Was I the SC??

[Bugg]

Dammit, I just wanted to get gas! I went to the local station which is full serve, but I've gone there a few times and pumped my own gas, never was a problem. Most stations around here prefer that motorcycles pump themselves. So, I go put my card in..blah blah..finish up, I took my time so I was there for awhile, then the attendant finally comes up as I'm getting on my bike, asks me what I want, I say, I'm done--finish getting on my bike, he asks me again, to which I again say, I'm done, I already paid..I turn my key and he starts getting agitated asks me again, and I say, I'm done--you took too long.. I start it up and he starts yelling..YOU STEAL GAS!! $1.60--$1.60!! I yell back-- I PAID ALREADY!!! (I put in a debit card, I actually paid for $2.00, it was a preset pump) at this point I just wanted to leave so I gun it and pull away-- THE PRICK GRABS MY RIGHT GRIP!!!! ( the throttle!,glad I don't have a literbike, would have been an awesome wheelstand tho!) Now, I'm pissed but I'm having none of this-so I'm out..as I pass him he hits me in the shoulder--that's enough-- I shut it down and I hop off--I'm way past pissed I pull out my receipt, shove it in his face and yell LOOK YOU F*****G C********R, I PAID, SEE??? GRAB MY BIKE AGAIN AND I'LL SMASH YOUR F*****G SKULL, YOU C***T!! Then some of the other guys came out and surrounded me, as camly as I could I tried to explain to them that I paid which he said he didn't care and to leave..I'm trying to but he's standing in my way he tells me to leave again and I tell him Move, stupid, do you want me to run you over?? He says to never come back--no problem

After it was over I filed a compaint with the local precinct to cover myself, because the one guy said he was calling the police, normally if it were just him I would have said fine, I'll wait--but there were 3 of them..and while I may be able to handle myself pretty well, 3 on 1 just isn't good....besides I REALLY didn't want to have to hit anyone (i'm getting older--I might hurt my wrists--then no more riding!)

I just couldn't believe how quickly it escalated, and that in the guys mind knocking me off my bike was worth $1.60, even if I had stolen it. Funny that I got a receipt, I usually don't.

Just venting tho...my heavy bag isn't set up and I like my walls without holes!

[mrtauntaun]

Well, not an SC in the traditional sense. He was mistaken, and hitting you was flat out wrong, but I do think you overreacted. Myself, I would have shown him the receipt without the colorful speech. If her persisted at that point, I would have called the cops myself.

[Bugg]

looking back I suppose I overreacted, but trying to do something that could injure(or even kill)me got me upset. While I CAN see his side of it, being upset at a 'theif', he should probably know how his own pumps work.

I've been in this sort of situation, as I work 'security' at my job and I actually do care if people are stealing, however I would never try to hurt someone who wasn't trying to hurt me physically, in fact all my life I've NEVER hit first.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Look at it this way....you simply encountered a sucky customer where he worked.

I think if the guy had grabbed me or my bike or something, I would have gotten livid, too. I generally do not like being touched by strangers.

[Think Blue]

The fact that you could have gotten really hurt when that idiot grabbed your bike, hitting you and standing in your way, justifies what you did. It wasn't that sucky when people are intentionally trying to injure you.

[Bugg]

The thing is I've known of people who have gotten killed going parking lot speed on bikes, I'm very saftey conscious (full gear all the time, trackdays to improve skill, taught to ride by professionals) so doing that to me was like lighting off a bomb in my head. It's like I'm one of those tough guy HD riders who get upset if you look at their bike, actually quite the opposite, I always try to be responsible and safe, on and off the track...even funnier was that I blocked a lane on the way into the station with my bike so a lady could cross the street with her stroller! so yeah I'm no badass.

[Kiwi]

the whole situation was unfortunate he should have not accused you of stealing before he understood the full situation, nor should he have touched you or grabbed your bike

the swearing and yelling though, that never really solves anything, its going to put him on the defensive (even more so than he already was)

if that ever happens again, pull the reicept out and try to explain what happened as calmy as possible. You had paid and so you know your in the right in that aspect.

as frustrating as it is, exploding in anger will always make the situation worse

note: this is why you should ALWAYS get your reciept people, even if you dont think its worth it. it is. they give you one for a reason.

[Moirae]

I'd say you were justified personally.

[kibbles]

You were absolutely 100% justified and in no way a SC, those employees were not only Sucky, but they sounded psycho as well. I think you did the right thing as well by filing a complaint. Hope it works out and the place is looked into.

And don't worry thinking you overreacted because because you didn't, you were on your bike when someone grabbed your bike and then hit you. I think you reacted more calmly then most people would be able to.

[ReadyToRetire]

I dunno, I may be in the minority but...

In your post you said he asked you twice before accosting you.
He shouldn't have done that, but if you had just shown him the receipt when he first asked, all the rest would never have happened.

[Bugg]

In all actuality, it escalated so fast (really fast) that I forgot I had it, as I usually don't keep receipts from gas pumps. As soon as I realized I had it, I stopped to show it to him (not in a very nice way, but given how he had just tried to dump me off my bike twice, I was a little upset)

[beercashier]

It sound to me there was overreaction on both parts. Him grabbing your bike could have gotten both of you hurt.
I would think with the price of gas there is a lot of concern about drive offs.

[Bugg]

I totally agree that I was not 100% innocent, but yeah having someone grab you throttle when your riding and revving the bike up tends to upset people.

[Kiwi]

sorry for my ignorance

what is a throttle?

[One-Fang]

Throttle - make gas go. Like the accelerator on a car.

I don't really know about this situation. He should absolutely have never physically grabbed out for you. But your resultant behaviour was way over the top. Can I just say then that both parties acted somewhat suckily and not have to apportion any specific blame?