by Lisa McGee

Created on: September 05, 2008

To really get a good look at the state of our society today, all one needs do is spend a few hours at a McDonald's play land. There you will see the roots of rudeness and the occasional struggle against it.

It might seem an odd place to go, especially if you don't have children, but it is the perfect place to watch people interact. Parents teaching how to get along with others, modeling how to deal with problems that arise, you can even answer the question "Why is Bobby the way he is?" Yes, think of a child you've always wondered about, what kind of parent raised him? For the price of a Happy Meal, you can see Bobby's mommy in action.

True story. I was at the McDonald's one winter afternoon with my three children, so were a bunch of other mothers, desperate to find some way of having the kids let off some steam. We were all transfixed by one little boy, let's call him Bobby. We were watching Bobby because he was calling our name. Over and over he was tugging on his mother's arm, holding himself with the other hand, saying, "Mommy!, Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" Yes, every Mommy's head turned and we could all plainly see what the issue was. Bobby's own Mommy was reading a book. It must have been a really good book, because while every other mother in the place was twitching with the urge to scoop Bobby up and rush to the bathroom, his mommy was totally ignoring him.

She finally did look up when Bobby said, "Oh, No!" By that time, Bobby had no further need to be rushed to the bathroom. His mother looked from him to the large puddle that was spreading over the floor. Her reaction was to slam down her book and heave a sigh. She got up, picked Bobby up and placed him standing, on her chair. Now she really had our attention. Not only the mothers, but the children were staring, goggled eyed. What would she do now?

Casually, Bobby's Mommy stripped him down naked, and I do mean naked, and stuffed his clothing into her bag. She then lifted him up, grabbed her bag and book and walked out of the McDonald's.

As soon as it was clear that she didn't stop to ask for someone to clean up the mess, the other mothers sprang into action. I went to request clean up, others patrolled the perimeter of the toxic waste site, to assure no one stumbled into it. Some began answering the many questions that were being asked by the children. Yet others began to discuss what this incident said about the state of our society.

What does that kind of behavior say about the state of rudeness in our society? I think it perfectly answers the question "What is wrong with Bobby?" Maybe not today, but some day soon, Bobby will become the child who can't empathize with his peers. Why? Because no one ever paid attention to his needs, even the very basic ones. He'll say and do what he wants without a care about how it effects others. He will be the kid who does what he wants and walks away from the mess, he won't feel the need to pitch in and help clean up. He hasn't been taught to.

Bobby's Mommy is not the only one dolling out life lessons along with the fries. Listen and you will hear mothers (and fathers) encouraging their little ones to introduce themselves and invite others to play. You will hear reminders to share, take turns, watch out for the little ones and say your sorry. All of this gives one hope. Rudeness abounds in our society, but if we all keep doing the best we can to combat it, we can teach our children better.

Learn more about this author, Lisa McGee.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.