Have you ever told someone else's kids off in a shop?

Question

I was queued up in a local shop the other day. The woman who was being served (and it took forever) was letting her kids run riot - 3 of them running round and round screaming. One of them used to hit me every time he ran past. I sort of snapped and in a raised voice said 'That's enough - could you please stop running round and grabbing me as it's really annoying !' The place went silent and everyone looked at me as if I was Satan - but I'd had enough and the kids had totally ignored their mother when she asked them one time to stop. Was I totally wrong to do this?

Answer 1

You did just fine by addressing the child and using the word please. Good job. Do not worry what other people thought of you because even if you thought they were giving you bad looks, they were probably cheering inside. If I were there, I would have applauded.

Answer 2

No well done. Children need discipline.
The mother obviously had "switched off", probably because she was tired from them and was letting them get the better of her.
It is very demand having young children, they get very excitable and always on the go.
I have noticed a lot of people take their children shopping, and the kids are really quite bored. If parents could maybe organise for an adult to be at home or elsewhere with the kids, as we do, and one person does the shopping that would surely make shopping a lot less stress for mums and everyone else. Just a suggestion if thats possible.

Answer 3

I never tell off kids in a store. But when I was at my last job, sometimes people let their kids run and run round and even into the back room where they're not allowed and bad old guys worked, while they walked round shopping. So one time I told this kid "Please don't run, honey. You'll get hurt." My manager even said something. Later on, I went shopping at ha, the place I work NOW, and one of the ladies at the fitting room told me I was that mean girl who'd scared her kid.

I'd said it nicely.

So had my manager.

I think it doesn't matter how you say it, ma'am. The parents who don't do their jobs are going to be annoyed no matter what! So do as you wish from now on and know that you taught their children something. :D

Answer 4

I have not only told off kids; but their negligent parents as well.

Doesn't anyone realize that allowing children to run riot in a public place is not only annoying but dangerous?

Some might say that the only thing you did wrong was call attention to an obvious problem; and apparently no one wanted to be responsible about it.

Answer 5

NO! You were definitely right. there's no doubt hat parents can a have a hectic time with their kids, but that doesn't mean they should leave them to run around and annoy people. If they won't teach their children proper respect then when it affects you- you do it. God knows I have. I can't even count how many times I've told children off in public places, even without knowing them or their parents. I've shouted at annoying kids in restaurants, in parks, in schools, in airports (especially in airports), at church, on planes, the list goes on and on. I just can't take it. I'm not a mean person, but if I see the parents just letting their kids annoy everyone else I won't just look!

Answer 6

In one way yes in one way no, you were right to say something about it as it was driving you up the wall, but you could have said something like "If they're like this now i'd hate to see them on christmas day... ouch, that hurt" to let your feelings be known without being offensive, i mean, it must be stressful enough for a mother at this time of year without having to take three kids shopping with you. You probably made her feel a bit small after you snapped, and that's why everyone fell silent

Answer 7

I'm on your side. Telling them to stop was the best thing to do. If their parents aren't doing anything, someone has to! Kids should be taught not to run around like wild Indians, being disrepectful. Back in my day, we used to pop our children on the butt right there in the store. Todays parents just let their children run wild. Everyone was probably looking at you in awe that you had the nerve to say something. Finally someone with a backbone. Bless you!

Answer 8

No I think everybody's patience wears thin when other people are failing to keep their kids under control...I lost it last week and told a kid off-the darling little 'angel' was running around up and down aisles looking behind him instead of where he was going,inevitably he ended up running smack bang into my trolley nearly knocking me flying,he fell on the floor and gave me a right dirty look and started to complain that I should watch what I'm doing!! So I gave him a telling off!He then went off whining...grrrrr!!

Answer 9

No, in fact you did that entire crowd a service.

I would have gone further and berated that mother for letting her children run amok - and then berated the shop-man for not escorting the woman and her monstrous brats out the door.

Parents who allow their children to run amok in restaurants and businesses shouldn't be allowed to be parents.

If it takes a village to raise a child - then we, as villagers need to step up to the plate and reprimand spoiled, unruly monsters - er children.

Answer 10

not in a shop but i did in a cinema once. a child sitting behind me kept kicking the back of the seat i was in, i turned round and politely and firmly told the mother to get the child to stop or i'd complain to the manager.

Answer 11

I dont blame you for doing what you did. I probably would give the kids one of my "looks" which would stop them! Lol - Seriously though, I would probably say something to the mother. It really annoys me that people let their kids run riot in public places like this!