If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times: When a person straps on a firearm and openly carries, they become a vry visible representative of the entire firearms community (whether they wish to, or not).
This is why I always implore fellow carriers to NOT retort with those witty, smart-aleck, jibes when the general.citizenry makes innocent, but often ignorant, inquiries.
"Is that a real gun?"
"Where's your badge?"
"What department do you work for?"
I'm sure everyone can think up some downright HILARIOUS replies to these questions that we're very likely to encounter, sooner or later.
However, I always thought our goal was to educate the public about the legality of open carry while striving to make it a generally accepted practice.
This is kind of hard to do when alienating people by making them feel stupid, mouthing off with wise comments, and generally being a jerk. Leaving inquiring people to walk away thinking, "Wow. People who carry guns are huge ***holes" is entirely counterproductive to the goal we're striving for.
What I experienced yesterday was a great opportunity. Lot's of people were watching on a busy Sunday morning. Why would I want to throw a hissy-fit, belittle the manager, act like an insulted prima-donna in front of the clientele, and storm out in affront (giving the manager exactly what she wanted: my absence)?
No, I simply related this event to note her odd request. I did illustrate the insult to all that were watching by informing her that I wasn't even required to show it to law enforcement unless I was suspected of a crime. Then I asked her if I was suspected of a crime as if she were law enforcement. This was as close to "smarmy" as I wished to go with several people at various tables watching closely.
I'll let them draw their own conclusions about the appropriateness of my behavior, and make their own determinations about who was the good guy, and who the bad. I refused to give them any excuse to say to the manager, "That guy was a real jerk. I'm glad you made him leave." after I went out the door.
Besides, I was hungry. Why the hell should I have to leave and drive somewhere else over principle?