So I'm at the local Walmart.
As if that isn't nightmarish enough, I had to pick the one day when every soccer mom, doting dad and a gahzillion kids felt the need to be there the exact same time I was.
Hmmm, I guess in Walmart standards, that's every day.
Oh well, I needed to get some supplies so I decided to trudge through the war zone. I must admit, I was pretty proud of myself. There has been more than one occasion where I've left a full grocery cart right there in Isle 4 because I just couldn't stomach the insanity that goes along with dragging 4 or sometimes 5 kids to a grocery store.
Whoo-Hooo! I made it to the checkout lane! What an accomplishment that was! "Okay, I've got this. Almost there..." I thought to myself as I'm loading the checkout counter with Quinoa, grapes, turkey, fat free milk & Special K Chocolate Delight.
I turn around to return to my cart when I felt a small nudge at about thigh height. Looking down I see a little girl had made her way to the candy shelves right next to my cart and hence my thigh. "Oh! I'm sorry! Are you all right?" I asked bending over to make sure she was in good shape.
Everything was a-okay; that was until I looked up at the now SEVERELY pissed off demon mom one cart behind mine. I'm sure I didn't hurt her, we simply bumped into each other. No, she wasn't PO'd at that. It was the fact that I spoke to and acknowledged her. Yep that lit her fuse and it was quickly heading for an explosion. Her gaze was something I can only describe as searing. The last time I was looked at in that fashion was by my ex-wife. But that's another story.
Rather than cause a scene, I merely apologized, paid for my things and exited the situation as quickly as I could.
Moral of the Story: Folks, I understand that the world is a nasty, nasty place. And I understand your need to protect your children. I applaud your efforts. But saying "excuse me" to a child in a store does not a child molester make.
There's a lot to be said about being polite. If I had not said "I'm sorry", theoretically, it could have been perceived that I was now a rude schmuck and the tot would take that as 'It's okay to plow into people without saying excuse me'. Can't win for losing. Parents, we're not all child molesters. Honestly. Some of us are actually polite. The way it should be.
It's odd being a normal guy. The rule of thumb, when in public, eyes forward and at adult height. Never, NEVER acknowledge anyone that falls below the waistline unless they are in a wheelchair or vertically challenged.. For doing so could land you in deep trouble.
It's a strange world we live in.