McDonald’s Playground Conversations
I am a people watcher by nature and I’m pretty sure I learned it from my dad. He and I used to sit on the benches at the mall and watch people while my mom and sister would shop. It’s an interesting hobby. I also tend to listen to people talk because I’m secretly nosy and a sociable person. This is probably why I love social media so much. In any case, it’s just no wonder that I would find myself writing a post about McDonald’s Playground Conversations on my blog, but here goes.
I listen to a lot of conversations throughout my day, either in the office or when we’re out in public. I guess I’m super nosy or just observant. But, it always shocks me when someone actually starts talking TO me, especially when I don’t know them or haven’t expressed any interest in talking to them. This happened to me one day while Benjamin and I were enjoying our lunch before he went to play on the playground.
You see, the toy of the week in his Happy Meal was from SpongeBob SquarePants and you all know how much we love SpongeBob. We were talking about his excitement to have received a Squidward toy when a girl (older than B) came up to us and started to reach into Benjamin’s Happy Meal box. She was asking him what toy he got, said something about a “squid”, and came very close to touching his food when I asked her not to reach into his box. Her mom turned slightly and told her to leave us alone. Benjamin asked me (innocently) why the girl did not know that his name was Squidward and I replied that I didn’t know. The mom just about fell off her bench turning around to us and stated that she does NOT let her kids watch SpongeBob because that show is RUDE and she doesn’t want her children to act like them.
Uhhhh…your child just reached into my child’s lunch and almost touched his food!
I just smiled and told Benjamin that some kids don’t watch SpongeBob and to just finish his lunch and he could go play. He didn’t think anything of it and went about his business.
How odd!
Now, this past weekend, Benjamin and I were back at the McDonald’s Playground and he was the only child out there. Sometimes he really loves that, but sometimes he wants friends to be there with him. On this day he was okay with it because we had plans to also go to the park after and he was quite excited about it.
After we were there for a few minutes, a mom and her two daughters showed up to eat and play as well. The girls looked to be about 8 and 10. As a side note, we saw them at the park later as well and I heard the mom say “she’s 9” so there you go. Anyway, the girls were eating their lunch and I guess one of them was eating fairly quickly because I overheard the mom say,
“You need to learn to eat slower because boys will not want to take you on a date if you eat like that”
Uhhhh…your child is a little young to be worrying about dates, don’t you think?!
Of course, I would never say anything and it was all I could do not to look up and see if the girl was eating crazy or how the mom was eating or just being nosy in general. I just kept my eyes on my own lunch and Benjamin and minded my own business.
Finally, this one is a cute one. (and I promise we don’t go to McDonald’s a TON, but everytime we do, there is another fun conversation) Benjamin was playing on the playground with another little girl and he kept saying “girl, come here” so I told him to learn her name. He did and then started talking to her. They had climbed into the first level of the playground and just sat down. Benjamin had a new pair of shoes that he was telling her about and he was very excited. He loved that he now wears a size 12 so he had to tell her that as well. I don’t remember all that they talked about, but they were sitting there for a good five minutes just chatting away and then they got up to go play some more.
My little charmer!
I just love overhearing funny conversations.
People are so weird sometimes!
I’m linking up to Pour Your Heart Out on Things I Can’t Say.
I love to listen to others’ conversations, too. Sometimes I’m a bit shocked by how much people will say when they are in a public place where anyone could hear!
Shell recently posted..Lighting a Candle in Remembrance
I like people watching. Sometimes people talk about juicy things. We love going to the McDonalds playground too. Sometimes you do encounter rude parents and children. One kid pushes my daughter down once and the parent said nothing. I was like ?
Amber recently posted..Hey, It’s Okay Tuesday!
I love people watching! I used to live in Vegas and my husband and I loved to go to tourist spot to people watch.
Allison B recently posted..On the Importance of Hurrying
I just love the things kids say. They can be brutally honest and often so funny! Then again, if it’s not at the right moment, embarrasing!
I’m always amazed at the conversations I hear while out and about. People really are clueless about a lot of things and some have no manners, it’s crazy! Good job on not going off on spongebob mom!
Jordyn @ Almost Supermom recently posted..Colorful Rice Krispy Easter Eggs
That mother telling her daughter to eat slower is only going to give her kid a complex and major body issues when she gets older. How about “eat slower so you don’t choke”? Oy. I am constantly overhearing parts of conversations from other people (hey, its their own fault when they talk so loud in public, right??) and they never cease to amaze me. And now I want McDonald’s
Rose recently posted..Key Lime Cheesecake with Fruity Pebbles Recipe
I would definitely have said something, in both of those negative scenarios. 1. “Um, yeah your daughter just invaded our space and touched my child’s food… You’re doing a great job on those manners…” And 2. “Excuse me, I don’t mean to make assumptions but I don’t think teaching your young girls to have a negative body image is the right thing to do here.” Of course don’t call the mother out in front of her children, but maybe make a side note while the children are playing.
Shary recently posted..Honor the Earth {Giveaway Hop}
“checking-to-make-sure-you’re-not-a-thief-guy” – WINNING.
Much to Alan’s dismay I am a people watcher/engager but normally when it’s just the kids.
I can’t believe that woman thought it was okay for her kid to put his germy hands in the happy meal box!
Kerri (TheMaven) recently posted..Paleo Egg Custard
LOL…. people never cease to amaze me!! I love to people watch/listen- it’s crazy some of the things you can see and hear just by watching.
Jenn W recently posted..Try It Tuesday- Summer Fun!!
SpongeBob is rude but letting your kid talk touch strangers’ food is not? Sure, McDonald’s lady, tell yourself that. You get some strange overhead info from that McDonalds! LOL
I like to eavesdrop and people watch too. Actually, when we are Disney World, I enjoy sitting on a bench and just absorbing the sights, scents and smells.
Maggie C recently posted..Zoobean: Delivering hand-picked book selections to children
Honestly, I’m that person trying to talk to you. LOL. Okay, not all the time, but I often talk to people who aren’t talking to me. Sometimes people are receptive and sometimes they aren’t. It’s okay, I don’t take it personally, but I’ve met some really great people by starting conversations like that and it makes the time go by quicker (unless they are lecturing me about something, in which case, I’ll just leave). Of course, there are times when I just sit back and listen. You overhear the funniest things. And while I know there is a whole anti-Sponge Bob wing out there, I just don’t get it. Come on people! It’s a kids show!
Jennifer recently posted..Win a 4moms Baby Bath Set in the Showered with Love Giveaway Hop!
Lately I have been wondering when it was okay to stay everything we are thinking, all of the time. The things that people say amaze and scare me when they really should just say nothing. lol
MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) recently posted..When is Grandma Coming Back?
Oh. My. Gosh. I absolutely would NOT have just sat there while the woman yelled about the rudeness of Sponge Bob. I’m not saying I disagree with her (although, I’m not saying I do agree, either. I have no opinion.), but take the plank out of your own eye, Lady.
I am SUPER nosy, but I am absolutely NOT a people watcher. I get annoyed by most things people do. So, I’m such a joy to have around. My brother in law is here visiting from Washington. He asked today if most of our days are sunny. I said, “Yes. That’s why we’re so happy.”
About an hour and a half later, we were visiting Costco. I got super annoyed at the checkout because I asked if they take checks. The lady said they do. So, when I went to pay, the cashier wouldn’t let me write a check because I wasn’t the member (it’s my brother in law’s membership). So, I pulled out my debit card. I couldn’t pay at all since I wasn’t a member. So, I was annoyed and said, “I guess I don’t want a Costco membership.” I didn’t want to borrow the money from my visitor. When we were walking out, I heard the checking-to-make-sure-you’re-not-a-thief-guy ask the person in front of us if their check out was easy. I said, “I hope he doesn’t ask me that.” My brother in law said, “Please just lie if he does.”
I said, “I absolutely will not lie. If he doesn’t want my honest answer, he shouldn’t ask the question!”
He was SUPER relieved that the guy didn’t ask