Daily writing prompt
What would you change about modern society?
Manners have declined in recent years. I hear people blaming the invention of the smartphone. I think it is deeper than that. People have forgotten basic manners, small talk, etc. I surmise there is an increase in social anxiety that makes it difficult for some people to make basic connections. We went out for dinner the other night. Our server barely spoke to us. I looked around at every table with at least two or three people on a phone or tablet within their party.
I am willing to admit I am sometimes unwilling to engage in small talk. However, I do it. There are many lonely people in the world. Many of them are in the grocery line. It doesn't take that long to be kind.
We were sitting at our table. One child was kicking my chair. Her very large mother had bumped into me when they came in and again she got up to argue with her husband on Facetime. My husband glanced at me to see if I was going to have a reaction and take care of the situation. The elbow in my back got to me. I walked over and spoke to the hostess who thought it was funny. I asked to speak to the manager because at this point her minions were out of control. One had gotten into my purse. Our daughter told her to sit in a chair and to think about her behavior. It is dangerous for young children to get into my purse because I carry medicines in a not child-proof case. Of course that was the first thing, she found.
The manager informed that this family comes in and is a hot mess every time. They tip very well. I quipped, The family must think they are getting free child care, however, I didn't sign up for dinner theatre.
Finally, I came back to the table. The mother asked why my teenager had put her daughter in timeout. I explained that her child had gotten into my purse and was playing with my medicine bank. I gently explained, "You obviously have alot going on in your life and your child was out of control. Do you understand this could have been a lot worse. My daughter asked her to sit in a chair and think about her actions. By the way, I didn't appreciate you bumping into me twice while I was trying to enjoy my dinner. Now, sit down and control your children. Don't get up again without saying excuse me."
She glared at me. I glared back. I sat down. She muttered b****. We returned to our dinner. Another table was seated to her left. She called her husband to complain about what had happened. The new patrons were not so kind when her child poured soy sauce into her drink. Nasty words were exchanged that I won't even do the standard ****@. It was very heated and very unladylike. The eatery is packed. I doubt that anyone enjoyed their dinner.
Many people may think that my daughter was out of line for putting the child in timeout. She didn't touch her, she told her to go sit. She could have consumed my medications. She had opened the medication bank and everything was all over the floor. It was a safety risk.
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