All these years I’ve smiled or said hello to a small child who’s made eye contact - I had no idea I was lucky not be reported as a perv of some sort.
What a sad world we live in that people are afraid to allow their children to make normal social responses. Sadly we do have to teach our children not to ‘speak to strangers’ but that has to be done with an eye on being careful to not risk the child becoming afraid of any social interaction even when with their parent.
Oh dear, I’m getting a bit worried about the number of times I’ve given a little wave to a toddler in a pushchair when we pass on the promenade. I’ve not so far come up against a negative reaction. Always positive, a smile from parents, sometimes they’ll encourage the child to wave back. Probably helps that I’m female, and elderly. Maybe I should carry my (now expired) CRB check to demonstrate that I have been judged safe in the past to interact with children and vulnerable adults. What a state of affairs.
I smile at children of all ages who are behaving well. I scowl at those who are not.
I was brought up not to speak to strangers and especially not go anywhere with one but I was also not allowed to be rude either. I suspect that woman @Lyn encountered had just had too much aggro from racists in her own life and didn't believe any white people could not be racist. Very sad for her and her children as her attitude will just make life more difficult.
Given the statistics and increasing tales of many forms of abuse I rather think that stranger-danger is far less a risk than misbehaviour and mistreatment from family, friends and coaches anyway so I shall carry on being friendly.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
So you see no difference between reacting to a kid with a smile and going up to a kid you don't know and talking to them?
I certainly wouldn't touch a child without parental consent but have often spoken to them, often when stuck in a queue. The child has something in their hand, generally a toy or food, and holds it up towards you. My response is normally along the lines of 'What have you go there?' and take things on from that point. The parent will normally have heard and then looked to see what is going on.
I did have a situation years ago where I had to act. I was stood outside a shop in town waiting for my wife when a little voice said "Have you seen my Mummy?" It was a little girl aged no more than 3 who said she chouldn't find her Mummy. Crowded streets so the presumably frantic mother wouldn't be able see her either. I looked round for a police officer - never there when you need one - when, fortunately, my wife reappeared. I then picked the girl up so she could see over people and be seen. A few minutes later she said she could see her brother. He was about 8 and came running across. I asked where their Mum was and he said "She's probably in one of the shops. I'm looking after her". Mum would clearly have been oblivious to what happened. The boy was so relaxed about the whole thing it was clearly normal to him.
There’s a good side to everything then, I hope when she’s had access to all the info, medical/scientific papers she will share her findings with us all.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
There’s a good side to everything then, I hope when she’s had access to all the info, medical/scientific papers she will share her findings with us all.
Having access is one thing … understanding them will be something else entirely 🤯😵💫😷
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
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This whole thing makes me despair.
I was brought up not to speak to strangers and especially not go anywhere with one but I was also not allowed to be rude either. I suspect that woman @Lyn encountered had just had too much aggro from racists in her own life and didn't believe any white people could not be racist. Very sad for her and her children as her attitude will just make life more difficult.
Given the statistics and increasing tales of many forms of abuse I rather think that stranger-danger is far less a risk than misbehaviour and mistreatment from family, friends and coaches anyway so I shall carry on being friendly.
https://uk.yahoo.com/news/nicki-minaj-called-covid-nonsense-061105412.html
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.