Obnoxious roadie kid

[Crankin]

Ok, this morning I had to drop off a return at the UPS store, which is across the street from the bike shop. So, I decided to browse, although the clothing and accessories are ridiculously priced. There was a dad and his son in there, both in full cycling gear. The kid looked to be around 6 years old. He had his own very expensive looking road bike. Nothing wrong with that, but this kid was obnoxious! First, the dad was having them check his Zipp wheel. He went out to test ride it and when he came back in, he rode into the shop, slid, and fell on his azz, right at my feet, as I was paying for some socks. He was really embarrassed. Then, the dad started arguing with the mechanic (a woman) about what was wrong with the wheel and the spokes. She was being very calm and trying to explain to the guy that the spokes should not be as loose as they were. Then the kid pipes up and shouts, "Those wheels are crap!" This was after I heard the kid tell another customer that they had just moved here from Ohio and that there were too many safety rules here!
Later, I was in another part of town and saw them riding by, in some heavy traffic. Obviously, the kid can ride, but what a brat!

[mimitabby]

lol, not my kid!

[KSH]

The kid is 6 years old. His behavior is not his fault... it's the fault of his parents for spoiling him and letting him be rude and disrespectful to people.

It's obvious the kid doesn't appreciate the material items he has been given. So sad. He'll probably grow up to be a miserable adult looking for happiness in a bigger house, a nicer car... a younger wife.

[rij73]

I agree with KSH. Sounds like the kid was just repeating what he heard his father say. That's an excellent example for your kid to complain about 'safety rules'.

[Crankin]

I agree!
But I just had a good story to tell when my husband came home.

[redrhodie]

Oh, he sounds cute (NOT).

[RoadRaven]

Yup... those behaviours are learned behaviours... that father just gave everyone an insight into his own personality/behaviours or his partners.

The child is just mirrroring what has been modelled to him, and until someone says something to him, he won't change. And there's the rub. We can't say anything because our (Western) culture deems that the parenting role is sacrosanct and we cannot interfer.

Lets hope this child has some other role-models enter his life who can have a more positive effect on his life and set him up for social success...

[Trek420]

I heard the kid tell another customer that they had just moved here from Ohio and that there were too many safety rules here!

And that's where I'd say "and let me be the first of many to wish you a fond goodbye!"

[lph]

Thank you Trek, I was just waiting for somebody to come up with a snarky retort to that one but couldn't think of one myself

[boy in a kilt]

Squid larvae are an interesting species.

Too young to be proper targets because they don't quite know how to defend themselves, too obnoxious to be ignored.

[Crankin]

Good one, BIAK.
I really had to control myself not to say something. All I could think of was the poor teachers who are going to have this enabled kid with parents who probably think he can do no wrong. No wonder kids at school get pissed when I hold them accountable.
I was a very liberal mother, but my kids would never have talked like that and they were not exactly shy about expressing their opinions.

[OakLeaf]

The good news is...

I don't have to see them in Ohio!!!