See also ‘Bavarian Fire Drill’ - and half of Derren Brown’s entire schtick.
There are a well known set of psychological ‘glitches’ implicit in our brain-wiring and learned socialisation.
But yes, humiliation of the desperate and bottom of the social order (customers and shop staff, both) and playing on their need for money, and need to remain employed, respectively is just evil. You want to play head games? Go try it on someone with actual authority, who can actually punch you back. Otherwise you’re just punching down on the desperate.
As per @Enkita and @MalevolentPixy, I truly hope the bastard gets caught, and charged with something creative.
