Today I had to go to 3 different stores looking for a bubble-pack envelope. As I had to keep going from store to store I kept trying to console myself saying, "There is a reason for this. There's a reason I'm having to go to 3 stores to find such a basic item."
Well, I think I found my reason. Sometimes, to hear someone else ranting and being a total bitch is a good reminder to check in and make sure I'm acting like a decent person.
I heard a little kid making little high-pitched screaming/crying noises. And actually, I didn't even hear the kid until I heard this woman say to the Mom, "HOW DO YOU STAND TO LISTEN TO THAT NOISE AT HOME?" Either the Mom ignored her, or she just wasn't as equally loud as this woman and so I didn't hear her reply. But then I heard the lady ask again, "NO REALLY, HOW CAN YOU STAND TO PUT UP WITH THAT?"
The Mom said, "It doesn't bother me at all."
"WELL IT DRIVES ME CRAZY. THAT'S WHY I DON'T HAVE KIDS! GOD! THAT NOISE IS HORRIBLE. IT'S SUCH A SCREECH. I'M GLAD I DON'T HAVE TO PUT UP WITH THAT ALL DAY LONG!"
"Well, then you don't know what you're missing..."
"OH YES I DO! AND THAT'S WHY I DON'T HAVE THEM. KIDS AND PUPPIES. I DON'T HAVE THEM AND I DON'T WANT THEM."
Her ranting went on a little longer than that. I can't remember all the details but I do know that although the kid was screaming, the mean woman was the offensive one!
This lady sounded like someone who not only didn't like kids and puppies, but perhaps hated the world in general. I know she hurt that Mom's feelings and made her mad. The child was old enough to understand what the lady was saying, so if she was paying attention, her feelings may have been hurt as well.
From the looks of things, the lady seemed a little crazy. But even if you're crazy, is it okay to offer your mean unsolicited opinions? What was her intention I wonder?
After listening to that woman, I breathed a little sigh of relief... I may have been feeling a little cranky, but I was so glad I was no where NEAR what that lady must have been feeling to say such unkind things to a stranger. I was reminded lots of times, most of the time, okay NO,- ALL of the time, crankiness shouldn't be taken out on others!
1 comment:
Both sides are in the wrong here, but I feel the bigger problem is parents who don't know what allowing a little kid to get away with this kind of behavior does in the long run. Eventually the kid will realize that he/she/it is in control. I personally side more with "the mean bitch". I don't want to hear some brat whining on and on about what they don't like while I'm out and about. Sure I can ignore it, but why doesn't the parent have CONTROL of their kid? The first time this behavior starts the PARENT needs to take action and explain to the kid why that sort of outburst is unacceptable. I got beaten for pulling stunts like that and it seemed pretty effective at stopping the undesired behavior. Nowadays "they" have different approaches... time will tell how effective they are.
But for the record: I love puppies! ;-)
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