The restaurant was about half full, and we were enjoying catching up about work and exercise and whatever, when (seemingly, I'm sure, to her, from out of the blue) I started this non sequitor:
"Do you know how, when you're driving, you stop because someone is crossing the street? You might be turning right and the pedestrian has the right of way... but they walk VERY slowly?
Not, like, they're in pain and can barely walk. But, like, they have nowhere to be and all day to get there, and they don't give two shits about whether you, as the driver waiting for them to cross the street, DO have somewhere to go?"
She let me finish asking this semi-rhetorical question (it didn't really matter whether she answered "yes" or "no," although since she doesn't drive, it would probably have to be "no") and we both waited a couple beats, as she knew I expected her to ask, "Where the heck did that come from?" and yet she knew I knew she was a bit confused and wanted to wait me out.
She inhaled to ask me, and I started back in:
"I bring that up because I'm reminded of that situation by that couple over there. They finished eating about 10 minutes ago and they received their check. Their baby is crying... and crying.
In spite of the fact that their offspring is producing ear-splitting noises of discontent, they seem to be in no rush whatsoever to scoop up the little one and flee to the sanctity of their own home. They are so inured, it appears, to the noise that they simply don't give a crap about anyone else's dining experience."
In spite of the inherent kindness my friend possess, she had to agree... maybe because she doesn't have kids.
Eventually, the family left. We enjoyed our food in peace. It was good.
Maybe, someday, when I have children of my own I will forgive individuals who show no sense of urgency to alleviate the sufferings of those around me. Of course, I don't dilly-dally in crosswalks as a pedestrian, so hopefully I can avoid becoming that particular kind of annoying.
3 comments:
This phenomenon seems so common that I assume it's just natural for parents to tune it out. Crying kids is like nails on a chalkboard to me though. Drives me nuts
As a parent of two kids I will tell you that I still don't "tune out" their crying - my babies or other peoples - and I don't think you're supposed to.
Baby crying is supposed to be aggravating at almost a biological level because thats the signal to you (the parent) to do *something* to alleviate that condition. The fact that some people choose to just ignore it is fucked up.
Furthermore, if they had already paid for their food and still were just hanging out while their kid was going off to that degree suggests they are the exact same assholes you describe that like to slow roll their way through the crosswalk. That these people are allowed to procreate without some degree of re-education is a serious oversight.
Don't forget that we had naan as well. And those little spinach things. Luckily, the food (and the company, of course) was so pleasant, that I had nearly (until this moment) forgotten about that super annoying family :)
Post a Comment