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Well, no, not necessarily, I mean you were in the Internet cafe for a reason. There is no law against drinking any beverage.

Yes, you're right from our American/Individual Rights point of view. But that's one of the fascinating alternative perspectives that I guess keeps me in this part of the world. You see, some of the philosophy I've been reading (which is Theravada Buddhism, which is very normal and conversation like, unlike Zen Buddhism which is totally mystical) anyway, Theravada philosophy takes the concept of personal self control to such a high level, that it even puts the onus of controlling immature people on the mature ones, just as an adult is responsible for a child's behavior.

So you see, if I'm more mature and more learned than any given nasty person, and if I imbibe in a drink causing myself to look slower such that the person caves into their nastiness, solely because I was not practicing what they call "mindfulness" (the wise, or would-be wise, must monitor all things around them), then in effect it is my education, combined with my making it seem vulnerable when drinking, which, in fact, causes the other person to act badly, on the basis that they are too mean and nasty to control themselves.

I know, it runs directly contrary to our "individual responsibility" ideas, but it can be considered a form of "if you want something done right, do it yourself". After I've adopted this idea more (not totally, but just more) it has in fact lead to reduced stress for me because I "design out" chances for people like that to do anything at all.

It runs counter to our Western ideas when it instructs me to give up my right to drink a perfectly legal beverage in a completely public place. However, while it does not address "rights", it does shift the focus to what weak people are likely to do, rather than what they should do. By giving up what we call a right, I am admitting a certain degree of reality, and my reward is much increased peace, because if I hadn't drunk a drop, I'm sure I would have just laughed at his behavior, but just a few drinks was enough to cloud my judgment to the point that my anger hurt myself, you see, because I did not take into account what a nasty person might do, even though I had a right to the activity in question, and I thereby provoked his behavior, which could be considered a wrong action on my part. I'm not really sweating that idiot at this point, but I do like to think these things through, and I have benefited mightily over the last 4 years that I left the corporate job and had "thought cycles" to devote to just such ideas as these.

Of course we in the US have built the greatest society in human history on the basis of "rights", and I'm certainly not about to chuck out that concept. Still, wisely addressing what's likely to happen, and governing ourselves accordingly, well there's something to be said for that too. Interesting ideas to ponder.

Theravada philosophy takes the concept of personal self control to such a high level, that it even puts the onus of controlling immature people on the mature ones, just as an adult is responsible for a child's behavior.

It's interesting to study and learn about other concepts for living in serenity.

I was not practicing what they call "mindfulness" (the wise, or would-be wise, must monitor all things around them), then in effect it is my education, combined with my making it seem vulnerable when drinking, which, in fact, causes the other person to act badly, on the basis that they are too mean and nasty to control themselves.

In my view, the guy you encountered yesterday is a jerk, always will be a jerk, ergo, the only one who can change is you. Personally, I would not knock myself out trying to figure out this guy's motives.
Of course, that's my perspective from living a life time in the good old USA!

It's always interesting to read your thoughts, thanks much.