Children need to socialize; but they can't talk to strangers?

Hi cyberfluf, it's funny you notice that, how parents love to set a rule that is a bit confusing for their children. Anyway, I've read a comment from one of the mylotter, I think it's loverbear. It's about the "picking your nose in public" rule. Now that was so funny and embarassing for a parent to be reminded by your own child about your own rule, haha how ironic. Well, I remember one rule my mom always reminds us when I was little, the "Don't interrupt me when I'm talking to someone cause that's rude". I have to say it is a bit rude to be interrupting adults talking. But how were you suppose to ask, "where's the bathroom" or "Can I play with this" without interrupting? So when you don't interrupt them and just try to explore the things you wanna know yourself, you're scolded. Saying that I should just stay right beside her. Duh.. first of all it takes them long hours chatting, plus I can't interact with them or whatever, and she expects me to stay put for that long, I don't know any kid that is normal that could do that.lol

By strangers parents mean older strangers who don't live in the neighborhood or the kind you meet in the streets. Children can be encouraged to make new friends of their own age group. However if the child does not talk to a policeman or concerned citizen when the kid gets lost would be a problem. In school teachers used punish students when found talking, even when there was no teacher in the classroom. How can they expect children to be quite for 5-6 hours. I understand student being punished for making noise, but for simple chatting its a bit extreme.

Well in terms of adults making awkward, weird or unnecessary rules I could give you some from my childhood and several that seem to prop up in current western world "parenting" Don't play outside your way [the entire alphabet] could happen to you -_- - never happened Don't talk too much - See next entry... Don't be silent - Usually said after 'don't talk too much', also leads to 'don't talk too much' if this rule is obeyed Don't fight (directed at boys almost always) -_-? - grandpa's generation fought as kids - dad's generation fought as kids - my generation either stabs, shoots or is pretty much "let's weakling it up!" (but of course, its no one's fault... -_-) Don't cook you'll [burn] the [yourself, stove, food, house] -_-' - ironic since BOTH parents have done all of the above while I never have Don't drink its [bad, very bad, sinful, omg hell for you] -_-? - ironically said before, while or ugh...during drinking Don't smoke its (ah forget it, see "don't drink") - ironically... (nevermind just see "don't drink" for this too) Don't bother me when I [insert anything (very)pointless here] - "Don't worry TV will be your parent, back to (see 'don't drink' or 'don't smoke') About the don't talk to strangers. Its meant for kids not to talk to adults they don't know. However, I'm not too sure (and wouldn't be surprised) if current "parents" applied this to stranger kids and not just adults. If that's the case its even worse than I thought -_-. The strangers are also adjusting by dressing nice like you said Cyberfluf, but they are also using costumes of police, security, authority, etc. There is also a growing sentiment against normal looking guys for being potential [any crime in the alphabet, and of course the obvious crimes -_-]. I've seen stories of fathers being questioned, scrutinized, suspected, for being out in public with their children. And pretty much you've got it. A generation full of people with self esteem issues, social issues, ethical issues, unable to talk or interact with others... and a society hellbent on being overprotected and idiotic. "Fun times ahead (well fun times now too if you think about it)" [/sarcasm]