How would you deal with this?

[Dolly567]

I live in quite a deprived city and statistically mental health issues around here are quite high especially in the city centre l.

A few times now I have been approached by members of the public that you can clearly tell seem to be struggling and they've made inappropriate comments in front of my young children.

For example today, I was shopping with my three year old in Asda and a lady probably around 35ish with obvious m/h issues came charging up to my son and said 'what are you getting from here then? Clothes you little bugger'.

I made a little bit of a joke about it and said well he loves clothes :) but then I thought what an awful word to address a child with! I didn't react at first as our safety was at the front of my mind and I was trying to defuse the situation.
The lady was with what seemed either her parents or carers but they didn't acknowledge her behaviour or even give eye contact to us.

That's just an example but there has been many more.

Would you bring up the language they're using or just choose to ignore?

I just want to make sure I handle the correct way, I don't want to offend them as I can see they need help but I also don't think it's an excuse for them to be able to say what they want!

Thank you!

Smile politely and shield your child xx

This is part of living in a city, people are crazy

You could use the mn standard phrase ‘ did you mean to be so rude?’

But agree it’s a difficult situation. I do think you should say something though, else you are demonstrating to your children that that behaviour/language is acceptable. If they have been rude, you could say something along the lines such as that kind of language is not acceptable in front of the children.

That's a good idea thank you
Yes 100%, I don't want my children to think people can just say what they want without being pulled up on it!