Politely asking stranger to stop clicking retractable pen. Am I out of line?

[brigden]

I'm in a coffee shop. The gentleman immediately adjacent to my table has been annoyingly clicking the shit out of his retractable pen, while on a call, for several painful minutes.

I waited for him to end his call and politely asked him to stop. He responded with attitude; an incredulous look and testily challenged, "Why?"

"Because it's obnoxious. I'm asking you to please stop."

"I'll see what I can do; if I can remember to stop."

"Please do. Thank you."

He looked at me as if I just tore off his mother's head and took a shit down her throat.

Was I out of line? I certainly don't think so.

 

[surfsatwerk]

My pen, my rules.

 

[lxskllr]

I'd have just dealt with it. I find people irritating in general, and that wouldn't have particularly stood out. You asked politely, but he had no obligation to comply, other than not being a dick, but people like being dicks. It's what they do best.

 

[KeithTalent]

People have no concept of those around them anymore and do not give a shit about anyone but themselves. Surprised he responded as nicely as he did to be honest. Of course this is why I almost always have earbuds in now, even if I don't have anything playing; so many annoying people making annoying sounds.

KT

 

[SlitheryDee]

I hate hate hate hate hate when people do that. I might say something out of reflex, but if I managed to think about it for a second I wouldn't do it. Better to remove yourself from the situation than put yourself in the awkward position of sitting adjacent to an adult you just chastised like a child.

 

[Ns1]

I would have politely told you to go fuck yourself. Emphasis on politely.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Well I guess it would be like if you were in a restaurant and someone at the next table asked you to please stop eating with your mouth open and to please stop the smacking sounds. Would you be offended?

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I would have politely told you to go fuck yourself.

FUCK YOU, I mean that politely. :biggrin:

 

[KeithTalent]

Well I guess it would be like if you were in a restaurant and someone at the next table asked your to please stop eating with you mouth open and to please stop the smacking sounds. Would you be offended?

Ugh, fucking nauseating. I've moved seats because of this.

KT

 

[brigden]

Surprised he responded as nicely as he did to be honest.

I should have been more clear: he gave me big time sass. I'll edit the OP to better reflect his disposition.

 

[brigden]

Well I guess it would be like if you were in a restaurant and someone at the next table asked you to please stop eating with your mouth open and to please stop the smacking sounds. Would you be offended?

If I were caught doing that I would be embarrassed and apologize because I'm an adult and I should know better.

We're maddest when we're caught doing something and we know we're guilty, aren't we?

 

[KeithTalent]

I should have been more clear: he gave me big time sass. I'll edit the OP to better reflect his disposition.

Finger snaps in a Z motion?

KT

 

[Rakehellion]

He clicked his pen and gave you big time sass? How dare he! This never would have happened if Romney were president.

 

[Schfifty Five]

You were not out of line.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I'd probably have broken his pen and handed him a ten spot saying, "sorry, I slipped."

 

[Rakehellion]

Your only solution.

 

[SandEagle]

you should point your phone at him. let him think he is being recorded. mumble things like 'hi youtube' , 'jerk won't stop clicking' , 'penguin looking motherf*****, etc.

 

[zinfamous]

Ugh, fucking nauseating. I've moved seats because of this.

KT

one of our coworkers does this. it's absolutely disgusting, and no one has any clue how to tell him to stop. In fact, same with a coworker several years ago, and all of this guy's colleagues. ...they are all Chinese, actually. :hmm:

Is that common for Chinese people to eat with their mouths open and talk while spilling food all over their faces? Talking about OTB, not Chinese-American folks.

 

[coldmeat]

Next time, ask him if he wants to see a magic trick.

 

[Ns1]

Is that common for Chinese people to eat with their mouths open and talk while spilling food all over their faces? Talking about OTB, not Chinese-American folks.

My chinese roommate (from a poor family) did it. I was
My white office mate (from a rich family) does it. I was

Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason. but w/e, this is why FSM invented IEM's.

 

[zinfamous]

He clicked his pen and gave you big time sass? How dare he! This never would have happened if Romney were president.

No one* sasses Robocop and lives!





*except the alpha guy described in the OP.

 

[T9D]

I want to punch people who do that over and over and over and over. Or anything with no regard to others around them. Just shows what inconsiderate people they are when they go ahead and flip you attitude. You had to expect that, I mean they are the type of people who don't care about others around them in the first place. So obviously they are going to be difficult. Same type of people who let their kids scream in your face and jump on your table.

 

[NFS4]

Did he look like this?

 

[Aikouka]

one of our coworkers does this. it's absolutely disgusting, and no one has any clue how to tell him to stop.

If you wanted to avoid actually communicating and telling him that it's not a socially acceptable practice, consider the more amusing approach... perform the same action but at an exaggerated scale. In this case, make sure to go as far as spitting items out of your mouth while trying to talk. Hopefully, when they have pieces of food hitting them, they will realize how disgusting it is.

 

[SandEagle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuq2KO2JYs8