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Original poster

Barber Kissed My Toddler On Cheek.

79 replies

Justfeelsweird · 07/10/2024 16:57

Just taken my son ( 7 ) to get his hair cut. Also had my toddler with me (2.5)

Barber finished the cut and I was paying and he picked my toddler up and made a fuss of him and kissed him on the cheek.

I thought it was a bit odd and it's been on my mind since we got home.

What does anyone else think?

OP posts:
SerenityNowInsanityLater · 07/10/2024 17:54

How lovely! That’s my initial thought!
Relax. It’s not like you’re hanging out with the guy, seeing him every day. It was a kind gesture. I assume he’s from a demonstrative and warm culture.

Are the kids ok, breathing, and have they all got pulses? If the answer is yes, then move on.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 07/10/2024 17:55

I'd be happy that my little man brought such joy to another person! I love it when people make a fuss of toddlers, it's delightful

BoobyDazzler · 07/10/2024 17:56

Many cultures are much more tactile and free with their affection than we are in the UK, which imo is quite lovely.

I can see why you’d be taken aback but it’s really nothing you need to worry about.

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sommerjade · 07/10/2024 17:56

I think it's nice.

dontforgetme · 07/10/2024 17:58

My son's barber did this the first time we went to him, ds was around 2. He's 7 now and they have such a sweet barber/client friendship! Turkish barbers.

Balloonhearts · 07/10/2024 17:58

It's probably a cultural thing. My chiropractor kissed me the first time he met me and every time since. Babies get absolutely doted on in there. I'd not think twice about it tbh.

VWAirbag · 07/10/2024 17:58

Lovely and perfectly normal.

Westfacing · 07/10/2024 18:06

I can understand that some people wouldn't like it but I'd have no problem.

I'm sure he was genuinely just being spontaneous and affectionate, with no bad motive or feelings.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 07/10/2024 18:07

Isn't it strange to think about why we don't? Is it a safeguarding thing from recent years or was it always such?

ticklecrabs · 07/10/2024 18:30

I wouldn't like it. Children have the right not to be kissed on the face by a total stranger. Cultural issues be damned!

FortunataTagnips · 07/10/2024 18:39

Completely normal and wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.

LauderSyme · 07/10/2024 18:43

Am glad you have seen it from a different perspective and relaxed about it.

I am quite sure it was not remotely creepy just a cultural difference, as others have said. l have Greek friends and others who originate from the Middle East, and they all have a very different way of interacting with children than us Brits.

When you think about it, giving someone a haircut is also fairly intimate.

WillowTit · 07/10/2024 18:44

i think it sounds sweet and you over reacted

AllTipAndNoIceberg · 07/10/2024 18:46

I would be totally fine with this in the context you describe.

Longma · 07/10/2024 18:46

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

Gwenhwyfar · 07/10/2024 18:59

Dontlletmedownbruce · 07/10/2024 18:07

Isn't it strange to think about why we don't? Is it a safeguarding thing from recent years or was it always such?

Always or for a long time, I would think. In fact, people are much MORE demonstrative now than in previous generations of the 20th century.
The over-reaction and worry about paedophilia is a recent thing though.

Bornnotbourne · 07/10/2024 19:14

My son’s barber also kisses him, we’re Middle Eastern. They kiss both cheeks at the end of the haircut.

LoveKay · 07/10/2024 19:20

@ticklecrabs I agree with you entirely. I adopted my ds as a young child, he had attachment issues, was very shy and would have been horrified if a stranger had kissed him. I'd never have got him to go to the barbers again if this had happened to him!

AgileGreenSeal · 07/10/2024 19:21

arthar · 07/10/2024 17:41

I would be really unhappy. It might be fine in some people's cultures but my child has their own culture which should be respected.

This

Radiolala · 07/10/2024 19:26

Nameftgigb · 07/10/2024 17:02

I was trying to think of a non racist way to ask that. If it was a male barber with a female child I’d have not been too impressed tbh. I think it does make a difference that it was a little boy, the barber was just being friendly

Show quote history

In what way would it have been different if it was a little girl?

Radiolala · 07/10/2024 19:27

I wouldn't like it. Children have the right not to be kissed on the face by a total stranger. Cultural issues be damned!

I agree with this.

RedRobyn2021 · 07/10/2024 19:44

Justfeelsweird · 07/10/2024 16:57

Just taken my son ( 7 ) to get his hair cut. Also had my toddler with me (2.5)

Barber finished the cut and I was paying and he picked my toddler up and made a fuss of him and kissed him on the cheek.

I thought it was a bit odd and it's been on my mind since we got home.

What does anyone else think?

Just came to say OP you're not over reacting

This is not right and I'm disgusted at how many people think you've overreacted simply by thinking that it was odd

No it's not ok and it doesn't matter that your child is a boy. IMO you should have said something, unfortunately in our culture it's drilled into us to be good girls and accept this kind of stuff

RedRobyn2021 · 07/10/2024 19:46

Can I also add that the reported figures of sexual abuse in children are not a true reflection of how many children are abused

I'll just leave that there for all the comments saying you're over reacting

Bestfootfwd · 07/10/2024 19:48

Normal.

user2848502016 · 07/10/2024 19:51

I think you're overthinking tbh