children learn manners from adults..or is the other way around?
By mom_of_2
@mom_of_2 (398)
Canada
May 7, 2007 12:40am CST
We all agree that children need to be taught manners, but you know what's worse than a child without manners? An adult who doesn't have any manners! An experience in the grocery store this afternoon has left me a little discusted with the way some "grown ups" act and the lack of respect some people show for others.
I was grocery shopping with my 3 1/2 year old daughter today...an eldery lady had a demo table set up and was offering the customers a sample of pizza made fresh in the deli. Anyway as my daughter and I passed by this lady she took notice of my little girl and struck up conversation. We listened to her tell us about her grandchildren while sampling the pizza. when she was done I said to my daughter "ok hunny, lets finish our shopping". I no sooner got the words out of my mouth when I hear a woman say "If she doesn't wanna get the F**k out of the way, run the b!tch over" I was astonished..I turned around and there was a woman and her husband was pushing their cart, I guess they were behind me wanting to get past. I don't curse around children and I do preech manners to my kids...I was mortified! I looked at this woman and politley said "EXCUSE ME WORKS".
With that I took my daughters hand and continued on shopping. Low and behold I get down the next isle and I'm busy looking for our favorite snack food when this woman comes racing down the isle...grabs a flat of pop (cans) and slams then in her cart..so hard my daughter and I both jumped. Then she looks at me and yells to her husband, who is about 5 steps ahead of her, "THERE'S THE F*'EN B!TCH, THERE".
My poor little girl just looked at me...along with the other 6 or so people in the isle. I was so shocked (among other things) I just pretended that I never heard her..never looked at her, just took my daughters hand and left that isle. All I could think was... stay dignified and show my daughter how a decent person reacts to such displays of anger.
I know its annoying when someone stops in the isle to chat...I get annoyed too but whats wrong with simply saying "excuse me". And yes ok, maybe I was bieng snippy when I said "excuse me works" but seriously...is the swearing called for in the presence of a young child?
Its no wonder our youth have poor manners and potty mouths...look at some of their role models!
4 people like this
7 responses
@nana1944 (1364)
• United States
8 May 07
That woman is totally digusting. A little mpoliteness goes a long way. She probably has taught her kids that that kind of behavior is right by her actions and it makes me wonder how they talk to her. You showed a great deal of restraint. People do need to slow down and smell the roses.
1 person likes this
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
7 May 07
I take it from the thoughts you had to stay dignified
showing your daughter good response, that you would have probably come unravelled if you would have been alone at the time. I'd just like to say Congradulations on a job well done. I expect by the way you conduct yourself your daughter knows good manners by now even at the tender age of 3 1/2. It's just no wonder the world is what it is today. I think that woman really made an a-- of herself and good for you that you didn't lower your standards to meet her level because she showed her ignorance in a full blown display. Keep up excellent parenting. It will truly pay off one day, if it hasn't already.
1 person likes this
@mom_of_2 (398)
• Canada
7 May 07
I tell you one thing...if I ever found out my children, NO MATTER THEIR AGE, talked to anyone like that...I would come unglued. My kids are far from perfect but I do consider them respectful. I was taught manners and to be respectful of other peoples feelings as well as their possesions and if I teach my kids anything it will be exactly that. Its pretty sad that no cares enough about that woman to take time and explain the importance of other peoples feelings.
@rogue13xmen13 (14403)
• United States
8 May 07
Manners come from the society and the people that you are around.
@CinderInMySoul (4717)
• United States
7 May 07
omg!! what a b*tch!! somebody must have recently shoved a pole up her a$$!! lol
you had every right to be snippy in your polite reply to her! and proud of the example you were to your daughter in how to in handle such a situtation.
i would have done the same thing with the first instance. but i know i would have chewed her up one side and down the other after her second verbal attack!
she is very lucky that she encountered someone that was taught manners and uses them. cause if she had made those remarks with someone of her own temperment a fight would have probably broken out right there in the aisle!!
waaay back they used to be actual schools that girls went to study ettiquite and manners. in fact i used to have a little book of just that subject from 1898! damned if we dont need those classes for boys and girls of todays age!
hopefully her husband or SOMEONE will remove that pole, cause its apparantly so painful all kinds of sh*t is coming out of her mouth.
LMAO!
1 person likes this
@mom_of_2 (398)
• Canada
7 May 07
lmao...your last line of this reply is so funny, yet so true...
And you have no idea how raw my tongue was from biting it LOL. I wanted rip her a new a$$ but If I would have then I would be no better. I told my husband, had our daughter not been with me...the fur woulda been flying. He reminded me that the situation probably wouldn't have happened if I were alone. I've just never seen such behavior in a grocery store but I feel better now that I've been able to laugh about it. Thanks
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
7 May 07
I inculcate good manners to my children. It is a basic thing in life. Unfortunately when they are in their teens and mix around with friends they picked up vulgar words and poor manners from their friends. But of course we have to instill good values in them1
1 person likes this
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
7 May 07
You are truly a better person then me. I would have handle the first incident the same way as you did. But when she did it the second time around I would have asked her if she talked to her mother with that same filthy mouth. I have had this happen to me a few times. I don't understand why people have to be so nasty. If they are in such a hurry then I would suggest that they pick a different time to shop. Nobody should have to tolerate such behavior.
1 person likes this
@mom_of_2 (398)
• Canada
7 May 07
Its funny how after a situation like this, you replay everything and come up with a bunch of.."wish I would have said this.." I thought that too...maybe she should do her shopping first thing in the morning when there's not to many other shoppers.
My hubbys come back was the best. He thought I should have said " Lady relax...there is enough food in the store for all of us, no need to be in a panic"
