Flicking an unknown child for throwing rocks at terrapins

[Rafterplease]

I'm sitting in a pub and we are discussing an AIBU of one of the group.

Here's the scenario:

L is in Greece. There's a park with a pool and terrapins in it. A kid - roughly seven - is throwing rocks at the terrapins. The kid is blond but probably Greek. L is standing next to the kid and, fairly gently, instinctively flicks the kid with the back of her hand and says (in English) 'don't do that'. There was no parent in sight. The kid ran away.

L just didnt think, acted totally on instinct. She feels very guilty about doing this. Should she be beating herself up over it?

[MissBeehiving]

out of control friend - so funny!

[Thenapoleonofcrime]

It's happened now, no point going on about it, of course it is better not to 'flick' other people's children as even a small brush of the hand to move a child's hand away from something can be done harder than you intended. Fine to say 'don't do that.

[BOFster]

"....one woman's, 'flick' is another woman's beating."

Who's the other woman- Mrs Godzilla?

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Are you being funny chop?

[Ericaequites]

It's wrong to physically discipline a child not your own own, but not wrong to scold a child. Throwing rocks is dangerous and cruel to any. Living thing in the way.

[Bettercallsaul1]

I don't think so, Alis, but Misbeehiving and BOFster are certainly adding to the entertainment on this thread!

[chopinbabe]

No, the other woman could just be a normal mum who doesn't like to see a stranger 'flick' her child (whatever form that 'flick' could take...a fluffy term doesn't mean that the action it is referring to is acceptable.)

There were lots of choices this bullying friend could have taken- a gentle verbal remonstrance for one, before she decided to, 'flick.'

I use 'bullying' to describe friend as it occurs to me that she may not have been so flick happy, if the 'offender' had been a grown adult.

[Bettercallsaul1]

You should have been bold too,Bofster!

[chopinbabe]

On re-reading, I see the child didn't defend himself or even try to say anything but just 'ran away.'

Do those posters who agree with a child being physically chastised by a stranger feel uneasy at this child's response? He could have any one of a plethora of additional needs or, more probable, he was frightened by what must have seemed, to him at least, an out of control and possibly drunk adult.

It doesn't make me laugh at all and I do hope that the friend is spoken to either by the child's relatives or by the police.

The irony of using violence to stop violence seems to be overlooked by all those who put a terrapin's fear above that of a child's. Of course, he should have been reprimanded but gently and with an affectionate tone of voice.

However, as I seem to be in the minority in my view of finding physical violence towards a child, there is little for me to add.

[MissBeehiving]

Of course, "The Flick" could have been a tap on the arm intended to gain the attention of a child otherwise engaged in beating the shit out of another sentient creature if you are unfamiliar with their name and unsure of whether they would understand what you were saying to them.

I would have had no hesitation in holding the child's arm if he had been mid throw had I been quick enough.

I'm not sure a "gentle verbal remonstrance" would have been appropriate or effective.

[MissBeehiving]

How did you extrapolate that "L" is pissed?

[BolshierAyraStark]

Am missing the bit that says L was pissed...

[SixImpossible]

No, Chopin, I don't feel "uneasy" at the child's response. You are reading massively into it. Nothing in the OP suggests any SN or fear, anymore than it suggests NT or over-confidence. Neither is there any suggestion of drinkeness.

If I'm not mistaken, Greeks are very free both with physical affection and physical punishment. The boy, if Greek, probably understood exactly what was happening to him and why, and probably also knew that he was getting away lightly - therefore scarpered PDQ.

[raffle]

Ah we'll, if she was drunk that throws a different light on it. I never flick people when I see them abusing terrapins if I'm drunk. Never.

[gamerchick]

should have been reprimanded but gently and with an affectionate tone of voice I rarely copy and paste a quote but that had me snorting.

Seeing a kid abusing an animal is only worthy of chivying is it? no wonder kids are out of control on the streets. If you see a load stamping on one for eg would you be gentle and affectionate then?

Christ on a bike!

[Bettercallsaul1]

I take the "flick" to mean a light (but feelable) touch on the child's hand to cause the child to remove the hand as a reflex. The OP's friend "flicked" the hand that was assaulting the terrapins -a gesture obviously designed to halt what he was doing. If she had "flicked" the child on another part of his body - the face, shoulder or arm - the gesture could have been seen as punitive, and not preventative, and would be a different matter. I see the friend's action as entirely defensible and part of the "it takes s village" philosophy.

[Bettercallsaul1]

It takes a* village.

[YouSayWhaaat]

Some of you guys do make me chuckle.

There are some fucking nutcases on these forums.

Keeps me coming back though!

Haha

[YouSayWhaaat]

P.s. I would have thrown the child to the Terrapins and then they could have sorted it out between themselves.

[FrontForward]

Lol only on MN can we go from that post to 'a drunk woman violently assaulted a child'

[MissBeehiving]

I think that we can safely assume that the terrapins were roaring drunk with previous a history of violent conduct.

[YouTheCat]

Some posters are on a different fucking planet.

[OneStepCloser]

thats all I have to say about some of the replies on this thread, but am chuckilng at BOFs Mrs Godzilla, that tickled me.

[Topaz25]

A flick is not a beating and certainly not as dangerous as throwing rocks.

[kali110]

Nope yanbu at all.
Wouldn't get a gentle reprimand in an affectionate tone from me either!
I would put the defenceless animal being abused over the child's fear!
No wonder some kids treat animals like crap.