sbandliz
07-08-2006, 11:38 AM
This happened to me 2 weeks ago, but my blood still boils whenever I think about it. So I will it share with you.
I went to pick up my 4yr old son from pre-school. For safety reasons, the school has 2 gates, with approx. 1sqm space in between (note the size). With stroller and my 18month old toddler, I went through the first gate. I slowed at the 2nd gate, as it was held open by another mum and her 2 boys.
Since the first gate + stroller & my toddler + me has taken up most of the 1sqm space - I thought I will move through and be out of the way (otherwise they will have to squeeze past me). As I moved forward, one of her boy tried to squeeze past us. The result - the front wheel of my stroller brushed against his feet. I immediately stopped and said sorry. The little boy wasn't hurt in any way and didn't make a fuss at all.
Do you think that would be the end of it? As it is a true accident, no one was hurt, and I have apologized because I am an adult and the other person is a 4yr old boy.
NO!! His mum started yelling, "In Australia, it is manners to let the person who opens the gate to past through first ....!" (note that I am of Asian descend) She continues for a couple of minutes calling me rude and ill-mannered ... etc.
I was speechless :headdesk:
I was a wreck and in tears most of that afternoon. The next day, I had a chat with my son's teacher about this. Unfortunately I didn't know the other mum's name so the teacher couldn't do much about it.
In hindsight, I wish I had the quick thinking to say this to her:
"I thought in Australia, obnoxious people had the chance to educate themselves out of being bigots - but I guess I was wrong." :devil:
Can you think of better retorts that is also suitable for my 4yr old son's ears?
I went to pick up my 4yr old son from pre-school. For safety reasons, the school has 2 gates, with approx. 1sqm space in between (note the size). With stroller and my 18month old toddler, I went through the first gate. I slowed at the 2nd gate, as it was held open by another mum and her 2 boys.
Since the first gate + stroller & my toddler + me has taken up most of the 1sqm space - I thought I will move through and be out of the way (otherwise they will have to squeeze past me). As I moved forward, one of her boy tried to squeeze past us. The result - the front wheel of my stroller brushed against his feet. I immediately stopped and said sorry. The little boy wasn't hurt in any way and didn't make a fuss at all.
Do you think that would be the end of it? As it is a true accident, no one was hurt, and I have apologized because I am an adult and the other person is a 4yr old boy.
NO!! His mum started yelling, "In Australia, it is manners to let the person who opens the gate to past through first ....!" (note that I am of Asian descend) She continues for a couple of minutes calling me rude and ill-mannered ... etc.
I was speechless :headdesk:
I was a wreck and in tears most of that afternoon. The next day, I had a chat with my son's teacher about this. Unfortunately I didn't know the other mum's name so the teacher couldn't do much about it.
In hindsight, I wish I had the quick thinking to say this to her:
"I thought in Australia, obnoxious people had the chance to educate themselves out of being bigots - but I guess I was wrong." :devil:
Can you think of better retorts that is also suitable for my 4yr old son's ears?