I don't know about this incident but i do believe that as we get older we tend not to take the crap that we did when we were younger. I am 63 and what I would have backed away from years before I now stand my ground and fuck what other people think. Maybe i should have been this way years ago but NOW in many cases I just can't be quiet.
Example though a simple one. At the local food check out cashier asks: " Did you find everything you needed sir?". Great question right!! Well after answering "no" for a good number of times, I decided to take a different approach. "Why are you asking this question. Are you going to do something about it?" She looked at me as if I was from another planet (which I am BTY.). I waved my hand at her and said "never mind, management never gave you the answer."