Sunday, July 22, 2012

Something I Will Never Do...

I have a confession:  I people watch.  All the time. It's not like I do it obviously where I stare at people and make them feel uncomfortable, but I do it naturally, and it's fun to observe human interaction to see what "other people" do in various situations.  My part-time job gives me many opportunities to people watch because it's a little cafe and there are 10 - 20 people at any given time. Sometimes, I get to witness the most amazing things, such as a little toddler hugging his older sister, or a couple in their 70's holding hands and spending time talking to each other.  Seeing positive relationships comforts me, because all I see on the news nowadays are stories about fighting, guns, wars, etc.  Most of the time, people watching is fun...

Today, however, I witnessed something horrible.  There was a mom and her two children (teenage girl and a little boy) who came up to the counter to order breakfast from me, and here's how the conversation went:

Mom:  Do y'all have smoothies?

Me:  Yes, here is our menu for smoothies.

Boy:  Mom, can I have french toast?

Mom: No. You are going to share a smoothie with your sister, and we'll see from there.
(turns to me)
We'll have the Paradise Power Up.

Boy: MOM! I want french toast! I'm hungry.

Mom:  No. You will share a smoothie for breakfast.

Boy: MOM! Please! I'm HUNGRY.

Mom: No. We'll have the paradise power up.

Boy starts crying.


This conversation broke my heart! I don't think I'm describing the heartbreak this boy had in his face, and it's hard to convey on the internet, but I felt terribly for him.  It didn't help my sanity that he was very skinny...and maybe(?) his mother was trying to get him to eat some fresh fruit, but he honestly looked starved. 

Sigh.

Right then, in that moment, I promised myself I would NEVER get to the point of BJ begging me for food.  It was so sad.

I guess I shouldn't try that hard to people watch too much... I don't like seeing negative situations.




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