I am quite a nice guy and can take a joke at my own expense from people who generally mean well. I am a sales rep going to see strangers regularly and you meet all sorts of nice/honest/grumpy/miserable people, take your pick. I can put up with these people in a professional capacity all day.
That said, I have no time for people who are ignorant, with bad manners or both. I imagine that a confrontation such as Ewens would not take long to descend into violence. I actually know that this is wrong in itself but I do not believe these days that setting an example is enough for the ignorant youth of today, especially when they have their mates to impress.
The damage or lack of consideration for these people was set in stone years before by poor parenting and it will take a shock or two to make them realise that the world doesn't owe them a living and they can't treat everyone like shit and expect to get away with it.
My hat goes off to Ewen but I know that my story would have ended differently.
H.