overheard on 103rd

[rm]

Mom to 5-year-old:

"Xavier don't be a fucking bully! Bullies get hurt and bullies die and bullies go to jail. You aren't going to be no fucking bully. You're going to get good grades and a job!"

It's only funny if you've never visited my neighborhood.

Comments

[kiji-kat.livejournal.com]

I see enough bratty children around that when I come across one who is well-behaved, I make it a point to thank their parents for it. This happened to me once in the Rock Hall gift shop - a boy of about 10 or 11 saw my volunteer badge and thought I worked there. I'll never forget how polite he was...

"Excuse me, ma'am? Do you happen to know which rack this shirt belongs on? I was going to get it, but I decided not to and now I can't remember where it was displayed."

I said I didn't know and directed him to a sales clerk, then asked him where his parents were. He got really nervous, then led me over to his dad.

I told the man, "Sir? I just want to thank you for raising an exceptional son. He's very polite and well-spoken, and I want to let you know that you're doing a fantastic job, and that it's appreciated by the other people who work and volunteer here, not to mention society at large."

I didn't think anyone could smile as big as those two did.

[beemerbike.livejournal.com]

I love when people do this sort of thing. I grew up in one in one of those neighborhoods where everyone knew what everyone else's kids were doing--good or bad--but rarely did anyone ever make a point of letting the 'rents know jon or jane had done something nice.

[kiji-kat.livejournal.com]

Well, I think it's important, you know? Parents have a rough time of it, and kids usually behave a little different at home than they do in public. I think it's good when you can tell parents that their kids are good citizens - shows they're doing something right.