Just slapped someone up-side the head...

[speeder]

What a great day I'm having. Again I was going to take my dog in to put him to sleep, (he's crippled w/ degenerative myolapathy), but I could not bring myself to do it plus I have plans tonight and know that I would be a bloody mess for days afterwards. Have to plan-out some stay-at-home time after doing the deed.

So I got off work early today and was out in the Porsche and stopped by a glass company to look at mirrors, I need a full-length to replace one that my dog broke a long time ago, ironically. I've been to the other branch of this company before and was impressed with the service. Immediately upon pulling into the "ghetto branch" today I could see that it was a little different, no showroom and some guys cooking on a hot plate in the shop for starters. No biggie, they have glass. I go in and inquire about a door mirror and the guy who seemed to be the boss tells me that he can sell me a new one or cut a perfect used one from some salvage mirror for a "great price". I say fine, lets see the used stuff.

The first piece he brings in is clearly sun-damaged once we get it on the table, but he insists that it's fine. I'm having one of those, "am I on Candid Camera"? moments until his worker points out the (very obvious) damage. No sweat, we get another piece that's better but this transaction is not going well because now the guy is a used-car salesman. He was lying to my face while we both looked at the damaged glass. (It was not subtle).

After we get it cut, I go in the office w/ him to pay, and he's upped the cash price a few bucks even thought the piece of mirror is slightly smaller than originally discussed. This is weird, is he on crack? He pulls out a price book and starts showing me Sq. ft. charts, I tell him that it's irrelevant. He already quoted me a price. I decide it's not worth the battle and just pay the guy $60.00 instead of $54. I want out of this place.

His worker carries the mirror out to the 996 to see if it will fit in passenger seat w/ it reclined all the way. It would have, but getting it in was awkward and unfortunately he scratched the tint pretty badly on my passenger window before I could even stop him or open my mouth. I did not lose my temper, but pointed it out to him. He was polite and did not say anything. We scrapped the operation and I decided that I would have to come back w/ a different vehicle. I was silently pissed about the tint, calculating that it was going to cost me the price of the mirror + time off work to get it fixed. This is the part of the story where I could be in the wrong, I let him attempt to load it. I'm open to that.

What happened next is where things got strange. I sat in my car and stewed for a minute, then went back into the office to see what the manager guy thought about the scratched window. I had a feeling he was not going to be very agreeable and I was right. As we were carrying out the mirror 10 minutes prior, he had a buddy show up and they were now in the office shooting the bull. I walked in and after a pause interrupted them. (It was clear that he was ignoring me). I told him that his worker scratched my tint, he basically told me "tough schit" in so many words. He told me to take it up w/ the worker(?), that did not make sense to me. (This is a long established business in LA). He then told me that I should have been watching the guy load it. I told him that I was, and that I watched him scratch my car. At that point, his tone changed and he took 3 steps right up deeply into my "personal space", (in my face), not sure exactly what he was saying because in an instant I pimp-slapped him w/ my right hand w/ sufficient force that he sort of break-danced into a bent-over position, ass facing me. His buddy, ( a large guy), grabbed my arm and told me to cool down, (or something), the whole scene was surreal as I half-expected the guy to come up w/ a gun and shoot me. He was bent over near the floor safe where he broke my hundred a short time earlier.

I cannot remember all the details, but his employees were strangely not completely shocked or traumatized by the pimp-slapping. i really wanted the guy to come up swinging, but of course no dice there.

Went back out to car and got in, then decided that I really did not want to come back to this place later to collect mirror so I went back into office and made him give me my $$ back. Again I thought of getting shot, but he gave back the dough no questions asked. He actually got a lot nicer after the head-slap.

I'm not sure what to make of it other than the fact that this guy had a strange way of doing business. I had a similar experience years ago, almost like the guy knew that he deserved it. The other employees didn't rise up on me, like they knew what an ass hole this guy is. I'm really, really glad that I only slapped him, it was a proportional response. Knocking teeth out would have been wrong, and I would possibly be posting this from jail. I thought twice about posting this on the interweb, but the guy stepped into my face in a "not friendly" way and I definitely felt threatened.

Weird day, still feel like crap but glad this place is here to vent.

[Tobra]

You need to spill the name, save us the similar grief.

I would have probably head butted him if he was up in my grill like that, and you did not go to jail for kicking some loser's ass, so I say good day.

[gprsh924]

That's pretty crazy. I recently got into a yelling match at an American Eagle store after they refused to return my jeans that I had only worn once before that had torn completely through on the bottom. However, I did not slap the female manager, merely told her "f u". Glad it worked out alright for you.

[nostatic]

was his name "Bush"?

[dipso]

Sorry about the dog, man. I've gone through 3.

[speeder]

Swartz Glass company, Beverly Blvd. location. I've previously been to the Santa Monica shop where an elderly guy was in charge and was treated fine. He was gentleman, in fact.

Very strange. I even asked the guy today if they were connected to the other Swartz Glass, he said yes.

[Steve Carlton]

I can appreciate your situation, but I think the one who first makes physical contact is the one who's in the wrong, legally. He may have been able to press battery charges against you. And even if he hit back, I think you'd still be the one in trouble.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

I can appreciate your situation, but I think the one who first makes physical contact is the one who's in the wrong, legally. He may have been able to press battery charges against you. And even if he hit back, I think you'd still be the one in trouble.

Not exactly correct. If I am charging you with fist cocked, you can legally swing away. When you are in a verbal argument and someone changes the tone and steps into your face, you do not have to wait for them to sucker-punch you.

[widgeon13]

Why would you slap him? I can't understand your thinking on that behavior. What did you expect to accomplish.

Sorry you day hasn't gone better.

[Racerbvd]

Sorry about your dog, I know how hard that is
sometime you just have to take action, some people don't understyand anything else.

[Steve Carlton]

So, did he charge you with fist cocked or step into your personal space?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

sorry about your dog and your day. I think you did the right thing.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Why would you slap him? I can't understand your thinking on that behavior. What did you expect to accomplish.

Sorry you day hasn't gone better.

When some ass hole steps into your face during a tense discussion, it is not a pipe-smoking academic moment of scholarly reflection.

"Expect to accomplish??"

Jeezus...

[nostatic]

obviously you should have charged it instead of paying cash

[450knotOffice]

Interesting story. It's sad that there are still so many business' out there that run so dishonestly. It seems to me that the guy decided he was going to "take" you from the beginning.

As for your dog, I feel for you. I just went through this scenario last Fall. However, when it was time, we called our vet and asked him to come over, which he did gladly. There was no way that I wanted my poor old girl to have to spend the last few moments of her life anywhere but in her home, on her bed, with my wife and I holding and hugging her. It was the best way.

You really should consider the same. You'll feel so much better about it, and so will your beloved dog.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

So, did he charge you with fist cocked or step into your personal space?

What are you putting me on trial here? I told the story above. I'm comfortable with my legal position regarding the ass hole, and he deserved at least what he got. He was uninjured, and for some strange reason did not feel like calling the cops. Imagine that.

I was trying to clarify self-defense law for you. You are incorrect if you believe that you must wait for someone to strike you before defending yourself. Was his fist cocked? How would I know? He was 3 inches from my ******* face. Get a clue, Steve.

[450knotOffice]

And naysayer's be damned, in the dynamic situation you described, I think you handled it pretty well. So many people today seem to think that if they start getting lound and mean looking and get right into your face, that you'll simply back down and see it there way through intimidation. Classic bully tactics. This guy got what he deserved,

[speedracing944]

It seemed to work. Good for you. Nothing like a good pimp slap to make you check yourself before you wreck yourself.

Speedy

[widgeon13]

I must have missed something here, sorry about your day. I'm outta here.

I only asked a simple question.

[nostatic]

Denis is Irish.

'nuf said