To wonder how can a grown-up be so mean to a child?

[pasturesgreen]

My friend works in a museum bookshop and last night she was recounting the following episode.

A mother and her little girl, about 6-7 yo, walked through the shop the other day at the start of their museum visit. Child's eye was caught by a novelty pen in a display window. One of those inexpensive museum trinkets, shaped like a mummy, cost less than £10. Mum said child could have the pen at the end of the visit.

My friend heard this exchange and decided she 'wasn't going to let child have the pen'...I was like WTAF?! Surely you just do your job and get on with it...Anyway, she removed the pen from the cabinet (small shop, so that was the only pen on display) and when mother and daughter came back asking for the pen, she said they had run out. So far a bit meh but plausible. Then she went on to inform the poor girl that she actually had one last one behind the counter, but she couldn't let her have it as they have to keep on of each item for sale for inventory purposes. This is not in the least true, as friend readily admitted...Child was distraught as she had been really looking forward to her treat, the mum tried to argue for a bit than gave up.

My friend readily admitted she did this for no other purpose than to 'spite the little brat', that nowadays kids have too much stuff anyway, and that they have to learn to go without etc.

AIBU to think this is just a huge load of crap and it most definitely was not her place to teach the child any lessons at all?
Friend is usually the sort that professes to adoooooore children, cooes over newborns etc., so I was left doubly gobsmacked. I'm actually wondering whether it's worth remaining friends with someone who apparently has no ethical qualms about being needlessly so horrible to a child.
I really, really hope the mum takes to social media to report the episode!

Sorry for the long ramble, this has really rubbed me up the wrong way!

Very mean. My kids and myself aren't materialistic but it's up to parents what they spend their cash on.

How does your friend know that the museum visit wasn't the one, single trip that mother could afford to take her DD on during half term? Someone who is that nasty to customers (of any age) does not deserve to be in such a job.

The bulk of your other friends seem to also have questionable morals, seeing as they found it oh so hilarious. What lovely company you keep.

If I were you I would email the shop manager with your OP, then I would drop the friend for good. If asked, I'd have no problem saying that her behaviour was cruel, vindictive and completely unnecessary and I don't want people in my life who think that kind of behaviour is acceptable.

She has serious issues sociopath

Never leave your children with her. Distance yourself casually so she doesn't notice. Don't provoke a confrontation.

I am thinking/hoping she didn't actually do it - rather just fantasised about it.

Let's hope she doesn't decide to seek workin themedical profession or as a school crossing patrol.

Wow what a nasty person.

the child must have done something to piss her off.

Seriously, pipbin ?

A small child whom she has never met before and that she didn't even talk to prior to the pen hiding? Even if she had, its not a shop assistant's job to punish a child AND her parent. Oh and bite the hand of her employer.

OP your 'friend' is a bitch, drop her.

I'd have to ask her if she realises how odd and nasty her behaviour is.

I agree with whoever said upthread, to phone the museum manager. You could say you witnessed the incident and found it a bit odd that the assistant told the very upset child thatnthere was a pen under the counter but she couldn't have it. Ask if it is company policy. (You don't have to give your name)
Hopefully the manager will question her about the incident and she won't do slowthing so cruel again.

WoW your friend is a loon obviously i just cant fathom whyshe woulddo that

This just sounds really weird. Do you think she actually did it, or it's just something she said to make people think she was clever/funny/oh so bloody hilarious?

What a horrible thing for her to do. I don't think I could stay friends with her after that.

This has actually really disgusted me and I really hope you are going to take it further and speak to her employers.

I would not want to be around someone has nasty as that and so I would reduce contact down to nil.

I had a "friend" who had a similar personality and her nastiness and negativity started to rub off on me when I saw her. I am no longer in contact with her and feel very relieved for it!

I would want to tell her employers. To act like that, and delight in it, borders on sociopathic behaviour.

She obviously hates her job heard mummy i want once to many times and has flipped

No, I may be mistaken, but I don't think she made this up. Maybe embellished a bit, but not wholly made up.

I think I'll go with what Bakeoff and others up thread suggested and try putting in a phone call to the museum manager to explain what happened and enquire about museum policy. Hopefully this will nip any further spiteful outbursts on her part in the bud.

Does her employer knows she hiding stock and refusing to sell. Surely thats her job! Very strange and not normal behaviour at all.

The whole thing is strange and nasty.

I find the detail of only having one novelty pen on sale in a museum shop perculiar.

I think this person might be making this story up under some weird misguided attempt to ingratiate herself to the op and group?

i wouldnt call OP
just ignore her, she may well be lying

Your friends behaviour is not normal its really odd

There are some people in life who should never ever have children......your friend is definitely one of them. How spiteful and mean to do that to a little girl.

You are better than her OP, dont stoop to her level.
It doesnt affect you so just chalk it up as unhinged behaviour on her part

If a trip to the museum is enough and material possessions are unnecessary why is she supporting the acquisition of material possessions by working in a museum shop at all?

What did she say when you questioned her behaviour?

I don't think it's right that you would go to her employer without actually discussing it with her first.