(no subject)

[filigreed]

Social acceptability on a scale of 1-10 for calling a small child an asshole.

Didn't do it. Would've had to yell. Just checking for future encounters.

Comments

[merlinpletcher]

If they deserve it? 10.

[filigreed]

Fair.

Addendum: Asshole on a scale of 1-10. Small child staring blankly from across the street while brandishing a lighter. Pretty sure he didn't have eyelids. Pretty sure he's set at least one structure on fire.

[merlinpletcher]

[...] Solid 8. 9 if he was flicking the flame on and off.

[filigreed]

Nine then. Will definitely be calling him an asshole next time we meet.

Also pretty sure his mother's well aware that he's growing up to be an arsonist.

[merlinpletcher]

Sounds fair to me.

Was his mom there?

[filigreed]

Took her a bit, but yeah.

Very pretty. Super pissed.

[merlinpletcher]

That's something, I guess.

[filigreed]

Decent parenting, questionable child.

[merlinpletcher]

Maybe the dad's a pushover. Or a creepy arsonist.

[filigreed]

Arson and not needing to blink run in the family.

[necrodanseuse]

Oh darling, ten, every time. How on earth are they supposed to learn what assholes they are, otherwise?

[filigreed]

So we bill it as a learning experience?

[necrodanseuse]

And actually bill it if you get a chance, it’s a valuable service

[filigreed]

Anything longer than ten minutes and it counts as babysitting.

[necrodanseuse]

Or with all this education, a preschool.

[wildchild]

I am all about this being used as a teaching moment. Gotta teach the tots to behave.

[necrodanseuse]

If not us, then who? Clearly the adults are failing.

[wildchild]

Hella failing. I got pushed out of a tree for being a smart aleck once and it clearly did not teach me a lesson, but that's just because I have a strong sense of self. It was worth a try, though.

[freyanorris]

If they're a small child then 1??

[filigreed]

What if it's borderline affectionate?

[freyanorris]

1. Do you KNOW the child?
2. I still feel like your word choice is questionable.

[filigreed]

1. Not yet.
2. He wasn't a toddler or anything. Toddler with a lighter is a bad look.

[freyanorris]

1. Probably best to avoid calling them an asshole then, even if 2. they're old enough to be playing with fire.

[merlinpletcher]

You think?

[freyanorris]

Yes?

[merlinpletcher]

But what if they're being an asshole?

[freyanorris]

If someone called YOU an asshole would it make you want to be more or less of a jerk?

[merlinpletcher]

Depends. And, anyway, fixing this kid's behavior isn't on us. Sometimes you just need to call things like they are, right?

[freyanorris]

Well, SOMETIMES, but not if it's not helpful?? Fixing the kid's behavior is on the parent so... call them out?

[crowhop]

If the child still has that little kid lisp and seems like the type to repeat what you say, then it goes right past acceptable to adorable.

[quodpotted]

true, teach em some fun phrases

[filigreed]

Couldn't judge from that distance. Will have to get closer next time.

[quodpotted]

I say whoop some ass

[filigreed]

Not going to kick the kid's ass.

Yet.

[quodpotted]

yet is the key word there

[filigreed]

Need to be better acquainted before I fight a child.

[quodpotted]

since when do you have to be acquainted to fight somebody?

[filigreed]

When they're under the age of ten, probably.

[quodpotted]

making their acquaintance first seems worse to me