My wife and I went to Pathmark and I was threatened by one of their employees who was drunk. On Saturday, January 22, 2012 at approximately 3 pm, we entered Pathmark located at Chelten and Wayne avenue. Philadelphia, PA 19144. Once in the store, I was walking about 12 feet ahead of my wife to a particular area to select items for purchase. She called ahead to me in a low voice, Gary. I looked back to her and a male passing by me dressed in a Pathmark shirt turned and addressed my wife in an aggressive tone saying, "If you have a problem with me tell it to me." I said to him, "Hold it! She is my wife." His anger was then directed to me.
We were still walking so I thought nothing more of the encounter. The man dressed in the Pathmark shirt stopped outside the manager's office to clock out, then turned to us again. This time he was acting in a manner as if he wanted to fight. My wife quickly got between us. I was in a state of confusion, because I didn't see a problem. His advancements continued. He was trying to close the distance between us. Almost up in my face, I turned and went directly to the manager's office. He quickly followed, with my wife acting as a buffer staying between us.
By this time, I noticed what seemed to be an audience of many people watching particularly one young man who took it upon himself to come closer to get more information. He seemed ready to react as if in that moment somehow I became his personal leader or mentor. I opened the door to the manager's office and quickly informed the manager about the ongoing problem. At first, the manager's response was odd. My wife stated to the manager in a firm tone, "The employee is drunk." The employee hearing what she said, quickly left the scene. I stated my complaint. I was very agitated and needed to recollect myself and left the store.
I left the store and returned alone; it was about fifteen minutes later. I went directly to the manager's office and restated my complaint to the manager. A security staff member was in the room. He said the aggressive male was caught on surveillance. He also stated, "The aggressive male went to his truck before the event, stayed in his truck for about fifteen minutes and returned to the store. I noticed the complainant and his wife entering the parking lot and store." Essentially, the whole event was captured on surveillance. The manager apologized and assured me that the situation would be reported and that he would be calling me.
I feel compelled to pursue the rectification of this incident in light of the many senseless and brutal beatings seen on the news. I'm reminded of that young man in the store who seemed to get ready to react depending upon my behavior and character choices in that moment; things could have gone in a very different direction. I can even recall noticing the offender appeared to be no older than 25 yrs old as I looked at him, still drinking while sitting in his truck parked in front of the doors to the market. How foolish! What a travesty facing and representing many of the youth today and what a danger to us all. It is incumbent upon all of us to realize our position as reluctant mentors and leaders in society and use these opportunities as teachable moments to impart good character choices to unspoken audiences everywhere.
