Overheard at the train station:
A: Why did you have to throw a tantrum just now?
B: …
A: No, you tell me. Why did you lose your temper?
B: …
A: No, you admit you lose your temper first.
B: …A: Okay, say sorry.
B: …
A: Good. But, next time you throw tantrum like that again, I will ignore you ah!
B: …
I wasn’t eavesdropping. The conversation was loud enough to be heard by all of us standing around.
A is a grown up woman who looks to be in her late 20s or early 30s. B is her dad. She was apparently reprimanding her dad for antagonising her mother who was standing beside them all the while. I didn’t hear what the dad said cos he was mumbling.
And I couldn’t help but giggled when I heard the conversation. Because it reminded me of how most parents actually talk down to their kids. Me included.
So I made a mental note to myself.
Better be nicer to him now. Or else I might have to suffer payback when I’m old and senile.
I find myself caring for my parents like they are kids sometimes. It’s strange how fully independent adults who used to watch out for you now needs watching out themselves. Sort of like life coming full cycle.
DR: Yah, I think so…some of them do behave like kids…or they become more vulnerable.
Comment by domestic rat — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 @ 10:05 am
Heheh!! down here.. they say we have to be nice to our children.. because they are the ones.. who chooses our old folks home.. hahhaha!!
MB: Hahaha…that’s a funny saying. Oh dear, the poor old parents…
Comment by Mama Bok — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 @ 12:00 pm
heehee…the whole time i was picturing a 30 plus year old mother talking to her 5 year old kid. So when you said it was a conversation between a 20 plus and her dad…..I find it quite hard to visualise.
Jan: Sounds like an adult talking to a kid right? Wait till you see her talking. Really talk down to her dad. *shakes head*
Comment by Jan (My lovely Rays) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 @ 2:20 pm
Aiyo… talk down to her dad?!!! I can’t believe it. But i guess the daughter must have a really good relationship with her parents to be able to talk like that to them.
CM: I suspect the dad is maybe a little sick or suffering from dementia cos he looked weak and the daughter and wife had to hold on to him when he’s walking.
Comment by crazymommy — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 @ 6:20 pm
Yup, i thought it’s a conversation between a mother and a toddler as well…hmm..i better watch how i talk to Damien now…
Eileen: Heehee…can you imagine next time our kids talk to us like that?
Comment by Eileen — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 @ 12:28 pm
Aiyo.. so cute this daughter and father..
Yeah.. what words/methods/tone of voice we use on them.. they use back on us. I too have to tell myself to be careful.
ZM: Ya lor…
Comment by zara's mama — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 @ 2:22 pm