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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:

hub2dee · 08/10/2006 11:22

I would go up to the woman and give her a big 'dog lick' with my man tongue whilst smiliing sweetly and then explain that it's 'good luck.'

kittywits · 08/10/2006 11:25

hub2dee but it's not good luck is it? And that would be a nasty thing to do. She wasn't being nasty.

hub2dee · 08/10/2006 11:32

What's not 'good luck' kittywits ? The licking the face or the crossing ?

hub2dee · 08/10/2006 11:33

(Oh, and what if my dog lick was well intentioned ?) (Oh, and what if it was also lucky ?)

Original poster

lilymolly · 08/10/2006 11:38

oh no, she soooooo meant well, makes me sad to think someone would have said something or done something mean to her
I understand why someone would be upset, but I think walking away and cussing under breath later would be better than to go up and lick her face!!

OP posts:

beetroot · 08/10/2006 11:39

If you were in Greece they would be spiting on your dd so count yourself luck!!

ghosty · 08/10/2006 11:41

I have not read any answers .... but my thoughts on your OP is ...
A lady wished your child well ... and I think that is just lovely .... - why would anyone be offended by that? I don't get it ...

I would have been very touched by it.

muma3 · 08/10/2006 11:45

i think its a nice thing to do . being non religious i would of felt uncomfortable. the licking finger part is a bit ott imo and i would of being in 2 minds to say something but i would of been grateful she took the time to be nice , something that you dont get anymore these days. better then tipping buggy up or something nasty

allhallows · 08/10/2006 11:48

With all the germs floating around anyway, what's a little old lady saliva on the forehead? If you were really worried, you could have grabbed a packet of disinfectant wipes (being in Boots already, quite convenient) & scrubbed baby "clean".

I think it was a kind & loving gesture, a bit eccentric but definitely well-meant. Getting upset about religious differences to this extent is just making current intolerance worse.

kittywits · 08/10/2006 11:49

Licking someone's face !!

kittywits · 08/10/2006 11:51

I think yours is an unpleasant attitude to take hub2dee, there's no need for it. Why you would want to be nasty to someone's whose intentions were kind and good?

hub2dee · 08/10/2006 12:03

LOL, kitty, I'm not saying I do this or I'd do this, or anyone should do this or anyone does this... I'm trying to point out that people have different interpretations of what is 'good' or what is 'acceptable', and what is acceptable / natural / well-meaning to one might not necessarily be to another.

When 'kind and good intention's, particularly from a religious perspective get applied to the social / societal, there potentially is cause for friction as it presupposes that one's own 'kind and good' is is the same for the other IYSIWM.

Perhaps the missionary movement abroad is an example of how this analogy / point might apply. If one wanted to go to an impoverished community in an African country to assist in digging wells, building schools or developing agricultural economies that might be a good thing. But to go to the same place and carry out the same actions in a religiously-inspired / religiously exclusive way might not necessarily be seen to be quite as neutral or quite as acceptable by some people.

kittywits · 08/10/2006 12:47

hub2dee, alright then

hub2dee · 08/10/2006 12:54

LOL

jabberwocky · 08/10/2006 13:00

The spit thing would have bothered me the most, I think. Not being Christian, I have to admit that I might have done a bit of an internal sigh at the assumption that I was, but it's a common assumption, unfortunately.

On the hygienic end of it, when ds was about 4 months old, the date of a friend stuck her finger in his mouth to "feel" for teeth. We were at a party and I was utterly shocked that someone I had just met would do such a thing. Coincidentally, his first cold came within a few days of that...

kittywits · 08/10/2006 13:00

meowmix · 08/10/2006 13:04

you know some people think its lucky/a blessing when a seagull craps on you. I think your dd got off lightly with a bit of finger spittle wipeage.

hub2dee · 08/10/2006 13:06

3andnomore · 08/10/2006 14:33

lilymolly, seeing that the old lady was just being nice and kind, I really don't see why your oh would get offended by it, religious or not!
It's not as the old lady tried to convert you or try to make you feel bad for whatever religious or non religious beliefs you hold!

Original poster

lilymolly · 08/10/2006 15:28

Yes I agree, following on from my original post, I have stated that I may have over reacted in my thoughts and that in hindsight it was a really nice thing to you. I used the word "offended" originally, but have since retracted that. 24 hours later I can tell you all I am not offended and think it was a nice thing, I just wanted to share it all with MN really, but do not want people to think I am an ungrateful nasty cow who does not like old ladies!

OP posts:

Saturn74 · 08/10/2006 15:29

Ah, bless you, lilymolly!

nogoes · 08/10/2006 15:43

Well I am religious but I would be offended but I am not sure why.

Original poster

lilymolly · 08/10/2006 20:47

Thanks for blessing my child

OP posts:

Saturn74 · 08/10/2006 20:51

3andnomore · 08/10/2006 21:39

nogoes...why...just curious!
And aww lilymolly

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