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!