What would you do?

[johnomar915]

Today I was at COSTCO and got stuck behind to people who were clustered around one of the sample stands.

First lady was hand feeding her three children (est. ages, 11, 10, and 9).  Second gentleman watched his two daughters strip the tray of salmon on rice crackers, three times.  I finally cleared my throat and made a shooing gesture and the

Comments

[mooselover13]

This!

[dona_violante]

I vote for the "Excuse me, please" option. That makes it clear their blocking the path - rather than stuffing their faces - that is the issue.

(Actually, I would probably huff loudly and the turn around and go the other way. Which is more passive-aggressive, and probably not as healthy.)

[dona_violante]

And any American children eating salmon on rice crackers probably *is* starving. We're having salmon for dinner tonight, and my children objected so vehemently I broke down and offered them popcorn chicken instead.

[rlg]

Either you have weird kids or I was one. I liked salmon.

[children_of_lir]

Heh.

At one of the EK's Ukie functions, couple years back, some merchant was selling "tootable" cow horns. And letting their small kid(s) run around honking on them, the morning after a well-known party event.

Those still trying to sleep got up and called BS. The response was the same as the one you got.

Sometimes "they're just children" really means "I'm too damned lazy to be a parent, please call CPS."

[dameroksanne]

I was staying in a cabin once and there was this SCREAMING toddler. I was asleep and I came up out of the bed and told the whole cabin to make it stop or I was going to scream also. They ignored me. I engaged in my own scream therapy. It got really quiet. Even the kid shut up. BTW we are not talking about a baby. We are talking about a 100 decibel, no tears, no red face, 'my parents are my bitches' operatic performance. The kind with pauses for breath and a beverage.

I then packed my gear and found a grown ups only cabin.

[mariedeblois]

You win.

[petmort]

I love you, let me divorce my husband and shack up with you, please (and it's just supposed to be a vehement agreement, not an actual proposal ;) )

[stitchwhich]

I think I'd clear my throat and say, "Excuse me" to get the kids to move, but I would also probably find a store worker and let them know that there were families using their supplies as lunch.

Then again, given that I'm a grandmotherly middle-aged woman, I would seriously consider giving the parents a good, "excuse me but that is a sample tray, not a dinner tray - your children have had their samples, please move on" lecture... but what a grandmotherly-type person can do and get away with is a far cry from what a single gentleman can do.

[metesten]

Hmm. At the local Costco, the demonstrators ask the parents if the kids can have a sample and then hand them *one*. I'm appalled from a public health standpoint if the kids are touching the samples on the tray. I would also opt for the "excuse me" option otherwise.