Why? Aren't they trained to deal with all kinds of people and types of behavior, like anyone in a customer facing profession? If I go to an Apple Store to buy a product while I'm in a bad mood and don't feel up for chit-chat, the sales rep isn't going to make me play nice.
Also, I think Sai was very courteous and patient, given the situation. He obviously knew that if he had actually raised his voice or made a scene, he'd be giving them an excuse not to cooperate. Nonetheless, in the video one of the TSA agents told him to calm down while he was clearly quite calm. That's the kind of shenanigans we see again and again from the TSA.
1) "It's none of your business. I'm going to start recording you to make sure you handle this situation legally"
2) "I'm just rolling a cigarette. Don't worry it's not weed!"
Although most people don't like answering to authority, especially when they aren't required to, option #2 is the path of least resistance. That said, I do respect people like the OP who take the first approach and challenge authority.
You're walking in a busy area and a pair of cops stops you and asks you to show your ID and the contents of your bag.
1) Show the ID (which you're required to in this country, if you're a non-citizen), but not the contents of your bag. 1a) Optionally, ask the policemen's ID and write down their names.
2) Show both the ID and the contents of your bag.
This happened to me a while ago, in Tokyo. Apparently most people do #2. The cops were very surprised that I chose option #1a. It took 15 minutes for them to give up. Apparently most people either don't know that cops cannot search you without probable cause, or they know but don't care. I don't think you need to be particularly courageous to say "no" to a cop, when it's your right to do so and you live in a place where the law is upheld.
Incidentally, I would never antagonize a TSA person or an US immigrant officer like that, as I have no idea of what laws (if any) would protect me, as a non-citizen.
This depends entirely on how much faith I have in the cop's capacity to operate within his legal boundaries.
It's not a hidden camera. He tells them he's recording.
It's not okay to mischaracterize the situation.
OP: In a patronizing tone: "You're required to accept it, and to screen it. You have the means available to screen it, namely xray and explosive trace detection"
TSA: "Sir, where are you going?"
OP: "That's none of your business"