I'm so frickin' homesick...

[AdjectiveNounVerb]

Originally Posted by bailadora

At the playground, my daughter was playing with the bocci balls. Another kid came up to her and told her to move because he wanted to play there. I glanced over at the mom, but she was too busy texting on her phone to pay attention. When the kid repeated his demand, I said very gently, "Sweetie - you need to wait your turn. My daughter was here first." The mom looked up and shot me a go to hell look for daring to say something to her little angel.

I grew up in Georgia in the 80s and remember seeing people respond just as poorly or worse to my dad when he had the effrontery to object to the shit their shit parenting was allowing their shit children to do in public. That "how dare you object to my little angel mistreating everyone around it!" attitude's been around for a long time and isn't limited by geography as far as I can tell.

The solution is, of course, wolves and other large predators.

[louise_lloyd]

Originally Posted by bailadora

My son is a pretty good egg. Like most kids, he can act like a little turd at home, but out in public, he's pretty well mannered and polite. On the rare occasions he slips, he's quickly reminded of his p's and q's by both my husband and I.

Every time hubby and I see polite children, our first (private) reaction is "what great parents". Keep up the good work.

[NippleMuncher]

Originally Posted by louise_lloyd

Every time hubby and I see polite children, our first (private) reaction is "what great parents". Keep up the good work.

I have the same reaction. Conversely, the brats make me want to go slap the parents.

[louise_lloyd]

Originally Posted by NippleMuncher

I have the same reaction. Conversely, the brats make me want to go slap the parents.

Our thoughts are identical!

[Nightierub]

I understand where you're coming from. My wife is from the south and was dragged up here by her asshole ex who then maneuvered to take custody of their kid and she's been stuck here but plans on moving back when her kid graduates. But she hates it here in the midwest and everyone here has that arrogance and entitlement attitude. I have lived here most of my life and have really started hating interacting with folks. They tend to be insular here and the attitude is "If you're not from here you ain't one of us." They look down on outsiders and I live in a city of about a half million people! I understand your pain and hope your situation improves.

[missgiter]

Originally Posted by bailadora

At the bookstore, my son held the door for a family of five as they were entering the building. Not a single one of them acknowledged the favor. Not even a smile. They just sailed right through as if it was their right to have the door held for them.

That's the one that would have gotten me. I probably wouldn't have the decency enough to keep my mouth shut. I'm from Indiana, where you get both worlds. You find some kind, you find some not-so-kind. The farther south we travel, it's such a washing over relief feeling with the niceties of people...

My advice is to find your inner voice. It's ok to let people know when they are being rude. I would have politely called out, "You're WELCOME!" Some people just need to be reminded.

It's a true shame people have to be like that, and the more people that are - the more that think it's Ok.

[radar182]

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