Why do people "play" with children by pretending to take their things?

[Wapawapa]

I have a 3 yo
I've noticed that many many people interact with her by pretending to take and keep her belongings.
"This teddy? It's my teddy! I'm going to put it i my bag! I'm taking it as I leave"
Distant family members, our cleaner etc.

Also another way to "engage" with the child is to call something the wrong colour.
"I like your red t-shirt". (Tshirt is Yellow).

Why is this? What's the thinking behind it?

I should add I immediately say to my child "X is only joking, they're not going to take your Teddy". The colour thing I ignore as my child know her colours and just thinks the adults don't know theirs.

Any psychological insight?

Anycrispsleft, I'm sorry you have this outlook, it must be very tough

No, my life is lovely, even more so now that I don't extend my hospitality to twats

Taking a child's toy and saying "it's mine"= bellend. Last time I witnessed this, the child chased after the person and was clearly worried.

Getting things wrong to provoke a "no, silly!! It's X" reaction is just being playful, within reason.

If you take a teddy from a child and say it’s yours you can only expect an upset reaction, therefore you are a twat. Possibly a bully. Definitely poor at interacting with children.

Deliberately getting silly things wrong like saying “put your gloves on your feet” - most 3 year olds would find it funny therefore you are good at interacting with children and not a twat.

Lighten up OP. Must be great fun at your house

@BananaMilkshakeWithCream
I've only posted twice on this thread and I don't think I've said anything that suggests I'm taking this very seriously.
Except my DM making the same joke every time for 3 years. That's painful.

I was interested in the thought process behind this way of interacting, that's all

@ItWorriesMeThisKindofThing I think you have summed it up . Thank you (as have others!)

@Albgo

People saying they think this is funny and kids like it? Wtf. It's horrible - a form of bullying. I hate this sort of behaviour.

Is it bollocks. If the child is laughing, how is it bullying? If the child is getting annoyed or upset obviously give it back and don't do it again - as it's clear that child doesn't appreciate it.

Same as tickling. Some kids love it, others hate it.

But to say it's bullying is on the whole absolute over sensitive bollocks.

Because it's the quickest and easiest way to interact with a very small child. There is some massive overthinking on this thread.

I must admit, I've never liked teasing play with children, I think it's mean. It didn't happen in our family. My DH's family is different though, and I've noticed DH does it sometimes with small children. We had my DSIS's family round for Sunday lunch one time, and as he was dishing up the roast DH said to my five year old nephew, 'Oh, someone told me you don't like Yorkshire puddings, I won't give you any!' (they were his favourite), and carried on serving everyone else - the poor thing got quite distressed! I had to say that DH was only teasing (and had words with him after!). I just really don't see why it's funny at all making a kid upset... as PPs have said, there's plenty of other ways to have fun with them.