at some length. Those are the actions of a relatively unpleasant person, and one would be quite wrong to reward her behavior with polite or shamed acceptance.

Anyone who asserts their superiority over you without just cause or qualification can, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, "fuck right off and die."

 

[Quiet]

I actually agree with the notion I think MMF is hinting at here - automatic respect should not be assigned just because of someone's age. Respect is earned. I respect elders just as much as anyone else inasmuch that they are human beings and deserve a modicum of privacy, space, at-worst-neutral treatment, and dignity.

If a person, regardless of age, gender, or race, came up to me and starting harassing at length me about something innocuous, I would reserve the right to mock the person to their face as they have violated my privacy, personal space, and have begun to treat me negatively without me having done anything to them or anyone else to deserve the treatment.

I have met some real idiots who were two to three times my age. Just because someone has managed the rather meager feat of not dying does not mean they are necessarily wiser or worthy of elevated levels of respect. They are just older. Conversation with them may prove otherwise, but, clearly the woman the OP encountered immediately dismissed all pretenses of being wise; she approached someone who was not being threatening, accused the person of being threatening, felt that she had the right/privilege to admonish the person, and continued at some length. Those are the actions of a relatively unpleasant person, and one would be quite wrong to reward her behavior with polite or shamed acceptance.

Anyone who asserts their superiority over you without just cause or qualification can, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, "fuck right off and die."

Please get out of my head and stop posting exactly what I was about to post (more or less). Thanks! :thumbup:

 

[crimsonfalcon07]

A perhaps important distinction might be to treat everyone politely, but respect only those who have earned it. Acting maturely and politely isn't really for them. It's for you, and a demonstration of your own personal integrity. I'm definitely of the camp that respect is (and must be) earned BUT that doesn't give me free license to act like a jerk to total strangers because I don't know them. It's still my responsibility to act as if I am worthy of respect, and that means I need to act professional, politely, and with class and manners. It's the rare 15 year old who is capable of maintaining that sort of behavior even when provoked, but it's still worth striving for. I'm not saying turn the other cheek. My credo has always been that if someone starts something, I'm going to finish it, but I'll never start it myself.

 

[Metal Made Fox]

I actually agree with the notion I think MMF is hinting at here - automatic respect should not be assigned just because of someone's age. Respect is earned. I respect elders just as much as anyone else inasmuch that they are human beings and deserve a modicum of privacy, space, at-worst-neutral treatment, and dignity.

If a person, regardless of age, gender, or race, came up to me and starting harassing at length me about something innocuous, I would reserve the right to mock the person to their face as they have violated my privacy, personal space, and have begun to treat me negatively without me having done anything to them or anyone else to deserve the treatment.

I have met some real idiots who were two to three times my age. Just because someone has managed the rather meager feat of not dying does not mean they are necessarily wiser or worthy of elevated levels of respect. They are just older. Conversation with them may prove otherwise, but, clearly the woman the OP encountered immediately dismissed all pretenses of being wise; she approached someone who was not being threatening, accused the person of being threatening, felt that she had the right/privilege to admonish the person, and continued at some length. Those are the actions of a relatively unpleasant person, and one would be quite wrong to reward her behavior with polite or shamed acceptance.

This is exactly what I was talking about. You hit the nail on the head. Apparently KVT missed the part in which I state: "I RESPECT EVERYONE EQUALLY."

 

[Metal Made Fox]

One who has lived well beyond your years and experience deserve more than just respect as they have wisdom we cannot understand until we have reached their maturity.

Are you being serious or are you just trying to jerk our chains? I can't even begin to tell you how flawed and untrue that statement is.

 

[coop1957]

There are many people that you cannot reason with. They are better ignored than wasting time on. Nothing is gained or advanced by trying to change their minds. It's not a matter of being self righteous rather it is knowing where to expend your energy.

 

[singularity35]

There are many people that you cannot reason with. They are better ignored than wasting time on. Nothing is gained or advanced by trying to change their minds. It's not a matter of being self righteous rather it is knowing where to expend your energy.

Well spoken sir.

 

[30ZappHappy30]

It is impossible to judge the woman or caleb without knowing exactly what happened. Also, as a fellow teenager, I feel that this makes teens look bad. I actually enjoy when people ask questions like that because it is an opportunity to teach someone about knives. If the woman still insisted on arguing after I explained myself I would simply apologize for any inconveniences I might have caused her and continue my day.

 

[Blackie Scantling]

Most racists are confused, if I may be permitted the license to paraphrase

Hehehe...yeah right. "Confused" about what?

 

[crom]

Wow. Blackie, just stop.

 

[northend816]

See this is my problem with police they always think their right and will not listen to anyone or anything. I know they don't have an easy job at all but not everyone is out to hurt them or get over on them like they think, so they just treat everyone like trash all the time to be sure. 90% of the police ive met are power hungry and hide behind their shield most were kids picked on in school and want some pay back. I know some wont be happy with how I feel and that's fine and your right but nothing will change how I feel but action. I took a poll once on fb by just local people in my town to do and 92% were unhappy and didn't trust our local police, top reason were how they were treated during their interaction with them in basic traffic stops. If I were you I would've taken the ticket and paid for it and reported the cop. Just me though its time they learn they aren't above the law......just my feelings. As for the lady asking about your weapon well I would've been calm as long as I could but sometimes people need to learn the hard way. By her keeping asking you question and calling it weapon after you explained other wise she was disrespecting you why not put her in her place

 

[PURPLEDC]

If you think that's scary, I was a local park last summer and there were a whole bunch of kids running around swinging some sort of terrifying clubs at some sort of hard ball being thrown at them by another kid! They acted as if it was some sort of game! Imagine my horror when I saw the parents of these youths actually sitting around cheering and clapping for this dangerous activity! It still makes me shudder just thinking about it.

Apples to oranges really. Baseball and softball is one of the most popular american pastime. Society accepted and took it under its wing a long time ago. Knives have always been stigmatized to a certain degree. Its not fair but when most people see a baseball bat they think game. Unfortunately most of those same people will see a knife and think weapon. I understand you trying to draw the parallels due to a baseball bat being used in many of violent crime. But most people dont associate the baseball bat with an image of violence and unfortunately they do with a knife. And due to the visual stigma people will always be more comfortable with Americas favorite pastime that they know and love than a teenager making paracord bracelets in a park with a knife. I think what really works against knives is that other tools have surfaced that are just as if not more efficient, accurate and more controllable than a knife. Scissors for thread and rope, a box knife for boxes, etc. We as knife nuts choose a knife due to our love of the tool for whatever reason. And we make that compromise and choose to replace all those specific tools with an all around more primitive option by choice. And to those who dont share that same passion it will puzzle them. Im sure there are things some people do that make you uncomfortable. Its usually because you dont understand it or dont agree with it. Its no different really.

 

[9blades]

A perhaps important distinction might be to treat everyone politely, but respect only those who have earned it. Acting maturely and politely isn't really for them. It's for you, and a demonstration of your own personal integrity. I'm definitely of the camp that respect is (and must be) earned BUT that doesn't give me free license to act like a jerk to total strangers because I don't know them. It's still my responsibility to act as if I am worthy of respect, and that means I need to act professional, politely, and with class and manners. It's the rare 15 year old who is capable of maintaining that sort of behavior even when provoked, but it's still worth striving for. I'm not saying turn the other cheek. My credo has always been that if someone starts something, I'm going to finish it, but I'll never start it myself.

This is an excellent post, and I agree all the way. Respect shouldn't be given, but earned, a showing of common courtesy shouldn't have to be earned, but given to all.