# Clerk Clocks Deaf Man for Not Speaking **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 9, 2007, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069 "2007-10-09T09:55:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/21 "2007-10-09T17:24:36Z")
Wow. Maybe the crowbar was for the customers who keep asking, “How much is this?” at the dollar store. > [@](#): > > A spokesman for Family Dollar said the store is conducting its own internal investigation into the incident. What, they think maybe it was justified? ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/22 "2007-10-09T18:27:04Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] At this point, all I have to say is how cool I find the name “Mr. Goodnight.” [/QUOTE] I wonder if he’s a [Captain](http://www.the-underdogs.info/game.php?id=3706). ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/23 "2007-10-09T18:41:42Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] At this point, all I have to say is how cool I find the name “Mr. Goodnight.” [/QUOTE] It’d be a cooler name if he had been the one doing the clocking with the crowbar. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/24 "2007-10-09T19:15:59Z")
[QUOTE=Elenfair] Maybe his defense lawyer will say that Mr. Goodnight was signing something that resembled some street-gang secret hand-shake. [/QUOTE] I thought about including a link to the old thread about the school forbidding a Deaf or Hard of Hearing student from using Sign Language but decided against it. The school’s reason for the prohibition: Sign Language resembles gang signs. Yes, the school backed down after the public outcry. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/25 "2007-10-09T20:03:13Z")
Maybe Family Dollar is the new Cracker Barrel. Maybe needs to be closed down. My local Family Dollar is filled with the bitchiest little white girl employees you’ve ever had to interact with. They resent you for coming into the store and seem to resent you even more because you have actual money to pay with, and you’re actually going to pay with money. I should get treated like shit because I have money, and would like to just pay and leave? Yeah, they’ll treat you like shit. This one bitch rolled her eyes, looked away and practically threw my change at me. Maybe I’m _supposed_ to shoplift? It’s like they hate you for having enough money to buy something. What is up with that place? They hate customers. Oh, and about getting pissed off at people who continually ask “how much does this cost?” It’s because hardly anything at the Family Dollar Store actually costs a dollar, and those bitches working there sure as hell can’t be arsed to put price tags on most of what they sell. Why do I even shop there? Because at the moment, there’s one three blocks away and if I want a bottle of Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner they’re closer than Wal-mart. But man, do they like to treat you like shit for even walking in there. It wouldn’t surprise me at all you have to belong to the right gang to shop there. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/26 "2007-10-09T20:10:44Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] Oh, and about getting pissed off at people who continually ask “how much does this cost?” It’s because hardly anything at the Family Dollar Store actually costs a dollar, and those bitches working there sure as hell can’t be arsed to put price tags on most of what they sell. [/QUOTE] Yeah, Family Dollar is _not_ a “dollar store.” And I’ve always had really poor service there too, to the point that I’ve avoided them for two or three years. But if I ever go back, you can be damn sure I’ll at least say “hello” to the cashier! :eek: BTW, what’s the matter with Cracker Barrel? I always thought their food was pretty good and the service was never so bad that I noticed. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/27 "2007-10-09T20:13:42Z")
[QUOTE=levdrakon] Oh, and about getting pissed off at people who continually ask “how much does this cost?” It’s because hardly anything at the Family Dollar Store actually costs a dollar, and those bitches working there sure as hell can’t be arsed to put price tags on most of what they sell. [/QUOTE] Sorry, the only “dollar store” I’ve ever been in had every item for sale for a buck. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/28 "2007-10-09T20:14:02Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] BTW, what’s the matter with Cracker Barrel? I always thought their food was pretty good and the service was never so bad that I noticed. [/QUOTE] I dunno. Maybe they hit you with a crowbar before you order or something. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/29 "2007-10-09T20:21:54Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] BTW, what’s the matter with Cracker Barrel? I always thought their food was pretty good and the service was never so bad that I noticed. [/QUOTE] Google “Cracker Barrel Anti Gay” (no parentheses needed.) ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/30 "2007-10-09T20:23:46Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] BTW, what’s the matter with Cracker Barrel? I always thought their food was pretty good and the service was never so bad that I noticed. [/QUOTE] Beats me. I’ve never been to one. But years ago I think they were getting boycotted for supposedly treating different types of folks unfairly. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/31 "2007-10-09T21:02:47Z")
[QUOTE=Kricket] I’ve had deaf people come into stores and resturants and we’ve been able to communicate just fine. It’s really not all that hard to figure out if someone is ignoring you or can’t hear you. [/QUOTE] That’s not the issue at all. Even if the guy was being deliberately rude, that doesn’t justify an attack with a crowbar. In my opinion, it doesn’t even justify the clerk to get upset - store clerks are _not_ entitled to cheerful and happy response from every customer! Not that I’d take out my anger on a store clerk, but I’m not going to fake a smile either if I’m in a bad mood. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/32 "2007-10-09T21:11:44Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] BTW, what’s the matter with Cracker Barrel? I always thought their food was pretty good and the service was never so bad that I noticed. [/QUOTE] [Obviously you’re not a black gay woman working for campaign finance reform!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_Barrel) Was I the only one who immediately thought of [this?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1900A_ktEg) ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2007, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/33 "2007-10-09T21:14:24Z")
Huh. And all these years, I thought “Cracker Barrel” was just a clever name. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2007, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/34 "2007-10-10T00:27:03Z")
This wasn’t cool, but the deaf guy is fine, **20** years? ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2007, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/35 "2007-10-10T00:30:38Z")
[QUOTE=Sitnam] This wasn’t cool, but the deaf guy is fine, **20** years? [/QUOTE] I agree that’s probably a lot for a non-lethal case of asshattery, but judging from the article, I think they’re probably just naming the maximum sentence allowable by law. “Assault and Battery,” after all, has to cover a lot of territory. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2007, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/36 "2007-10-10T00:34:00Z")
[QUOTE=OneCentStamp] I agree that’s probably a lot for a non-lethal case of asshattery, but judging from the article, I think they’re probably just naming the maximum sentence allowable by law. [/QUOTE] So, what sort of slap on the wrist do you think the clerk should get? I’d rather have a guy responds to a mild slight with a crowbar be in jail than not. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2007, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/37 "2007-10-10T01:01:47Z")
[QUOTE=adam yax] So, what sort of slap on the wrist do you think the clerk should get? I’d rather have a guy responds to a mild slight with a crowbar be in jail than not. [/QUOTE] I think jail time would be very appropriate for the guy. If he has no other violent crimes on his record, I think a year sounds about right. Of course, that’s me talking off the cuff without knowing many of the particulars, but I’d want him to see at least some prison time. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2007, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/38 "2007-10-10T01:06:30Z")
[QUOTE=adam yax] So, what sort of slap on the wrist do you think the clerk should get? [/QUOTE] Perhaps one administered with a crowbar. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2007, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/39 "2007-10-10T01:13:22Z")
I’d be very curious what the assailant said, and how he acted when he found out the guy was deaf. After you make a mistake like that, there’s a bit of a difference between a guy who says “oh, shit, I didn’t know” and a guy who says “well, yeah, but he had it coming anyway.” In the mugshot, he doesn’t look regretful. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2007, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069/40 "2007-10-10T03:00:35Z")
He said “oh.” And the tapes were erased. And how the fuck is there a difference between trying to kill a guy and , uh , trying to kill a guy-- because? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clerk-clocks-deaf-man-for-not-speaking/422069.md?page=3)