I'm a People Watcher

 

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 2010

I'm a People Watcher

Ok, so today I'm walking through COSTCO browsing, looking at books, checking out the latest and greatest, gettin' my strawberries, watching people try out the samples. I tend to be a people watcher, and I do it a lot. This guy had his 2 boys with him, probably ages 5 and maybe 7 (just a guess). He was looking at something on one of the end caps, and one of his boys knocked a loaf of bread off of his cart ..... wholly cow, you would have thought the boy just broke a crystal chandelier or something. The man started yelling loud at the boy, telling him he was stupid and that he needed to be taught a lesson, and then he slapped him over the head. The boy coward down as if he knew it was coming. Seriously? Was I seeing and hearing this?

I saw the entire episode play out like a LIFETIME movie. The man continued to scream at the boy and yank on his hair and arm.... you know I can't let it go...right? I walked right up to the man as calm as can be and said, "Seriously, dude, it was a loaf of bread. Do you really think he deserved all that? You better leave him alone, or I will call the cops," and I put my arm around the boy wanting to take him away. What do you think the guy said to me? 

"Mind your own business. This is MY kid, not yours." I was so upset I said, "Actually, he is not a possession, your son was sent here as a gift to you for a very short time, and you are treating him like dirt" Then something happened I was not expecting. He looked at his little boy, who had massive tears in his eyes, by the way. The dad looked at his son and said, "I am so sorry." Ok, so now I'm feeling a little weird and uncomfortable because what do I do? As awkward as ever I looked at him and said, "Ok, well then just be nice."

I walked off, and a little while later, I saw them in the store. The little boy smiled at me, then ran and hugged my legs. I smiled back, hoping he would be ok. I always have these weird things happen when I am around; I'm not sure why, maybe because I am a people watcher?