why do people make snide comments about your dcs' behaviour in public?

[grumpypants]

i just don't get it. if you see someone struggling why be a bitch? it just makes no sense unless you really need to feel smug to get through the day?
back story: in supermarket doing full shop (no time for online/ dh works every day until about 8pm) with 4 dcs. one in trolley, one helping, two boys being loud and annoying. Me, trying v hard - walk by the trolley, just stop it, it's not a playground etc etc. (they are 8 and 5). They are not destroying things, crashing into people or taking things off the shelves, but def not behaviour i want. Older, groomed couple - her to him - 'gives you a headache, doesn't it?' Then we queue behind them - him to her - 'Ey up', nodding to us.
Thanks. That really contributed to making my day. Unlike the nice bloke who said 'I know where you are, I've got 5!'

bump - need cheering up!

Its petty and small minded and reflects on them not you - unpleasant individuals. You should have said something utterly withering to them to put them in their place. I have rather a patrician sounding voice so I tend to look down my nose and say something cutting and then watch the other person(s) opening and closing their mouths in shock like a dying fish

It's a bit crashing, I find. Especially when they are blamed for things they didn't do: "Your children should be in a demolition squad" - the f*king wind blew the pile of paper everywhere because you left the f*king window open and my children were nowhere near them. Still rankle after two weeks. I should get a life.

uptoapoint - i remember things like that for ages too!
Thanks for the comments - i can cope with sympathetic eye rolling, but not under the breath nastiness

will practise my voice and comments in the mirror then!

My general purpose comment for those situations is [to misbehaving DC] " Remember your manners! You don't want to end up like those people over there, who were obviously very badly brought up."

I find that this works especially well to wind up sneery older people.

Oh, and

People like that are twats.

Nice one ImNotThere, respect ! (memorises that one)

i love that imnotthere !
Thank you all.