Grocery shopping is a chore, but, as a writer, I love it! If you keep your eyes and ears open, it’s a great place to find a new “character” and glean all kinds of wisdom.
I posted this encounter to my Facebook a couple of winters ago and thought I’d share it here today. Everyone who knows me, knows how much I despise bullying behavior of any kind, and it’s been on my mind a lot lately, so I thought I’d share this hilarious tidbit with you. Personally, I think the mother involved handled the situation like a pro.
I was in the baking aisle of my local grocery store the other day when I noticed a mother with her teen daughter and preteen son in tow.
The mother and daughter were discussing the fact someone was cyber-bullying the teenager on social media.
“I’m sorry, honey,” the mother said. “That girl is a cowardly, hateful, mean child. It is best to ignore her. If she doesn’t get a reaction from you, it won’t be fun for her anymore. Don’t you worry, karma will eventually catch up with all the mean girls of the world.”
The daughter shrugged her shoulders and sighed. “I guess.”
“Screw that!” said the son. “I say we hunt her down, kill her and eat her!
“That does it!” exclaimed the mom, giving the boy a shut-up-we-are-in-public look. “I don’t care what your father says, you are not watching THE WALKING DEAD anymore!”
At this point, I’m bent over pulling some flour from the bottom shelf, chuckling as silently as I could, but the mother heard me anyway.
“I’m so sorry,” she said. “He’s a good kid. I promise you he’s not the next Jeffery Dahmer.”
“Please, don’t apologize,” I said, still giggling.
“But it’s wrong on so many levels. So much for my dream of raising pacifists. I blame his father … and television,” she said, continuing down the aisle.
“But Mom,” called the boy from behind her. “It would stop bullies once and for all. Besides, I bet mean people taste delicious.”
“Okay, I’m pulling your teeth as soon as we get home,” said the mother in a calm tone.
I laughed so hard, it was difficult to stay on my feet. To this day I can’t help but wonder if mean people really do taste delicious. Kids say the darndest things. Gotta love em!
That’s an awesome story, I cracked up laughing!
Quite the “feed” in the food store, eh? At least it gets you something to chew over. Through the years I have learned quite a lot re: people and attitudes in the super markets.