View Full Version : I really embarrassed some woman today
zodiac66
10-10-2006, 16:53
Much to my dismay, I had to go to the grocery store today. I am the poster girl for poor college student now so it hit me hard in the pocket book.
So, I do my shopping (got some pretty good deals in the process) and headed to the checkout. In front of me is a lady with her 2 year old son and 6 week old infant. She has WIC coupons. She was using the whole lot at once. I have absolutely no problem with WIC coupons..I have a problem with what she did.
She put the wrong type of cheese in her buggy. She decided to go and get the correct type. That is fine and dandy. She took her 2 year old but left her infant at the end of the checkout line in the infant seat. She walked away and my mouth dropped open. How the hell do you just leave your infant in the carrier at the checkout? The cashier and bagger were just as amazed as I was. When she came back, I told her that was not a good thing to do. That is worse than leaving the infant in a locked car while paying for gas. You left your child in a populated area with strangers.
She gave me a nasty look and left.
I just don't understand people.
I'm glad you did this Zodi. :thumbsup: Hopefully next time the woman will think before doing something so stupid/reckless with her child.
If only more people would speak up about the way that children get treated (or the lack of treatment), perhaps our world would be slightly better.
edit: Crap! on reading your other post in the "tell us about you" thread, I see I may not be qualified to refer to you as Zodi. :cry:
SaroDarksbane
10-10-2006, 17:07
My fiancee and I are constantly amazed by the way people look after their children in public places. Seems a day can't go by without us seeing a parent with a small child trailing along far behind them while they just go about their business not paying any attention.
Or worse yet, seeing a small child wandering about a store with no discernable parent in sight.
PatMaGroin
10-10-2006, 17:08
You should've hid the kid. That would've been fun. The cashier could've stashed him/her behind the register.
HockeyChic
10-10-2006, 17:58
I see mom's doing this crap all the time. I just don't get what people are thinking or if they even are thinking at all for that matter.
zodiac66
10-10-2006, 18:55
I see mom's doing this crap all the time. I just don't get what people are thinking or if they even are thinking at all for that matter.
Tell me about it..
I was so angry at her actions. Maybe it is just me..but there is no way that I would even leave my 13 year old at the checkout. He hoofs with me. Samara hoofs with me.
That whole episode just baffles me. Children are the greatest gift ever...and to leave them at the checkout so you can get cheese?
I was a *****. Funny thing, she was not a young mother.
I was just shocked at what she did. It was like she didn't even think twice about her infant.
See, it was me..with cranky toddler. Would I ever leave her at the checkout..lord no. When Samara was born..did I ever think cheese was more important...no.
I am starting to let go a tad with Liam..he is almost 14. But I would never, ever leave Samara alone..anywhere.
The whole thing just makes me wonder about parents.
I agree with Pat, you should have hidden the child behind the register, or perhaps behind the M&Ms.
pancakeman
10-10-2006, 20:33
seeing a small child wandering about a store with no discernable parent in sight.
That would be me at age 4. Not irresponsible parents, just inquisitive child.
You did the right thing Zod, now if only we could do that to all the parents I see with a 1-2 yr old child in the back seat of a car without a carseat, flopping all over the place...
ModeratelyConfused
10-10-2006, 21:20
I agree with Pat, you should have hidden the child behind the register, or perhaps behind the M&Ms.
Better yet, go to the produce aisle and find the cauliflowers. Stick the child in there and cover everything but the head up with cauliflowers. When the mother asks where the brat is, say s/he wanted to play hide-and-seek.
SuggestiveName
10-10-2006, 21:55
You should've hid the kid.I read that as "you should've hit the kid", and thought that you were a horrible person. Shame on you.
You don't understand her carelessness, or you don't understand the dirty look?
You should've hid the kid.
Warmer... warmer... colder... oh, ice cold...
I read that as "you should've hit the kid",
Yeah, me too.
The Future now
10-10-2006, 22:47
I guess if somebody kidnapped the kid she'd lose about a 1/3 of her welfare money, so yeah, that was pretty irresponsible.
HockeyChic
10-10-2006, 22:51
Warmer... warmer... colder... oh, ice cold...
OMG!!!! That would have been hysterical! I'd never have the nerve to do it, but I'd love to watch it happen.
You should've hid the kid.
The mother probably wouldn't have noticed until she was halfway home.
DurfBarian
11-10-2006, 01:49
I am the poster girl for poor college student . . . She took her 2 year old but left her infant at the end of the checkout line in the infant seat.
Do you know how much a healthy baby goes for nowadays? You could have solved your money problems right then and there. :wink2:
The Future now
11-10-2006, 03:13
Do you know how much a healthy baby goes for nowadays? You could have solved your money problems right then and there. :wink2:
Or saved money on the grocery bill by eating the nutritious baby!
PatMaGroin
11-10-2006, 04:06
I guess if somebody kidnapped the kid she'd lose about a 1/3 of her welfare money, so yeah, that was pretty irresponsible.
How'd you get banned the first time again, I forget.
Hi All,
Interesting reading all your comments, but I couldn't help wondering if the topic should be "bad parenting" or "the dangers of living in American".
Now before you all get you panties in wad, and accuse me of being anti-american .... I live in a country where it is an accepted practise for mothers (or fathers) to leave their babies outside of shops in prams while they go inside to do whatever they need to do.
I don't mean when they go into a department store of many floors, where the actual pram can enter the building, but rather the little basement boutiques where the steps are too steep to take a pram down. In this situation it is quite normal to leave the baby outside. Actually it was more common 10 years ago, but nowadays with the world getting more paranoid this habit is becoming less common.
Which country does this happen in ...... Denmark. In the 15 years I've been living in this country I have not heard of a single case of the baby being kidnapped, or interferred with in any way. It is an accepted danish tradition, and if the police saw an unattended pram outside shop with a baby onboard, they wouldn't blink an eye at it.
Any of you remember the case a year or 2 ago, when a danish mum left her baby in pram outside a New York Restuarant while she had her lunch inside, and someone called the police and she was arrested for child endangerment ? The charges were eventually dropped when the Danish Ambassador was contacted and he explained that leaving babies outside was a common practise 'back home'. Ofcourse she was told that doing this in New York was not the same as doing it in a Danish city ...
I wonder what you all think of the another danish traditon, where a baby / young child is wrapped up warmly in clothes, placed under a doona in their pram then put outside in the middle of winter (-10 degrees) for an afternoon nap ? I must admit the first time I saw a pram outside in snow with a 6 month old baby (my godson) having his afternoon nap, I was like wtf .... then my wife and the baby's mother explained that it was quite a normal thing to do in Denmark. Something about fresh air being good for the kid. Hehe, no wonder the vikings are such hardy folks.
.... so just because the situation Zodi described in the original post might be considered child endangerment in America, its certainly isn't in some other countries.
Regards
Syxx
I doubt it would be considered child endangerment here in Australia either, a bit careless maybe.
How'd you get banned the first time again, I forget.
Nobody said the mother was black...
Cannon Fodder
11-10-2006, 06:07
Hi All,
Interesting reading all your comments, but I couldn't help wondering if the topic should be "bad parenting" or "the dangers of living in American".
Now before you all get you panties in wad, and accuse me of being anti-american .... I live in a country where it is an accepted practise for mothers (or fathers) to leave their babies outside of shops in prams while they go inside to do whatever they need to do.
I don't mean when they go into a department store of many floors, where the actual pram can enter the building, but rather the little basement boutiques where the steps are too steep to take a pram down. In this situation it is quite normal to leave the baby outside. Actually it was more common 10 years ago, but nowadays with the world getting more paranoid this habit is becoming less common.
Which country does this happen in ...... Denmark. In the 15 years I've been living in this country I have not heard of a single case of the baby being kidnapped, or interferred with in any way. It is an accepted danish tradition, and if the police saw an unattended pram outside shop with a baby onboard, they wouldn't blink an eye at it.
Any of you remember the case a year or 2 ago, when a danish mum left her baby in pram outside a New York Restuarant while she had her lunch inside, and someone called the police and she was arrested for child endangerment ? The charges were eventually dropped when the Danish Ambassador was contacted and he explained that leaving babies outside was a common practise 'back home'. Ofcourse she was told that doing this in New York was not the same as doing it in a Danish city ...
I wonder what you all think of the another danish traditon, where a baby / young child is wrapped up warmly in clothes, placed under a doona in their pram then put outside in the middle of winter (-10 degrees) for an afternoon nap ? I must admit the first time I saw a pram outside in snow with a 6 month old baby (my godson) having his afternoon nap, I was like wtf .... then my wife and the baby's mother explained that it was quite a normal thing to do in Denmark. Something about fresh air being good for the kid. Hehe, no wonder the vikings are such hardy folks.
.... so just because the situation Zodi described in the original post might be considered child endangerment in America, its certainly isn't in some other countries.
Regards
Syxx
Kidnapping and bad people in general aside, I still wouldn't leave my baby unattended. There's a whole host of things that can happen to them that aren't anyone's fault. These are babies- they're completely defenseless from say, a falling tree branch. Maybe a shopping cart got away from someone or a person feel asleep at the wheel. I don't know- there's a million things that can go wrong and while I realize you can't be totally paranoid and protect your child from every possibility, not being out of view of them when in a public place seems like an obvious one to me. Why take the chance? Look at it this way- if leaving your kid out was an accepted practice, and you did and something horrible happened to them... would you ever be able to forgive yourself? Would it being 'acceptable' make any difference?
WebDragon
11-10-2006, 06:14
You should've hid the kid. That would've been fun. The cashier could've stashed him/her behind the register.
Aww come on! None of you watch the Simpsons anymore? Scan, bag, and put em in the trolley. :grin:
It's easy, Syxx. Americans are carnivores, Danes are not.
It's easy, Syxx. Americans are carnivores, Danes are not.
Yeah, but you don't eat baby rare...
Drosselmeier
11-10-2006, 09:56
I read that as "you should've hit the kid", and thought that you were a horrible person. Shame on you.
Because fooling the parent that the child has been kidnapped or something is so much nicer. :laugh:
I read it "hit" too, by the way.
As for the topic, I sort of agree with syxx. I see parents who let their kids wander off and do as they please in cafés, shops, parks and other places. It's not at all umusual in some places. It's stupid of course, and I would never do it personally. The only kid I ever really deal with is my niece, and since she's my little princess I barely let her walk over a threshold without holding hands. She could stub a toe or something. :undecided:
There are other good reasons than safety not to leave small children unattended in public places. I don't know how many times I've been verbally harassed, had things thrown at me, stared at menacingly or similar by small children whose parents think everything their child does is cute, and that everyone else feels the same way. A couple of months ago I saw a kid of about three throwing rocks at birds at an outdoors café without the parents bothering to do anything about it. Insane.
myleftfoot
11-10-2006, 10:27
Kidnapping and bad people in general aside, I still wouldn't leave my baby unattended. There's a whole host of things that can happen to them that aren't anyone's fault. These are babies- they're completely defenseless from say, a falling tree branch. Maybe a shopping cart got away from someone or a person feel asleep at the wheel. I don't know- there's a million things that can go wrong and while I realize you can't be totally paranoid and protect your child from every possibility, not being out of view of them when in a public place seems like an obvious one to me. Why take the chance? Look at it this way- if leaving your kid out was an accepted practice, and you did and something horrible happened to them... would you ever be able to forgive yourself? Would it being 'acceptable' make any difference?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT THERE?!?!?!?!? A FALLING BRANCH COULD HAVE KILLED YOU!!!! haha, sorry just found that very funny.
I don't know if there is anything anyone can do about a falling branch :)
The Future now
11-10-2006, 10:37
From the woman's perspective, I don't see what was so dangerous about it. Unless both you (Zodiac) and the cashier are kidnappers who are in cahoots, the baby would be fine.
DurfBarian
11-10-2006, 10:37
I don't know if there is anything anyone can do about a falling branch :)
Well, Isaac Newton would take that opportunity and invent gravity. I don't know why kids these days can't show similar gumption and stick-to-it-iveness.
myleftfoot
11-10-2006, 10:46
Well, Isaac Newton would take that opportunity and invent gravity. I don't know why kids these days can't show similar gumption and stick-to-it-iveness.
Perhaps when hit by the branch they could show a bit of bouncebackability to prevent it next time thus learning from their own mistakes i.e. Stop gravity.
(if you're making up words so can I)
stick-to-it-iveness.
May I proffer the word "perseverance"?
I don't mean when they go into a department store of many floors, where the actual pram can enter the building, but rather the little basement boutiques where the steps are too steep to take a pram down.
What do you mean by pram? Isn't that a boat?
HockeyChic
11-10-2006, 13:58
What do you mean by pram? Isn't that a boat?
A Pram is basically a stroller or baby buggy
I recently moved from Holland to Denmark and I noticed the same thing Syxx was talking about. People leave their kids alone in outside shops, alone in unlocked cars with the keys in it and stuff like that. To me that goes a bit too far. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something would happen. Even if there has never been a case of kidnapping I wouldn't take the chance. There has to be a first time for everything and it better not be my kid.
On the other hand I think too much paranoia isn't good either. Not for the kid or the parents. I think a 13 year old is perfectly capable of walking in a store on his/her own.
ModeratelyConfused
11-10-2006, 14:26
Yeah, I was allowed to bike to the store at 13, as long as I was careful, yadda yadda yadda...
And speaking of paranoia, there's these two people that I often see walking back from class that has to be a mother and son pair. Normally, that would be so bad except that she walks him to class, this is college, they live together in college housing, his hair is approximately 4.5 feet long (not kidding), and it looks like she coddles him with everything. Kinda creepy.
HockeyChic
11-10-2006, 16:00
And speaking of paranoia, there's these two people that I often see walking back from class that has to be a mother and son pair. Normally, that would be so bad except that she walks him to class, this is college, they live together in college housing, his hair is approximately 4.5 feet long (not kidding), and it looks like she coddles him with everything. Kinda creepy.
Admit it, you're jealous. Maybe it's he is just into older women and that's his girlfriend.
ModeratelyConfused
11-10-2006, 16:48
I really need to get a picture of them, it's kinda creepy. Maybe that's what I need, and older woman. :wink2:
Old people go to college too, you know. Maybe she's a student.
pancakeman
11-10-2006, 17:10
And speaking of paranoia, there's these two people that I often see walking back from class that has to be a mother and son pair. Normally, that would be so bad except that she walks him to class, this is college, they live together in college housing, his hair is approximately 4.5 feet long (not kidding), and it looks like she coddles him with everything. Kinda creepy.
Most states have a program that will let you go to college at a very young age, but your parent has to go with you. Really sucks when you have to have your mom walking around with you. Trust me.
Admit it, you're jealous. Maybe it's he is just into older women and that's his girlfriend.
You know how hard it is to pick up college chicks at his age?
"Hey baby, wanna pick me up this Friday and go see a PG movie?"
I wasted my Five Hundredth Post!!!!!!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Stompwampa
11-10-2006, 17:26
Zodi, you should have grabbed the baby and followed the woman to the cheese aisle, "Excuse me? Ma'am? You forget your CHILD to go get some stupid CHEESE!" Say it good an loud so people look at her. Give her the baby, and walk away quietly.
By the way, Zodiac. What makes you think she was embarrassed? She was probably without shame.
AeroJonesy
11-10-2006, 17:32
From the woman's perspective, I don't see what was so dangerous about it. Unless both you (Zodiac) and the cashier are kidnappers who are in cahoots, the baby would be fine.
That was my initial thought. I mean, how many random baby kidnappings are there really?
Stompwampa
11-10-2006, 17:33
That was my initial thought. I mean, how many random baby kidnappings are there really?
Probably not many...but is your child worth taking that chance? I sure as hell wouldn't do it.
ModeratelyConfused
11-10-2006, 17:33
Old people go to college too, you know. Maybe she's a student.
It's possible, but they live together, and have a very large family resemblance. And she always walks the kid to class, protectively, and then walks back to her room.
AeroJonesy
11-10-2006, 17:35
Probably not many...but is your child worth taking that chance? I sure as hell wouldn't do it.
I'll bet the drive home is more dangerous.
Stompwampa
11-10-2006, 17:38
what do you mean?
AeroJonesy
11-10-2006, 17:41
To the child's health and welfare and all that jazz.
Stompwampa
11-10-2006, 17:41
as far as what....?
He's saying the kid is more likely to die in a horrible, bone-crushing automobile accident than he is to be kidnapped in a store full of people.
pancakeman
11-10-2006, 20:42
He's saying the kid is more likely to die in a horrible, bone-crushing automobile accident than he is to be kidnapped in a store full of people.
You can just rock me to sleep tonite.
HAMC8112
11-10-2006, 20:49
He's saying the kid is more likely to die in a horrible, bone-crushing automobile accident than he is to be kidnapped in a store full of people.
So she turns out to be doing him a favor actually. :laugh:
ModeratelyConfused
11-10-2006, 21:47
You can just rock me to sleep tonite.
Well, if you're looking for someone to take you up on that. :wink2:
pancakeman
11-10-2006, 22:15
Well, if you're looking for someone to take you up on that.
Ewwwwwwwwwww.....
What do you mean by pram? Isn't that a boat?
You don't use the word "pram" in America? Huh, I didn't know that.
It's a contraction of "perambulator".
You can just rock me to sleep tonite.
Tonight I will feast on your soul.
I recently moved from Holland to Denmark and I noticed the same thing Syxx was talking about. People leave their kids alone in outside shops, alone in unlocked cars with the keys in it and stuff like that. To me that goes a bit too far. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something would happen. Even if there has never been a case of kidnapping I wouldn't take the chance. There has to be a first time for everything and it better not be my kid.
On the other hand I think too much paranoia isn't good either. Not for the kid or the parents. I think a 13 year old is perfectly capable of walking in a store on his/her own.
People here used to leave their kids in the car while they went into the shops all the time. Not so much these days, especially since some high-profile cases of kids left in cars in casino parking lots in the hot sun. A few kids died while their parents played the pokies, I think.
You don't use the word "pram" in America? Huh, I didn't know that.
It's a contraction of "perambulator".
It's not used in Canada, either. I didn't know what a pram was until I looked it up from Monty Python's 'Camelot' song.
Stompwampa
12-10-2006, 01:31
He's saying the kid is more likely to die in a horrible, bone-crushing automobile accident than he is to be kidnapped in a store full of people.
But leaving your kid alone is just damn ignorant and stupid. At least you have some amount of power and control over most other aspects of your childrens' life.
Sir EvilFreeSmeg
12-10-2006, 03:54
Yeah, but you don't eat baby rare...
That's right. First you have to skin them and fry them in Exxon oil. Serve with a spotted owl garnish
Hi All,
So Americans and Canadians do not use the word 'pram' for the wheeled thingy used to carry kids around in. I thought it was a universal term in english speaking countries, but I was wrong. So what do you call such a contraption ?
Aside : Thanks ECI, It's nice to start the day with some humor and your posting made me smile.
Regards
Syxx
Hi All,
So Americans and Canadians do not use the word 'pram' for the wheeled thingy used to carry kids around in. I thought it was a universal term in english speaking countries, but I was wrong. So what do you call such a contraption ?
Aside : Thanks ECI, It's nice to start the day with some humor and your posting made me smile.
Regards
Syxx
Typically a stroller, or I occasionally (not often) hear the term 'buggy' used, mostly by older people when referring to a particularly large stroller.
oh that's nothing. i worked at a supermarket before, and one night (nearly 9pm) i see this kid (about 6 years old) running in the parking lot. he was wandering from section to section like he was looking for his parents (or their car). i was about to run after him, when he bolted out of sight... the first thing i did, of course, was run inside and tell the manager/security that there was a lost child, gave his description, etc.
the store was just about to issue a store-wide alert/lockdown and search for the child when i saw him, apparently with his mother. stupid stupid stupid.
myleftfoot
12-10-2006, 09:38
Probably not many...but is your child worth taking that chance? I sure as hell wouldn't do it.
I agree, I won't even leave my child with my family and anyone who does is a monster. You just never know do you???
HAMC8112
12-10-2006, 10:07
I agree, I won't even leave my child with my family and anyone who does is a monster. You just never know do you???
Smart thinking, afterall, you know your family best.
myleftfoot
12-10-2006, 10:10
Smart thinking, afterall, you know your family best.
I think I do, but you never know.
SaroDarksbane
12-10-2006, 12:08
He's saying the kid is more likely to die in a horrible, bone-crushing automobile accident than he is to be kidnapped in a store full of people.
So it would be better to just leave the child in the store overnight, rather than drive it home?
Is that what he's getting at?
myleftfoot
12-10-2006, 12:15
So it would be better to just leave the child in the store overnight, rather than drive it home?
Is that what he's getting at?
Don't make a big deal out of either of them is what he's getting at.
SaroDarksbane
12-10-2006, 13:40
Don't make a big deal out of either of them is what he's getting at.
Oh, so he's saying that because some risks are necessary, you should go ahead and take the unnecessary ones too?
I think what he was trying to say was "darn kids, geddof ma porch!".
myleftfoot
12-10-2006, 15:13
Oh, so he's saying that because some risks are necessary, you should go ahead and take the unnecessary ones too?
Nope, that's not what he's saying. It's fairly obvious, you're just being a dolt and turning this argument circular. :grin:
ModeratelyConfused
12-10-2006, 16:18
I prefer my arguments in the form of a rhomboid.
Talga Vasternich
12-10-2006, 17:29
Oh, so he's saying that because some risks are necessary, you should go ahead and take the unnecessary ones too?
I'll bite :wink3:
While I believe that leaving an infant at a checkout register while one goes to pick another item up is bad because it is representative of other poor decisions made by that parent, I do not believe that act, alone, is a risk.
If you can show me any example of a child that was abducted because that child was left at an attended register (with other customers in line) while the parent remained in the store and was back promptly, I will say it is a risk and that I am completely wrong.
I'll bite :wink3:
While I believe that leaving an infant at a checkout register while one goes to pick another item up is bad because it is representative of other poor decisions made by that parent, I do not believe that act, alone, is a risk.
If you can show me any example of a child that was abducted because that child was left at an attended register (with other customers in line) while the parent remained in the store and was back promptly, I will say it is a risk and that I am completely wrong.
I did that this morning.
Kid was really young though, hardly enough for a snack. I may go back tonight.
Talga Vasternich
12-10-2006, 18:01
I did that this morning.
Kid was really young though, hardly enough for a snack. I may go back tonight.
See if you can pick one up for me, while you're there. :evil:
But leaving your kid alone is just damn ignorant and stupid. At least you have some amount of power and control over most other aspects of your childrens' life.
You'll get no argument from me, pal.
Nope, that's not what he's saying. It's fairly obvious, you're just being a dolt and turning this argument circular. :grin:
Yep. And besides...I spoke for Jonesy ONCE, I wasnt looking for a full time job of it.
See if you can pick one up for me, while you're there. :evil:
Check your mailbox. :thumbsup:
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