Was I wrong to offer to pay for children’s ice creams?

[beaubeau11]

I was at the park with my 3 dc today, we where stood in a que in the little cafe buying ice cream etc. There was a woman behind me with 2 ds’s with ice creams in there hands waiting to pay! The woman said to her two little boys ah no Iv left my purse and went to leave the long que, I said excuse me would you like me to pay for those ice creams for the boys ? I really don’t mind.? She was sharp with me and replied no thankyou!!!! I found this odd didn’t she appreciate my kindness?

Some people would be grateful, some wouldn’t.

It was a kind gesture, don’t worry about it.

She was probably embarrassed, it was kind of you though. Sorry but queue, not que.

She was probably embarrassed.

Very kind of you. She was odd.

Perhaps she was embarrassed. Not everyone likes to receive what they may perceive as charity.

Intention is everything, your intention was to help, yanbu. That was very kind.

She was offended because she thought you were being patronizing or that you were acting out of pity

You offered she said no thank you.

Nothing wrong with what either of you did.

There could have been a million reasons she declined, possibly embarrassment, possibly she remembered she had to be somewhere, maybe she didn't realise the time and it was close to a mealtime.

It was kind if you to offer but she may not have perceived what you did as a kindness, it could have made things harder for her.

Maybe she hadn't left her purse anywhere but remembered she couldn't afford ice cream, it was a kind gesture. Don't worry about it

Something similar happened to me a few years ago and someone offered to buy my DD's ice cream as I didn't have enough cash - I was grateful and accepted.

She may have been trying to get out of paying...

Agree probably embarrassed and unsure how to take the offer.

I'm interested to see the responses here tho' given a recent thread with OP complaining that the person in the queue behind her didn't offer to pay 35p for her tin tomatoes when she forgot her purse.

Other woman was very odd. Even if she was embarrassed, there was no need to be brusque with you.

Maybe she didn't want her kids to have ice cream?

Neither of you were being unreasonable.

Lovely offer, she chose not to take you up on it.

No issue

I think she didn’t want them to have ice cream and the money was just an excuse so they didn’t tantrum

Some people just don't like charity.
I gave away a box of ice lollies to some grandparents and grandkids after buying a box of 6 even though I only wanted one. They were appreciative and it felt good to be nice.

Maybe she didn't want her kids to have ice cream?

Why would someone bring their kids in and let them pick ice creams only to not let them have them though, that's just cruel. If she couldn't afford them fair enough but don't lie and let them pick them out first.

"Intention is everything"

Nah! Phrasing is everything!

"I said excuse me would you like me to pay for those ice creams for the boys ? I really don’t mind.?"

I think you should have said "Excuse me, may I pay for those ice creams for the boys ? I would love to treat them."

you did noting wrong. Pity she had to be rude though.

I'm interested to see the responses here tho' given a recent thread with OP complaining that the person in the queue behind her didn't offer to pay 35p for her tin tomatoes when she forgot her purse

I'm the chopped tomato poster

Op..it was kind of you to offer. Fine for her to decline but she should have been more gracious in doing so.

Why would you love to treat two boys you've never seen before? I think the OP was fine the way she phrased it.

Was she rude though she said no thank you. rude would have been to say bugger off I'm not a charity case.

Why would you love to treat two boys you've never seen before?

because its kind and a nice thing to do. random act of kindness.

She was rude I would have been really grateful and re paid the favour to someone else in the future.