4Real Forums: An Interesting Encounter

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login

Tea and Conversation
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation

Topic: An Interesting Encounter

Author

Message

<< Prev Topic | Next Topic >>

JennGM
Forum Moderator

Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702

Posted: July 13 2010 at 9:16am \| IP Logged

Over the weekend we traveled and did a bit of antique shopping and bargain hunting while visiting.

On our way home we stopped in an antique store. One booth was filled with lots of old children's books. Most I'd call twaddle, but there were a few treasures. I found one I really wanted but couldn't find the price. The spine was all damaged, but the cover and pages in great condition.

It was A Farm Story by Elsa Ruth Nast, illustrated by Masha.

I love Masha's illustrations. You might recognize her work by the Neumann Press reprint A Child’s Book of Christmas Carols.

I was pushing my younger son in the stroller, and went up to ask if there was a price. The woman found it ($3.00) which was acceptable to me. She looked over the book and I could see she thought it was nice. Then she looked down at my son, and asked if it was for him. I said yes.

"Well, there is a booth back there with lots of children's books."

I answered I know, but I wanted this one because I like the illustrator. End of conversation.

But I think she was thinking I was just going to hand it to him to entertain (and she was thinking inevitable destruction) and wanted to "Save" the book.

I was a little miffed, but I didn't say anything further.

__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to

& ds1

'03 & ds2

'07
Family in Feast and Feria

CatholicMommy
Forum All-Star

Joined: Feb 07 2007
Location: Indiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1254

Posted: July 13 2010 at 11:49am \| IP Logged

Well, that's why so many "children's book" ARE twaddle - because the adults won't care so much when the children destroy them!

I get something similar to this routinely - that I'm not giving my son the "Barney" books in the doctor's office, but instead hand him a beautifully illustrated and hardcover "older" child picture book (I'm thinking of an incident when he was 1). While the other children were rough with the other books, tossing them on the floor and turning them into forts on the tables, my son was quietly and gently turning the pages, touching the pictures with gentleness and care and was just overall peaceful and respectful.

The other moms were flabbergasted when I handed him such a beautiful book - but that was nothing to their reaction to my son actually enjoying the book!

__________________
Garden of Francis
HS Elementary Montessori Training
Montessori Nuggets

Betsy
Forum All-Star

Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962

Posted: July 13 2010 at 12:49pm \| IP Logged

I get treated this way in most stores when I walk in with my boys (I have many). People seem very prejudice agains boys and all of their bad stereotypes. I could go on and on with examples of clerks being very rude and assuming after only walking in the front door. I couldn't imagine what they would do if anything did happen (not that I wouldn't be on top of that)!

In one instance, I had a owner nearly come unglued in her yarn store when my boys went to look at her drop spindles. She almost jumped over the counter to get in front of them when my oldest went to touch one. Mind you, both my boys have used drop spindles and are proficient knitters!!! It was very irritating, to say the least.

I do try to give them the benifit of the doubt, because I am SURE that have had some insident that justifies their feelings/behavior. It's just sad that kids, espically boys, are GUILTY until proven innocent. Because of this I do feel very limited to which stores I can shop at with all my kids so I don't set ourselves up for a bad experience. It shouldn't have to be this way, I know, but it's what works for our family.

Sorry you had to experience this....

Betsy

P.S. Jenn, I know that my response is a bit off topic, but I couldn't help but think that the clerk would have had a different reaction if you were with a little girl.

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

[Add this topic to My Favorites]

Printable version

Forum Jump

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com