I've exchanged a few words with people in stores as well, and decided to keep my mouth shut. People are very angry right now and it doesn't take much to set them off.

Free speech means the mask supporter has a right to speak his mind.

Etiquette means the anti-maskers should know they will anger folks if they break the law and/or store rules, so when asked to comply by a fellow shopper, they should politely thank the shopper for sharing their views.

Store rules means compliance enforcement should be handled by store personnel, with whatever penalty is threatened. The mask supporting shopper should have reported the mask infraction to store personnel, and stay out of the scuffle.

If masks are not required to shop in the store, then the mask supporting shopper should shop elsewhere, if possible, or keep mum if there is no other choice of stores.

Of course, when emotions run high with strong feelings about masking, it's hard to stick to civil behavior, unless one is practiced at keeping their cool.

I made the mistake of voicing a friendly wish that my neighbor would wear a mask as he passes by me and others at our condo complex. He went ballistic and screamed at me, spewing millions of droplets at me with his mystery breath. So, that was a backfire, since he would have kept more droplets to himself had I been silent. Our passings in the narrow walkway are actually very brief, and I normally hold my breath while passing him anyway. He wouldn't be someone I would ever consider a close contact, but he became a closer contact with his tirade, a direct result of my good intentioned comment. So, definitely a backfire.

He still doesn't wear a mask, despite there being a property wide rule. He now parks his truck on the other side of the property so he doesn't need to pass by anymore in the narrow walkway. That's okay with me. I did get to relate to him, that my wish that he wear a mask was partially for his benefit, since I work with visitors and I could unknowingly be a carrier. I always wish people around me would mask up or keep their distance.

I know his experience. I simply asked an old bloke if he was exempt from wearing a mask. Firstly he threatened me with assault as he pulled his mask from his pocket. Then when he left the store he deliberately came within a foot of me and then pretended to head butt me. My response was to go into a boxing stance.

Marines are trained to do the ''right'' thing and that never goes away. Aren't those ''two individuals" just the most inspiring characters we know in their patriotism and love for our fellow humans?

That's why I just keep my mouth shut. Yes, I feel like the two men not wearing masks were in the wrong, but it's really not worth getting the shit kicked out of you. Honestly, he's lucky that's all that happened. He could have easily been stabbed or shot.