Very strange encounter at the laundromat close to where I live...

[inanna]

There is a money exchanger in there (bills to coins) that I use occasionally when I no longer wish to hassle the store owner across the street for laundry money.

I have never ONCE had any issues going in to change my money in the past. I'm usually always with my two (leashed) dogs. The place is nearly always empty. And I always ask permission before entering the laundromat if there is anybody present - in case they dislike dogs.

Followed the same routine today as there was one male inside the premises. He agreed I could go inside, but then immediately began pestering me about my intentions:

"You'll be doing your laundry here though, right?"

"No. I'm getting change then going home to do my laundry in the building where I live," I said, wondering WTF he'd even care.

"It's just I don't think it's right to use the coin machine here and then not do your laundry here. Not very moral," he said.

I stopped then and looked at him directly. "Do you own this place?"

"No, I don't own it but it's just not very moral. Or very Christian," he replied.

"It's about as moral as going to the corner store and asking them for change. And do you always police the morals of all who enter in here? I came in to get change, not a fucking lecture."

"Oh please, don't swear," he said. "I'm an educated Christian." (as though that made his attitude okay.) "And you don't have to be so rude...."

I was done exchanging my money at that point, furious and flabberghasted over this very odd man and his attitude - and as I walked by him towards the exit I said, "Nice to meet you. I am an educated pagan."

The look of disgust and fear on his face was....quite telling.

In reality, I was baptized protestant and we raised our daughter in the catholic school system - before I decided (around the age of thirty five or so) that I'm basically an agnostic. I just wasn't about to let this slide.

Anybody else relate? Have similar stories? I was more than taken aback by this man's insistence at judging me after a one minute exchange that I thought began on a positive enough note - but then went completely downhill from there. On both sides...I admit!

And I want to point out that I know many, many devout Christians who would never act this way. No bashing here.

Happened about thirty minutes ago...

Note: he had no qualms about my dogs. His "issue" was all about the coin exchanger. ?!?!

[mr_lebowski]

1. Might be worth considering whether perhaps ... dude was just lonely ...

And disappointed you weren't staying ... and what he said was just an attempt to find someone to talk to.

Perhaps equally likely though ... was that he was hoping for a chance to proselytize ...

[inanna]

4. I'm thinking the latter. If so, better techniques are required!

But only he really knows...

[handmade34]

2. well

Jesus did rail against the "money changers"

[inanna]

3. Ahem. True that!

lol....

[MLAA]

12. Lol!

[guillaumeb]

19. Very nice.

[samnsara]

5. i would still be shaking...a shot of tequila will help.

[Angry Dragon]

6. Shaking my head

[gopiscrap]

7. my guess is he came in there a previous time and the exchange machine

was out of coins and that pissed him off, so he's protecting "his" coin dispensing territory and using Jesus as an excuse for his publicly confronting others over the issue

[inanna]

10. Could be that.

Could be a lot of things.

I've experienced similar situations befre, just never quite that abrupt and toxic.

[braddy]

8. Was he doing his clothes or was he just one of the oddballs that hangout at laundromats because they

are open to the public and indoors.

[inanna]

9. He was doing his laundry, from what I could tell.

And he seemed approachable - at first. Then I realized my first impression was dead wrong after about 15 seconds or so...

[Atticus]

11. "Can you say 'sanctimonious anal sphincter', boys and girls?" nt

[MichMary]

13. Well,

when the coin machine is empty, the people who actually do their laundry there are out of luck, so I think he maybe has a point.

You can buy rolls of quarters at any bank. They cost $10.00.

[inanna]

14. The machine can be emptied by patrons and non patrons alike.

I too have have experienced the empty coin machine myself. And I didn't react poorly when it happened by lambasting the person closest to me and questioning their morals and values.

The machine wasn't empty today anyways. Moot point. The green light was on before and after I used it.

I'll get my change where it is most convenient.

[MichMary]

15. It's a business

The owners make money off people who patronize their business. When the coin machine is empty, or depleted by noncustomers, the people the business owners rely on to keep their business running, need to go elsewhere, or scramble to find a place that will provide them with change. That can be bad for business.

You are certainly free to get your change wherever you like. I wonder why your building doesn't have a coin machine.

[inanna]

16. I have patronized the laundromat on many occasions.

Sometimes, it is not possible to remain there due to other circumstances...

I'm not going to justify my use of a coin machine to you, the odd man in the laundromat or anybody else. If the owners do not want certain people using the machine, then they could post a sign - or take other measures. They have not done so...and it is most certainly not illegal.

None of this justifies a complete stranger ranting and raving about morals and values - unless he wishes to have his own critiqued.

[Permanut]

17. As a business owner..

I would welcome people in to use the coin changer. Gets them in the door, to see my establishment. Then, later, when their washing machine fails, they come to my shop and use my machines, and yes, then I make money.

And by the way, that was some creepy dude.

[inanna]

18. Yes.

I have also directed other tenants in my building towards the laundromat when the machines in my building fail - or if they have an excessive amount of wash they need to do.

The laundromat is kind of tucked away from the street and not very visible. Many people are surprised to learn there even is a laundromat in this neighborhood.