I think adults should think twice before saying something in front of kids as if they are not there. I still remember when I was 6 or 7 trying out for the school’s choir, a teacher who was a friend of my mom said, “Your daughter doesn’t have a very good voice, but we will still take her.” Ever since then I was always self conscious about my singing.
I think when I’m doubt about whether the comment could possibly offend anyone with in hearing distance (especially kids), folks need to refrain. There’s NO good reason to hurt others—none! People really feel the can just blurt out whatever pops into their minds with no filter and heck with who may be hurt. It’s really thoughtless and sometimes quite cruel—intentional or not!
At 34 weeks my doc said I needed an emergency c-section due to preeclampsia. I was told to go to the ER desk, check in and then go up to Maternity. The ER nurse/clerk checking me in said “Maternity? Are you pregnant?”
Cardiologist and other medical professionals ask if emphysema is reversible!?!? Huh? You mean, does it heal itself? Ummm, actually it’s a chronic PROGRESSIVE condition—are you sure you have medical training?!?!?
Oh yeah, going to a specialist with a binder 2” thick and a confirmed diagnosis of x from a internally respected facility & MD—“Nope, you just have bad asthma.” Ok then! I’m out of here.
D#1 was a preemie and we used to go to the NICU picnic every year. D#2 (who is Asian and clearly not my bio child) was signing us in and the nurse running the table was confused and thought D#2 was the preemie, so we said no and pointed out D#1 who was standing a little way away. The nurse looked at me and said “Isn’t there anything WRONG with her?”
Now many of the 24 weekers we knew wore glasses or hearing aids, still needed oxygen or other supports, but D#1 didn’t. I did throw the nurse a bone and say, “Well, she’s left handed.”