Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Eating at a Restaurant

I can certainly understand that and I'm not going to disparage folks that want to stay vigilant.

There have been times in my life where I was like that. Back when I used to travel for the company and inspect, troubleshoot and repair power plants all the time, you weren't allowed to carry on the plant site. So I didn't take my pistol on the road unless I was staying overnight and even then I didn't take it all the time.

I guess I figure now at 65 years old, as much stupid shit that I have done in my life getting in fights, pissing people off, being out late in questionable places, if God wanted to take me out he's had ample opportunities and if he wants to take me out now a 9mm pocket pistol ain't going to stop him.

Do I still carry sometimes? Yes.
Am I aware of my surroundings? Yes
Do I walk around like Jason Bourne all the time? No.

We've been married 33 years. I still sit beside my her in booths and next to her at tables when we go out. She's younger and way better looking than me. I reckon its my way to show off a little.

I do it not so much for me but for the ones I love that are with me.

Again... Everyone has their own comfort level and I personally respect that, but just a genuine curiosity question, because I know even Churches have their own "security people" in the congregation that either clandestinely or "officially" carry in Church for this reason. I have struggled with this question for a long time, because as a man we feel it is not just our responsibility to defend ourselves and the people we love and the stuff we have accumulated, but it is also our responsibility to seek vengeance on transgressors.

The question is:

Is God powerful enough to take care of the ones he loves?

If so, then who are we to concern ourselves with it?

If not where does His power end and at what point do we say, it is our responsibility to take matters into our own hands?

Good points.

Eye contact is important whether you're in a restaurant, walking through the parking lot or wherever you may be. Always be scanning your surroundings and be prepared.

I always sit facing the door. Hopefully nothing will ever happen but I'm going to see what's coming if it ever does.

Aces and eights....

I thought I felt y'all checking me out at the restaurant the other night.

When a stranger (male) makes eye contact with me, I make a a funny face at them, to let them know that I know that they know they are gay and I am not a gay.

When a stranger (female) makes eye contact with me, I look them up and down and stare, to let them know that I know that they know I see them looking so I be looking back.

Thats a fun game. We are having a good time.

And the restaurants we go to usually A) require reservations (which we probably don't have because we are indecisive). Therefore our options are B) first available plus wait around with the commoners (which sucks & risk vigilance of being seated where I can't watch the door in this fine establishment or worse get some poor table in the center) or C) first come, first serve at the bar (our choice - we like the bar scene, we get to play the above eye contact game with lots of people while getting blasted which makes it less weird plus we forget our inhibitions & don't worry so much about vigilance).

The craziest people in a restaurant are in the kitchen. You SHOULD be watching the back.

Thats why Waffle House customers aint no match for the employees.

Yes, He's powerful enough.
We concern ourselves with it because we may just be "means" he uses to provide that protection. He provides the means, it's just up to us to use those means.

A man fell overboard in the ocean and prayed for God to save him, and believed He would. A ship comes by and someone throws him a life ring but he refuses to take it. He yells to the person on the boat, No thanks, God's going to save me. Later a helicopter hovers overhead and lowers a line. Again the man refuses and says that God is going to save him. So, the man drowns and finds himself before God. He says, God I prayed to you to save me and truly believed you would. Why didn't you save me? God answers, I sent a boat and a helicopter to save you and you refused both. This one's on you.

Always sit across if it’s just us, if we’re out with another person/couple we sit next to each other, and across from our guests.

I'd rather sit across. Hearing isnt great where theres noise and helps the conversation.

They probably thought you were flirting with them. 🤣

For me, it's my duty. The way pawpaw instructed me. I live in Jefferson County. To hear many on this forum tell it, yea, mogadishu.

But with that said. When I was 17 I was eating at a waffle house. Minding my business. When in walked two people around 1am. Both drew guns and since my two friends and I were the only customers at the time, we got to stare at the end of a saturday night special for a few minutes while the other took the cash out of the register. My friend was feeling cocky and wanted to be a hero since the entire reason we were there was he took a shine to a girl behind the counter. Thankfully he didn't act, but it took effort on us to keep him from getting us all killed.

None of us were armed with more than a knife but he kept his attention on us and clear enough we couldn't rush him easily.

So, yea, I sit at the door. Situationally aware at all times. And I'm old enough to carry now.

I had numerous situations in the fire service where those instincts and behaviors came in handy. Hell, I thought every man worthy of being called a man in Alabama carried those same values and instincts. Opening doors for women, walking on the outside of the sidewalk to protect. Constant vigilance because you don't ever know when something will go down. Especially in areas with certain demographics.

Hell, the recent burger joint shooting wasn't a bad area. Thankfully some folks there think like some on here do. I promise you I know the face of every soul that walks into a business where I'm sitting. And they automatically are assessed for danger the moment I see them. 99% of the time it's normal people. But that 1% isn't gonna ever catch me off guard again.

I guess to answer the religious thing I trust in God but also Remington hollow points. When it's your time it's your time but Dave's going loudly and somethings having lots of holes in it too.

Exactly. And you don't have to be Jason Bourne to do it. Just pay attention to things. With so many noses in phones nowadays, most people don't know there's potential danger until it hits them.

My neck hurts if we are beside each other. We run across when eating.