[Steven Ambrose]

I tend to ignore the racist attitudes. Homophobia is a different story. I had a late night trip where they were dropping f word for gay men and the d word for lesbians. After 5 minutes, I just finally stated "Gentlemen, I take it you have been drinking tonight". They all stated they were. I continue to engage them by completely changing the subject. At that point I was able de-escalate them. My natural reaction was to tell them to get out of my car, but that would not have helped anyone and may have caused the situation to escalate more.

 

[Steven Ambrose]

That's your right, and I support every driver's right to draw a line on pax behavior. That being said, I've given a pass to people making backhanded racist/desparaging comments about white people and Christians in my car. I happen to be both, but I also believe very strongly in people's freewill to make dumb choices and hold ignorant beliefs. That's their business.

Once it gets personal, and they begin to direct it at me clearly, I will toss a person out.

I did not feel it was directed towards me, but I could feel my Irish anger in me to start to well up and after I started to make small talk with them to veer them off course, if they would have continued, I would very politely ask them to exit the vehicle, but it got more mellow with them. Sometimes a knee jerk reaction is not required.

 

[Steven Ambrose]

I'm pretty sure this thread was nothing more than bait.

Gotta admit, it reeled me in.

Well, the bait wasn't good. I think the most of us have had to deal with some level of unacceptable behavior from the passengers entering our vehicles. How we handle that behavior, personally, will determine plenty.