So baby girl was going on and on about french fries at 7am this morning and because we haven’t had our dose of unhealthy fast food for a total of 6.5 days now, I brought her to McD’s for some Mcjunkfood. They didn’t have fries for breakfast but as far as my baby was concerned, anything made of potato and fried till golden brown was called FANFRIES!! Tater tots, hash browns, chips, criss-cut fries, all FANFRIES, GIMME FANFRIESSSS!!!
It’s lame to disclaim but before anyone gets all judgey on me, I’ll state that she only gets to eat them on very special occasions like birthdays or christmas or parties or when they catch me snacking on chips from my secret stash of Ruffles cheddar and sour cream (I’m a potato chip snob, it’s got to be worth the fats for me to eat it).
When we got to mackers, there were no baby chairs around except for one at the outdoor al fresco section. Which I went out to get while carrying Kirsten in one arm and bunch of groceries in the other. In my experience with Singaporeans, about 37% of people will hold the door open for a frazzled mother carrying twice her weight. About 50% will pretend to not notice and the final 13% will watch on like it’s some kind of slapstick comedy.
I encountered the final 13% today. In the form of giggling schoolgirls. As the previous guy walked out and the door swung back after him, I stuck out my foot to keep it open while balancing on the other and trying to manoeuvre everything else through.
The whole time, these 6 Secondary School girls were standing about 3 metres away, watching us struggle with the door. I know because I saw them momentarily pause midway through conversation and look at us. So I stood there pondering if I should make one of them hold the door open for me (while I gave them a lesson on helping others in need) when a little boy no bigger than 8 ran up, opened the door and ran off with his friend.
Saved by the bell, girls. And I found myself thinking, if I were that boy’s momma, I’d be so proud.
12 Comments
I had so many encounters similar to yours as well, and it’s sad to see the teenagers today reacting this way.
It doesn’t come across their mind that one day, they will be in your same position. Being a mother, alone with kid/s.
Bravo to the little boy.
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The boy was really sweet but he ran off before I could even get his name.
I’m a potato chips snob too! I only eat kettles & tetra. Hehe.
Oh man, this reminded me of the time when i was pregnant with my kid and i was on the MRT. Some lady was nice enough to give up her seat for me, but some teenager just happily sat down in the seat. Everyone was like *what the heck*?? Man, we really gotta teach our kids manners and pray they dont end up like these ill-breds…
I just hope it’s down to blurness and not that they’re mean. Our kids will most probably learn by watching how we behave with other people even without having us actually teaching them to give up their seat.
I have so many such encounters myself too. If my kids grow up like that, I will give them a good spanking. What really gets on my nerve is when I am pushing my babies on their prams at the shopping mall or MRT, I can never get into the lift because they are always filled with people who are just too lazy to use the escalator. Everyone just pretend they didnt see us. What Singapore should do more is to inculcate the people to also reserve the lift for people who has difficulty using the escalator.
True! Sometimes I will get on the elevator going in the opposite direction just to make sure I get in because it’s usually too crowded to get in eventually.
should write letter to the girls’ school principal…. name and shame!
I figured getting them busted wasn’t really going to help much in teaching them to be considerate. Hopefully they learnt by watching the little boy.
Moms, whenever you need help, JUST ASK! We deserve it!!!
There was once I had to giveup 2 lifts at the MRT just becos it’s full. I got so irritated that when the 3rd (full) one came, I just asked 2 adults nearest to the door to take the escalator and let me in. Thankfully they did.
There will always be unhelpful pple, but there are so many more who have helped me carried my stroller up the bus & in the rain, opened doors for me, warned me of the MRT train gap, and are friendly to my babes. I’m so ever thankful for them.
Agreed. It’s really nice to meet people who hold out the door for you or help hoist the stroller…totally makes my day. And yes, asking does help, sometimes they’re a bit shy to offer and all it takes is a little request.
I really really hope those girls weren’t convent girls :(
M´s last post ..Caring is Sharing
Actually I’m not sure, but does it make a difference?