Today R had to go back to work after the big parade. I wanted to hit the Albertson's sale to buy some cereals. After the five-minute process of getting the kids out of the van and Sammy into the front-pack, we were finally ready. As we were walking into the store, a gruff, slightly rough 40-something male passed us. I heard him muttering loud enough for me to hear or catch the drift of his wussy statement.
What did he say? No, not the obvious and expected "hey hot mama- your oven must be as hot as you!", or even "hey- your kids are adorable. But you're too young to be their Mom!" Of course I've never gotten either of those comments before but I would have preferred either of them. Instead the stinky sourpuss just said with disgust, "sheesh (or a swear-word)...how many kids do you have...mumble mumble". Since we never made eye-contact (the weakling) my reaction time was too slow. We entered the store and all of a sudden I got really mad! I wanted to race back out there and say "excuse me, what did you say? What is your problem man?" I would have, but obviously I did have quite a crowd with me that I couldn't take with me while throwing that man down.
What makes me mad is that my kids weren't even misbehaving yet! They weren't in this man's way, they weren't whining. They weren't crying or being loud.
What kind of person doesn't like the sight of children? What kind of person takes out his grumpiness on a mom and her posse he knows nothing about?
A mean person.
I only wish I could have punched I mean talked nicely with this man to find out why he he is such a lame rottom. Then we'd both be resolved.
RRrgg... unrequited anger is a tough one for me...
Thursday, July 24, 2008
This never would have happened at Macey's...
Posted by cold cocoa at 2:11 PM
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I have trouble with strangers' comments too, especially the ones who think it is their duty to tell me my mothering deficiencies. When they preface their comment with, "If I were you, rude, rude, rude." I usually counter with, "If I were you I'd mind my own business." But that leaves me feeling worse because not only did they do the wrong thing, but I did, too. The next time someone makes rude comments to me my plan is to say, "Thank you for your concern," in a very kind voice (not fake kind) and walk away.
Oh hon'. He is probably really just concerned about the environment and your children's overuse of our resources---like buying all the sale cereal he wanted.
Don't let him make you leave a couple kids in the car next time just to hide the fact you have a passel. And isn't it really better that he made a snide remark rather than a lame pass at you? (though you really do have a hot oven with all those cookies you make)
Sounds like this guy couldn't get to his Marbloro's fast enough... or maybe it was the cereal sale.
It's frustrating when you think of all the things you could have said or done AFTER the fact--like taking him down with that big kid totin' shopping cart!
p.s. Megz--very funny and c.c. I liked the hot oven joke.
I enjoyed your carnival post and must say first that I stink at bargaining and do not like to do it. I don't want anyone to feel cheated and "they" always seem disappointed with whatever price we agree on so how am I supposed to know if I got cheated or they did?
As for the rude man. It really could happen at Macey's, or Smith's, or anywhere that the general public are allowed. I like how Michelle is planning ahead. I hope it works for her. I always rehash it later and wonder what I could have done better. Just take it as a complement. He probably thought you were too young which just means that you are looking very fit for a Mom of four. Way to go!
I haven't run into too much of that since we moved away from Seattle (and considering that I have 2 more kids now that's nice)... however I did manage to get in a few good answers to some people...
Concerned Citizen in CostCo - "oh, 3 kids... are you planning to have MORE?"
Me - Not today, thanks for asking.
but when they don't give you a chance to give a smile and witty remark, the anger just builds. That's when I call up Q on the phone and ask if I can vent... he's given me the go-ahead to call and complain about the nasty lady in the WalMart automotive department last week :)
ack - I ran to Smith's today for THEIR cereal sale - and took W and P with me... big mistake! I didn't get any comments about # of children, but I sure got a lot of looks about out of control children since they were trying to see how many floor tiles they could long jump over... groan, I always thought it got easier to shop with them as they got older but no... turns out you just have to yell louder :)
once a man said to me, "what, did you start having kids when you were eight?" which was something only a really stupid person would say, so I should just feel sorry for him instead of mad, right? but i am so ready for someone to say something like that to me again. . . .only now that I have three kids nobody says anything anymore! they must have aged me considerably. . .
Post a Comment