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Original poster

Someone "crossed" dd forehead today in Boots, what is your opinion?

141 replies

lilymolly · 07/10/2006 18:57

Was in boots today with dd in pram, an older lady came to admire dd as they do! and she had her daughter with her,about 30ish who had learning difficulties (politically correct?)sorry if not.

Anyway, this lady got chatting and I was taking to her daughter and asking her name etc, being pleasant as you do, and anyway the older lady was very nice, and as she walked away she licked her finger and did a cross on dd forehead and said something like " god bless you child" or along the lines of this...

I was a little bit shocked but anyway walked away and got on with shopping. But it got me thinking, although I am not religous at all, I did not really get offended as I knew she meant well, but when I told dp, he thought it a little offensive , he is anti religion.
So I thought I would ask what you would have done in my position?? Not asking for religious/non religous debate, just your thoughts on how you would have reacted.

OP posts:
TwigTwoolett · 07/10/2006 20:17
TwigTwoolett · 07/10/2006 20:18

most other religions don't get evangelical and refuse aid unless you convert

Rowlers · 07/10/2006 20:18

Hehe

moaningpaper · 07/10/2006 20:18

Yes what if a nice Hindu lady had given your child a flower as a blessing from the Lord Krishna

(maybe with no spitting)

Would that have been offensive?

Original poster
lilymolly · 07/10/2006 20:19

tbh if anyone else from other religious had done something, I HOPE i would have felt the same. DD has been christened in cofe church, but was this event more likely to be a roman catholic thing?? I dont know.
Interesting thought though shimmy

OP posts:
TwigTwoolett · 07/10/2006 20:19

bugger have wine and xmen3 starting

stop being interesting please

moaningpaper · 07/10/2006 20:20

that's ok I really need to go and do something with a bag of beef mince

Original poster
lilymolly · 07/10/2006 20:20

yes wold have accepted the flower and thought it was lovely, I think it was the intimacy which purturbed me.

OP posts:
QuootieSpookypie · 07/10/2006 20:20

I had a worker in Tesco kiss DSs forhead the other week... Wasnt sure how to react. I just smiled

ThomBat · 07/10/2006 20:20

If someone of any religion blessed my child in their way, whichever way that might be, as long as it wasn't harmful, I'd be honoured and touched tbh.

bctmum · 07/10/2006 20:21

It's the spit on the finger - too personal

kama · 07/10/2006 20:22

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lulunaticmama · 07/10/2006 20:22

as a non christian - i would be a bit 'offended' but thats not the right word - maybe uncomfortable

. but as i am white and don;t look 'different' - not wrong to presume i would be christian if anything.

but i would not dream to say anything to the person doing it as it would be a well meaning and kind gesture. if she started trying to convert me to christianity - that would be different

  • i went to a wedding last year, when i was 39 weeks pregnant, they are family who are devoutly christian - i had so many 'strangers' touch my bump and kiss me and bless me and the baby and my DS- it was actually really lovely. they genuinely wanted me , the baby and DS to be looked after by a higher power.

if they had all made the sign of the cross , i would have found it a bit much - but i guess it's something that i would only know how i would truly react if it actually happend.

noseymum · 07/10/2006 20:24

I think saying you will pray for someone is a little bit different to LICKING their finger and signing your lo with the cross. Not on IMO. Never heard anYthing like it. Stangers, however nice, have no right to touch other people's children - especially with spit. Definately shouldn't kiss a stanger's baby.

Original poster
lilymolly · 07/10/2006 20:38

Kama, you have put it spot on! really want dd to grow up to be able to hug and kiss people (when appropriate) without fear, perhaps I am being a little niave??

OP posts:
jasper · 07/10/2006 20:52

I would have taken it as a well meant gesture of love as I am sure that was how it was intended.

mrsdarcy · 07/10/2006 22:14

I'd have been pleased and touched.

Original poster
lilymolly · 07/10/2006 22:22

thanks, yeah I think I was really

OP posts:
edam · 07/10/2006 22:23

I would have assumed her intentions were kind, but been grossed out by the spit. Yuck. And odd - have never known any Christian spit on their fingers to do that. Would guess maybe a Catholic thing, although my devoutly Catholic grandmother never did anything of the sort.

kama · 07/10/2006 22:50

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GhoulsToo · 07/10/2006 22:52

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brimfull · 07/10/2006 22:54

My dh's gran does this but without the spit.I don't find it offensive but the spit would bother me a bit.

expatinscotland · 07/10/2006 22:54

I can't see the offense, tbh.

BUT, I have also lived in cultures w/extreme openness and warmness towards ALL children, as in, people touching your child.

It would have just rolled off on me, tbh.

'Thank you', goodbye, move on.

kittywits · 07/10/2006 23:04

That's a really touching thing to have done, it's about old fashioned values of children being part of the community, of people taking an interest in children that aren't just their own . Such a shame we have lost that now

expatinscotland · 07/10/2006 23:05

I agree, kitty!

FWIW, DON'T move to certain Latin American or Middle Eastern cultures if you get bent out of shape over someone crossing your child.