How would you deal with this situation?

[Yngwie 4String]

So Im from a really small community. The town consists of a college and a gas station thats about it. I pull up to the local gas station and Ive got some metal on in my car of course. I pull up beside this older lady in her car and a song kicks off. This ladie jumps about 3 feet up in her seat. I go into the gas station for some orange soda, and some Juicy Fruit, and I notice this old lady is starring at me the whole time right. So I go outside and apologise for scaring her. Get this, she replies "Thats OK I just want you to know that Jesus loves you."

I had no idea how to respond to that. (I am a Christian). I think I just said "I know" and drove off, something like that, but what was that all about? How would you respond? I have never been at a loss for words like that before.

[moogboy]

i would start by putting this in OT, and then i would allow MakiSupaStar to create some witty comment about it.

[Depth_Charge]

Sorry for all the edits mate, I found it a little tricky wording this out

Originally Posted by 4StringFury

So Im from a really small community. The town consists of a college and a gas station thats about it. I pull up to the local gas station and Ive got some metal on in my car of course. I pull up beside this older lady in her car and a song kicks off. This ladie jumps about 3 feet up in her seat. I go into the gas station for some orange soda, and some Juicy Fruit, and I notice this old lady is starring at me the whole time right. So I go outside and apologise for scaring her. Get this, she replies "Thats OK I just want you to know that Jesus loves you."

I had no idea how to respond to that. (I am a Christian). I think I just said "I know" and drove off, something like that, but what was that all about? How would you respond? I have never been at a loss for words like that before.

I'm spiritual not religious.

I wouldn't make as many assumptions about her motivation to open a dialogue with me in the first place, or be flabergasted about it either **.

Then unless she was rude about it I'd just beam at her and thank her for the advice, say I love what he stands for too (you'd say "I love him too") and if it was a friendly exchange perhaps then inquire whats on her mind and have a chat.

If OTOH she goes all religious anti-metal control can't wear black in church on me (I been there), I'll say something along the lines of I believe the Creators' (Gods') plan is for me to experience life respectfully towards others, and leave her to her closed-minded views and arrogant nature to interrupt my day with her opinions and maybe, if we got to the music being the issue, apologise for having so loud in public she was able to judge it.

Then I'd come to OT, have a chat, wonder WWMD and sit back and enjoy the thread exploding around me

PS - That said I crank mine whenever I want, with whatever I want, and the cars around me can turn up, wind up, or ignore it

[spudmaster34]

I really don't understand the mindset that makes people do things like that. It just dosn't make any sense to me.

[IconBasser]

I really don't understand the mindset that makes people do things like that. It just dosn't make any sense to me.

hey, it's not like she did anything radical here. She made an assumption that people who listen to metal aren't religious (which is often true), and she offered a small suggestion. She didn't go nuts and start preaching...

[spudmaster34]

Originally Posted by IconBasser

She didn't go nuts and start preaching...

Absolutely true. However, I don't understand why people feel that saying something like that could have a positive affect. If she were to say something like that to a person who was not religious; the chances of that person deciding to give christianity a try, because a woman at a gas station said Jesus loves him, are very slim.

[Jonny B]

I would want to tell her that there was no way a figment of her imigination could love me... But I'm not one for starting up **** with little old ladies.

[Foamy]

I'd smile and tell her thanks, and go get a big diet coke at Jack in the Box.
:-)
With Christian Love,
ET

[duo8675309]

Slightly off-topic, I hate it when people sign letters "With Christian love, *their name*"

[Jeff Moote]

Originally Posted by IconBasser

She didn't go nuts and start preaching...

While not exactly "nuts", I'd describe that as preaching. I find people saying such things to me offensive and rude - not at all because of the idea, but because they choose to share it with me.

[JimmyM]

How come nobody's addressing the two overlooked facts in this story:

1. Don't leave your keys in the car.

2. Nobody wants to hear your music except you.

Turn the CD player down when you pull into a parking lot and turn your car off and take your keys and you wouldn't have had the problem in the first place.

[BassChuck]

Originally Posted by 4StringFury

"Thats OK I just want you to know that Jesus loves you.".

As a survivor of small town living let me translate. The rest of the phrase, unspoken, is:

"But I hate your F***KIN" guts."

[mjolnir]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

As a survivor of small town living let me translate. The rest of the phrase, unspoken, is:

"But I hate your F***KIN" guts."

Ain't that the truth...

This has happened to me so many times, and all because I just happen to listen to metal and have a bunch of piercings. 'Course, I can understand the misunderstanding, considering (and honestly, let's be fair) most people who look like I do (wears a lot of black, has a buzzed head, two earrings in each ear and a ring through my lip) fit the stereotype that's thrown on us, and they fit it well. What are people supposed to think when they look at me?

OTOH, it'd be nice for some people to open their minds a little bit and maybe accept the possibility there's a Jimi Hendrix CD lying right next to my Damageplan, and a Victor Wooten under that, and The Eagles under that, and so on and so forth.

Either way, I play the music I want when I want and as long as I'm not violating city noise ordinances, I don't care what the people around me might think about it.

[Spector_Ray]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

How come nobody's addressing the two overlooked facts in this story:

1. Don't leave your keys in the car.

2. Nobody wants to hear your music except you.

Turn the CD player down when you pull into a parking lot and turn your car off and take your keys and you wouldn't have had the problem in the first place.

+1, but that didn't happen so I would've just replied, "And why wouldn't He?"

[Mark Perry]

Originally Posted by Spector_Ray

...so I would've just replied, "And why wouldn't He?"

Perfect comeback right there

[Yngwie 4String]

And why wouldnt he. I like that, that is exactly what I should have said.

I have no piercing and no tatoos. I dont even have my hair dyed an extreme color or anything. However in here defence I was wearing a slayer T shirt, and we all know that slayer has some controversial imagery. I didnt mind the comment so much, but staring me down the entire time I was in the store was a bit unsettling. This lady was creepy.

[TroyK]

How about;

"Bless you, now shut your ****** pie hole."?

or maybe

"Oh yeah, Jesus. Satan and I were just talking about him."

[Lesfunk]

I'd say thanks and ask if she wanted to screw. That would giver her something to think about.

[Depth_Charge]

I'm spritual not religious.

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

However, I don't understand why people feel that saying something like that could have a positive affect. If she were to say something like that to a person who was not religious; the chances of that person deciding to give christianity a try, because a woman at a gas station said Jesus loves him, are very slim.

It's in peoples nature to share something they believe in if they feel strongly enough about it.

Originally Posted by JimmyM

How come nobody's addressing the two overlooked facts in this story:

1. Don't leave your keys in the car.

2. Nobody wants to hear your music except you.

Simply because I have the right to play music from my car. Just like an advertising company and media have the right to ram their crap down my throat because they believe I have a right to know! Sure it's respectful to turn down and think of others, and I do most of the time. But if I'm cranked at the lights I won't lose sleep if the person next to me doesn't like whats played. If I see children and it's inapproriate music then I will turn down and I've gotten nods and waves of appreciation and I never needed to step foot in a church to know someone would appreciate these kinds of simple respectful gestures! Since neither party the OP described did...

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Turn the CD player down when you pull into a parking lot and turn your car off and take your keys and you wouldn't have had the problem in the first place.

I don't buy that mate sorry. You're just assuming she wouldn't have said something religious just out of her nature and desire to spread the word. Pfft. I can find it myself thanks!!

Originally Posted by mjolnir2730

Ain't that the truth...
This has happened to me so many times, and all because I just happen to listen to metal and have a bunch of piercings. 'Course, I can understand the misunderstanding, considering (and honestly, let's be fair) most people who look like I do (wears a lot of black, has a buzzed head, two earrings in each ear and a ring through my lip) fit the stereotype that's thrown on us, and they fit it well. What are people supposed to think when they look at me?

That you have mutilated the body that is your church.

Originally Posted by mjolnir

OTOH, it'd be nice for some people to open their minds a little bit and maybe accept the possibility there's a Jimi Hendrix CD lying right next to my Damageplan, and a Victor Wooten under that, and The Eagles under that, and so on and so forth.

If there's a Slipknot CD in that collection too how does that prevent the fact you still choose to listen to "devils music" in their eyes?? Makes no sense to me sorry!

Originally Posted by mjolnir

Either way, I play the music I want when I want and as long as I'm not violating city noise ordinances, I don't care what the people around me might think about it.

+100! Except in some circumstances, I care. I don't blanket crankit

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

I'd say thanks and ask if she wanted to screw. That would giver her something to think about.

Or something to root

You guys all need to grow up IMHO!!

[JimmyM]

Yeah, I used to think that blasting music nobody liked but me out of my car was cool. Then I grew up and realized how insanely obnoxious I was. Maybe one day you guys will realize it, too.

BTW, in Florida, you can get pulled over and get a ticket for it.