What should you do when an unknown preschooler comes up to you and says, "Hey you"?

Question

If you ignore the demand he shouts, "You pay attention when I talk to you!" The parents either are not around or ignore the whole thing.

Answer 1

I would back up a step and raise my hand palm up at the scamp and say STRANGER , STRANGER and see the reaction!!

Answer 2

I don't think by the size of my husband any kid would have the nerve to say that, he's a awful big boy. Me, I'm petite and I'd just say, "didn't your Mama teach you any manners?"
Now if he had the nerve to shout out the second phase, I think I'd have to find his Mother and have a talk with her.
I'm from the old school and am not going to tolerate a mouthy little boy talking that way to me

Answer 3

Easy enough. Bend down and using your most toothy smile say "Didn't your parents ever tell you not to talk to strangers" and then laugh as they run away screaming!...

Seriously though, my daughter was coming home from work last week, and passing the local school yard as she did. There were two children playing in the school yard, about 8 and 10 years old. No parent around. And since we have lived here for years we know all the local kids by sight--these ones weren't local.

They came running up to her as she passed the gate that opens onto the yard and said "Hello. Our Dad is out of work and out of money. We need food and money for a hotel. Could you help us?" She was just totally flabbergasted! I mean, to send your CHILDREN out begging. And she says the kids looked quite well otherwise--well fed, well rested, well groomed. But PANHANDLING! Imagine?!

Answer 4

My first instinct would be maybe this child is lost or in trouble and I would find this info out first. Kids usually speak what they are taught or allowed to by their parents.
If I find out he is just being rude but wants to talk I will ask him/her to be more polite then find the parents. A preschooler does not need to be unsupervised or speak to strangers.

Answer 5

This is a baby just mimicing what adults say to him .. For crying out loud. I cannot believe how some adults(?) answered this question. Just find the parents, whats the matter with you. If the parents are there, just ignore him/her.

Answer 6

Don't lower yourself to argue with him. Ignore him and if he keeps annoying you tell the parents, "I think your child has a problem that needs attention"!

Answer 7

Smile and say I am a witch and I am going to turn you into a nasty little frog if you dont get out of here right now :-) Theres a good chance he has seen Harry Potter - works like a charm.

Its been my experience if you try to be nice to the little monsters who approach you this way its going to go downhill real fast. Yes they are mimicing their parents, but when someone says "You pay attention when I talk to you!" it isnt going be good.

Answer 8

Ha that is ridiculous. I'd just walk away. If the parents don't care about this behavior, then it is not your job to correct it. Besides it would just continue after you left anyway.

Answer 9

i would tell him that I'm not speaking to you until you talk to me nicely....then, drop-kick him. Just Kidding!!! Kids that do that get way too much attention at home. The thing that gets them the most is to just turn your back and ignore him.

Answer 10

I would smile and respond with; yes, may I help you?
The child didn't come up with that question or the manner in which he/she asked the question,by themselves. I would hate for them to think that all adults are just alike.

Answer 11

I say hey you right back and smile and say that is not the proper way to gain my attention as I think we teach people how to treat us.