DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was at a convenience store, with my arms full of groceries. There were three tall young men standing near the register in a group, and I asked if they were in line.

They said yes and lined up. When I thought they were finished, I placed my items on the counter and moved forward to the credit card reader, accidentally bumping into one of the men. He turned to me and said: “Well, you’re in a hurry, aren’t you?”

His manner was aggressive and his expression was hostile. I just stared at him, taken aback. What should I have said or done? I actually thought there was a chance he might strike me.

GENTLE READER: So should you have provoked them?

Miss Manners would not think that you wanted to get into a scuffle with a gang of what you believe to be rude and potentially vio

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