Would you?

Not hobby related.

Moved to the proper forum.

Kinda of a similar thing happened in SA.

Stripper. Jealous BF. I can't remember the specific details but happened at Dennys by Perrin Beitel. Guy beat down 2 cops before one of them was able to shoot him.

I remember that one precious, a few years back now I think. Well these folks Im talking about were obviously having some serious kind of a problem.
My good fortune was that "someone" must have called 911 as I was "nicely" walking over to their table. Or who knows, maybe these people are known to create problems, and they were called before I even got up from the table. One of the ladies here posted the recommendation not to make eye contact with anyone…….. I don't know about that one. Where I'm from that does not work, you had better be keeping your head up and your mind engaged, especially in regards to who is coming in and out of rooms you are in. I try not to "hold" anyones gaze though. In this case the "lady" was constantly staring at me.
Not in my wildest dreams would I have gone over there if I thought it was going to escalate that quickly, and in that particular way. I mean It's a nice restaurant, I'm dressed accordingly, and Mr Motor Mouth decides "I'm his huckleberry". Hmph…..

One of the ladies here posted the recommendation not to make eye contact with anyone…….. I don't know about that one. Where I'm from that does not work, you had better be keeping your head up and your mind engaged, especially in regards to who is coming in and out of rooms you are in. I try not to "hold" anyones gaze though. In this case the "lady" was constantly staring at me. Originally Posted by JungleJack

Peripheral vision should be enough to scope the place out. All those years of checking out other girls without your SO noticing should finally pay off! Keeping an eye out for movement is simple enough. And you should have cleared the room when you first entered....

Unless you are involved in some gang/mob or grudge you really shouldn't have to watch out that....actively. Heck, even the mafia kids I knew once upon a time weren't that paranoid.

For all that trouble you should have gotten some ass from that chick anyway.

When it comes to a woman I would rather leave than fight. If I must get violent it would be for the sake of fighting, love the sting of battle but over a woman or girl I should say, I will walk away

I never want to be the one sitting down when it happens. On the other hand there are some crazy mother fuckers out there. His gun was out and if you carry there is no way you gonna get yours out in time. So if you don't have backup might want to stay clear.

I've seen this movie

When it comes to a woman I would rather leave than fight. If I must get violent it would be for the sake of fighting, love the sting of battle but over a woman or girl I should say, I will walk away Originally Posted by Dice man1983

I'm with you on that one. In this case, however; I think this crowd was gonna end up over at my end of the room regardless.but now that I'm thinking about it, I remember something similar happening when I was around 10 or 11 years old back on the block. A really angelic looking little girl asked me to walk with her around the block. I remember it was a Sunday because she had white gloves on, and I remember that so clearly, the touch of a gloved hand holding mine. Well as kids, back then, everyone was pretty territorial, and although my big head said "not a good idea Jack", I went along anyway. Well don't you know as soon as we got to the next street, there were 4 or 5 "other kids" playing there on that street, and they certainly recognized her. In that moment she grabbed my hand and starting being extra nice. I guess I don't have to tell you what happened next. Evidently one of those guys was or used to be her boyfriend.
Running really was absolutely not an option. That would have been harder to live with then the beating I got from these friends of her. I "maybe" got two or three little punches off before curling up and just taking it. Of course that feud lasted for years that I can remember. It never got out of hand but still I remember the constant confrontations. Over a ten year old girl, who by the way, I never saw again!! Ha

I remember that one precious, a few years back now I think. Well these folks Im talking about were obviously having some serious kind of a problem.
My good fortune was that "someone" must have called 911 as I was "nicely" walking over to their table. Or who knows, maybe these people are known to create problems, and they were called before I even got up from the table. One of the ladies here posted the recommendation not to make eye contact with anyone…….. I don't know about that one. Where I'm from that does not work, you had better be keeping your head up and your mind engaged, especially in regards to who is coming in and out of rooms you are in. I try not to "hold" anyones gaze though. In this case the "lady" was constantly staring at me.
Not in my wildest dreams would I have gone over there if I thought it was going to escalate that quickly, and in that particular way. I mean It's a nice restaurant, I'm dressed accordingly, and Mr Motor Mouth decides "I'm his huckleberry". Hmph….. Originally Posted by JungleJack

I have always believed in being aware as well.
Due to my job and travel I often find myself eating alone
I prefer to go to places like tilted kilt hooters or twin peaks where eating alone is fairly common

"I have always believed in being aware as well.
Due to my job and travel I often find myself eating alone
I prefer to go to places like tilted kilt hooters or twin peaks where eating alone is fairly common"

Good advice.

I like to eat at those places also. Next few times out I'll make it a point to follow that advice. But in the end, and for not a lot more money, there are some nice places out there to eat dinner. Ha, maybe it's just that I really miss sitting at a table with a nice tablecloth, and the food being served like it was prepared just (only) for you. Of course , you don't want to get hurt in the process.

Jungle jack might want to invest in a CHL. It's valid in almost any state and the ones that don't except it are pos states anyway. I carry my .357 sig every where I go. And since your alone you don't have to worry about hurting you so. And if you are out numbered you got 13 little hot and hard hitting friends that will even things out.

On the original story, a lady at another table trying to flirt with you while other men are at the table is just asking for trouble. Heading over to the table with a waiter witness is just stirring the pot. Whatever crazy shit was going on at the table, you didn't need to be a part of it. I see very few versions of this scenario working out to your advantage (Dear Penthouse, you'll never believe how this gangbang started...) and most ending up poorly.

As for the 10 yr old who used you, that's a bit rough. You didn't have the experience or wisdom that comes w/ age and that's a bummer...

Pulling out a pistol when one is already trained on you might not be the best idea.

De-escalating whenever possible and especially in a crowded restaurant is the best option in my opinion.

A bruised ego is much easier to get past or over thana gunshot wound, and less bystanders are potentially hurt.

I believe in self protection, but practice situational awareness.

In this instance I believe the OP did his best to handle the situation.

Possibly better would have been to pay the bill and leave without confrontation, but it could be that he wouldould have beeneen followed outside. Who knows.

OP, glad you are ok.

Glad everything worked out in the end. The same kind of thing happened to my brother 10+ years ago on a Saturday afternoon at a famous local hamburger joint here in SA ( sans the gun) and it did led to violence in the parking lot. And my brother did everything to try and avoid it-change his seat..talk to mgmnt..leave unobtrusively.. all to no avail and all over a woman staring.