Overly Friendly Shopkeeper

[Coffeemum82]

Currently on holiday in Malta, single mum with 4 kids and so far everything has been amazing, flight was fab, we’ve hired a little car for scooting about the island which was a little terrifying but also great fun! But tonight we went a short walk and ventured into a minimart. The shopkeeper was all over my 3 year old, trying to hold his hand and gave him some stickers. As I was paying I noticed her looking at my wristband and she then mentioned the name of my hotel which really freaked me out. I’m super overprotective, probably verging on paranoid at the best of time but this has really put me on edge. As we were leaving I said loudly come on we will go show your stickers to daddy so they would think I wasn’t alone but I’m now walking around eyeing up everyone as if they are about to snatch him. Has anyone else had any experiences like this in Malta or elsewhere and how did you handle it? 💕

She's just trying to be friendly, either because she's a nice person or in the hope that you will come back (it seems that may have backfired). Noticing the name of your hotel signals her knowledge of the local facilities and again may have been a conversation starter.

Mediterranean cultures are usually child-friendly and not obsessed with "stranger danger", for right or wrong, so you may have one or two more such incidents on your trip. It's a foreign country, they do things differently.

When DS was under 1 year old we spent some time in a Gulf country. One day at the souk DS (white, and blond at the time) was picked out of his pram by a woman and passed around several of her friends. Chubby little cheeks may have been given a small pinch. We went "WTF?" for about 5 seconds and then realised this was all perfectly harmless.

Yes, to me this just sounds like normal Mediterranean culture where everyone loves young kids and dotes on them. It builds their self esteem.
They find us far too cold and bizarrely strict!

And often we get asked which hotel we’re staying at , I think it’s just to make conversation ..?

Is he blond? DD2 had properly blond hair as a small child and many times on holiday got special treats, hair stroked, cheeks pinched - lots of attention but always positive. It could be shockingly unexpected though, it’s reasonable to feel uncomfortable. I hope the rest of your holiday is more relaxing (or as relaxing as 4 kids can be 😂)

It's normal Mediterranean behaviour. Please don't project these weird paranoid behaviours onto your child

The shopkeeper might’ve just been being friendly, but you were smart to say something like “let’s show daddy” and stay alert. It’s okay to feel a bit on edge after something like that. Just keep doing what you’re doing—stay aware, trust your gut, and don’t let it ruin the rest of your holiday. You're doing a great job!

So, you're in Malta with 4 children, on your own, and hired a car? OP, that is epically, brave!
I think you responded to that situation sensibly. It's probably culturally driven, her effusiveness, or, as a PP has said, hoping you'd come back, nothing more.
I think you should be enormously proud of yourself, focus on you and your family's enjoyment and think nothing more of it.
You were being appropriately alert, but don't let it stop your enjoyment and pride in such an accomplishment.
Full Marks to you, I say.

That’s the most paranoid thread I have read for a long time!

They love kids in Europe. Waiters take them off to choose an ice cream, everyone rubs their faces it’s fine

Sounds normal for Malta - the Maltese love children. What did the kids think when you said 'come on we will go show your stickers to daddy' 😁

Mum loves to tell the story of us holidaying in the Mediterranean when I was a baby (and bright blond) and the chef was brought out to see me and I ended up being picked up an given a tour of the kitchen by him and his wife (who worked front of house) to meet everyone. It’s the way it is in that neck of the woods.

I mean, they literally invented Maltesers so they can’t be bad people.

We had similar in Turkey in a bus. A lady sat next to DD stroking her hair and chatting to her. It’s a shame we’ve become so terrified of interacting.

👌🏼

feelingbleh my friend uses “ why” instead of “while” or “ whilst” - she’s originally from Stoke on Trent so I wondered if perhaps you were from that area & it’s a Midlands thing?

It’s normal for the Med. they love kids. Chill.

Took DC with my northern celt colouring (strawberry blond, blue eyes, pale skin) to Italy, Greece and ME as a young kid. He had so many cuddles and free ice creams, he bloody loved it and never wanted to come home.

I remember one time in ME as we were going up an escalator, him holding the handrail, a lady in full burka reached over from the “going down” side just to touch his hair, that made me jump but then I realised she was smiling and saying how beautiful he was.

Don’t be paranoid. Enjoy your holiday.

Thank you so much guys these really helped, like lots and yeah he is blond. And yes I am totally aware this is probably up there with the most paranoid thing but be gentle, it’s scary travelling alone with kids it’s only my second time doing it and last time was a relatives apartment so was more like home away from home. I do my best not to let on to the kids when I’m worried and only the 3 year old was still in the shop when I mentioned showing them to daddy, when we got out front I told him he could FaceTime him to show him. I really appreciate everyone who took the time to reply, really has made me feel so much better, off exploring again today, hope you all have a great weekend 🩷

Have a lovely holiday, OP.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday!

Chill out

I'm from Stoke and have never come across anyone who does this.

Yes midlands 🤣🤣

It is not helpful to call the OP 'paranoid'!

Nor is it all that helpful to bump a months-old thread just to impart your rather uninteresting wisdom.