*Background info* I teach elementary school during the week, and cashier at a grocery store on Saturdays. I've been with said grocery store for 5 years - since I was in high school. It's a good job, and it's good for extra money.
Today, I'm standing by my register waiting to take the next customer when I see a kid go flying by. Not on Heelies, but he's running. Fast. I tell him "woah woah woah - this isn't a playground. Walk please." It's important to note that I holler at kids 5 days a week to quit running inside. It's kind of second nature. It's also important to note that there was NO parent in sight. Duh.
So speedy comes through my line with his dad and sister. I mention to speedy that I wasn't yelling at him, I was just concerned that someone was going to get hit - as it's not safe to run in the store. He says "yes, but I play sports" - he was probably 9-ish. I told him how great that was, and explained that not everyone does. In fact, he almost knocked an elderly lady over, and I told him that he doesn't want to have responsibility for that. Essentially, explaining to him why I said something. Then, speedy walks away with his sister while dad is paying, and dad is quite irate - telling me I should say something to the parent, not the child. I explained to the father that (a), he wasn't there, and (b)I DO teach elementary school - I work with the child, and I feel it's important for the child to realize that I'm not arbitrarily hollering at him - he needs to realize that there's a reason for it. He's all like "well, I'm here now. Tell the parent - you need to trust me on this". I apologized for the confusion, but I stood by my actions. I didn't do anything wrong.
So he goes and complains to the store manager, but nothing has come of it (and I'd honestly be shocked if something DID come of it). Management trusts me to make judgment calls that way, and in this case, a customer was in danger (the elderly lady - with a cane!) and he shouldn't have been running in the store. That, and if his dad was watching him to begin with, I wouldn't HAVE to say anything to him. When he almost knocked the lady over, it took every bit of restraint I had to not make him go back and try it again - excusing himself this time.
Gah - I wish these parents knew what menaces they were creating. Nothing is ever the child's fault!
Oh, and I found out from someone who heard part of the complaint that he told the manager "look - she's a teenager, and I'm the parent...". Um, excuse me? I TOLD you I teach. I'm 22. Yes, I look young, but don't underestimate me. I hold incredibly high standards for kids' behavior, and they reach the bar. I have a college degree, and am in my career. Please, don't belittle me that way (no offense to teenagers on the boards - he meant it in a derogatory way).
*rant over*, now back to work!
Today, I'm standing by my register waiting to take the next customer when I see a kid go flying by. Not on Heelies, but he's running. Fast. I tell him "woah woah woah - this isn't a playground. Walk please." It's important to note that I holler at kids 5 days a week to quit running inside. It's kind of second nature. It's also important to note that there was NO parent in sight. Duh.
So speedy comes through my line with his dad and sister. I mention to speedy that I wasn't yelling at him, I was just concerned that someone was going to get hit - as it's not safe to run in the store. He says "yes, but I play sports" - he was probably 9-ish. I told him how great that was, and explained that not everyone does. In fact, he almost knocked an elderly lady over, and I told him that he doesn't want to have responsibility for that. Essentially, explaining to him why I said something. Then, speedy walks away with his sister while dad is paying, and dad is quite irate - telling me I should say something to the parent, not the child. I explained to the father that (a), he wasn't there, and (b)I DO teach elementary school - I work with the child, and I feel it's important for the child to realize that I'm not arbitrarily hollering at him - he needs to realize that there's a reason for it. He's all like "well, I'm here now. Tell the parent - you need to trust me on this". I apologized for the confusion, but I stood by my actions. I didn't do anything wrong.
So he goes and complains to the store manager, but nothing has come of it (and I'd honestly be shocked if something DID come of it). Management trusts me to make judgment calls that way, and in this case, a customer was in danger (the elderly lady - with a cane!) and he shouldn't have been running in the store. That, and if his dad was watching him to begin with, I wouldn't HAVE to say anything to him. When he almost knocked the lady over, it took every bit of restraint I had to not make him go back and try it again - excusing himself this time.
Gah - I wish these parents knew what menaces they were creating. Nothing is ever the child's fault!
Oh, and I found out from someone who heard part of the complaint that he told the manager "look - she's a teenager, and I'm the parent...". Um, excuse me? I TOLD you I teach. I'm 22. Yes, I look young, but don't underestimate me. I hold incredibly high standards for kids' behavior, and they reach the bar. I have a college degree, and am in my career. Please, don't belittle me that way (no offense to teenagers on the boards - he meant it in a derogatory way).
*rant over*, now back to work!
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