Entitlement mentality - Long story

[CowboyCO]

We took the kids to a great event sponsored by a local TV station and a family fun center. It was a "Safety Day" and they had booths from dozens of businesses and organizations with activites for the kids. There were police and search and rescue teams, soldiers from Fort Carson with a humvee, a fire truck, a medivac helicopter, etc. Lots of fun for the kids to see al the equipment and meet uniformed people who may need to help them in the future. They also did carseat checks and lots free stuff from businesses.

They had activities like a dunk tank, safety plinko and other activities that had the kids learn about what to do in a fire, etc. If the kids completed all the stations, they could take their card to a station manned by volunteers from the fire department and get a free bicycle helmet. Late in the day, they began to run out of sizes of helmets. My boys were in line to turn in their cards andwere being helped by a fireman. He was able to find a helmet that fit one of my DSes, but not both. He apologized to DS11 that couldn't get a helmet, but DS thanked him anyway, saying he had fun doing all the stations.

Then, next to us, a lady with her daughter started SCREAMING at the fireman helping them - "What do you mean you don't have any more helmets her size?!!!! We wouldn't have done all these stupid f-ing games if we would have known she wouldn't get a helmet!" The fireman apologized and said that more people had come out than were anticipated and they were starting to run out. She yelled again, telling him to call his supervisor because she wanted her helmet! He tried to explain to her that their was no supervisor because they were all just volunteering their time and the helmets were all donated by area bike shops. She continued to rant and rave while we walked off.

I looked at my boys and asked them, "Boys do I need to explain any of that?" DS8 said, "No - she's just crazy..."

Why do people get freaked out and upset when they run out of free stuff? They ran out. You got to play some games. Get over yourself...

 

[dakcp2001]

Poor fireman. That will teach them to be nice & volunteer! Ugh.

 

[Myothername]

As I posted on the thread about the snowflake, I would not have been able to help myself but to say they only give helmets to the pretty children.

 

[DawnCt1]

For some bizarre reason, I envisioned "Violette" in Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka, turning purple and blowing up! Did that happen to the woman and her daughter? No, no such luck!

 

[RhondaL]

I looked at my boys and asked them, "Boys do I need to explain any of that?" DS8 said, "No - she's just crazy..."

He apologized to DS11 that couldn't get a helmet, but DS thanked him anyway, saying he had fun doing all the stations.

Sounds like you have great kids!

 

[Magpie]

Your son had it down cold - "She's just crazy!"

People like that need to be ignored. I feel sorry for her daughter.

Me, I would have either waited to have a word with the firefighter she was screaming at, or I couldn't wait, I would have snagged another one to pass on a short message of sympathy and support to him. Mean people can really ruin someone's day.

You know, you could always have your kids write a thank you note to the local fire station!

 

[denisenh]

Then, next to us, a lady with her daughter started SCREAMING at the fireman helping them - "What do you mean you don't have any more helmets her size?!!!! We wouldn't have done all these stupid f-ing games if we would have known she wouldn't get a helmet!" The fireman apologized and said that more people had come out than were anticipated and they were starting to run out. She yelled again, telling him to call his supervisor because she wanted her helmet! He tried to explain to her that their was no supervisor because they were all just volunteering their time and the helmets were all donated by area bike shops. She continued to rant and rave while we walked off.

screaming lady should meet up with pool guy both embarrassing examples of human behavior these days.

I looked at my boys and asked them, "Boys do I need to explain any of that?" DS8 said, "No - she's just crazy..."

a glimmer of hope for the future

 

[Christine]

Uuuugghhh...people are just so bizarre.

And what *is* up with getting crazy over free stuff? Where I work, people will wait in line for a long time to get a free pencil or pack of post it notes. If this fireman helmets are what I'm thinking of, they can be had for $1 at the dollar store, correct?

 

[Ceila]

Uuuugghhh...people are just so bizarre.

And what *is* up with getting crazy over free stuff? Where I work, people will wait in line for a long time to get a free pencil or pack of post it notes. If this fireman helmets are what I'm thinking of, they can be had for $1 at the dollar store, correct?

No, the OP said they were bike helmets provided by local bike shops. More expensive that those toy hats, sure, but that woman's reaction was ridiculous.

 

[Christine]

No, the OP said they were bike helmets provided by local bike shops. More expensive that those toy hats, sure, but that woman's reaction was ridiculous.

Oh sorry--that's what I get for speed reading.

 

[CowboyCO]

Uuuugghhh...people are just so bizarre.

And what *is* up with getting crazy over free stuff? Where I work, people will wait in line for a long time to get a free pencil or pack of post it notes. If this fireman helmets are what I'm thinking of, they can be had for $1 at the dollar store, correct?

These were good-quality bike helmets. Value probably ranged from $15-$25.

 

[Piglets Mommy]

Uuuugghhh...people are just so bizarre.

And what *is* up with getting crazy over free stuff? Where I work, people will wait in line for a long time to get a free pencil or pack of post it notes. If this fireman helmets are what I'm thinking of, they can be had for $1 at the dollar store, correct?

I read it as a bike helmet. Either way it was a free helmet at a free family fun day. Maybe if her DD HAD to have a helmet, she should have gotten there earlier.

A free bike helmet would have been worth waiting for, as they can get expensive, but you are right, people do go crazy over the silliest things. My SIL stood in line for a half hour once cause she was overcharged by 8 cents once. I understand that sometimes you have to do these things to prove a point, but I happened to have been paying $10/hr for a babysitter at the time so she could stand in line for a half hour and argue over 8 cents.

ETA: Sorry...I type too slow...the helmet thing has been clarified!

 

[shortbun]

We took the kids to a great event sponsored by a local TV station and a family fun center. It was a "Safety Day" and they had booths from dozens of businesses and organizations with activites for the kids. There were police and search and rescue teams, soldiers from Fort Carson with a humvee, a fire truck, a medivac helicopter, etc. Lots of fun for the kids to see al the equipment and meet uniformed people who may need to help them in the future. They also did carseat checks and lots free stuff from businesses.

They had activities like a dunk tank, safety plinko and other activities that had the kids learn about what to do in a fire, etc. If the kids completed all the stations, they could take their card to a station manned by volunteers from the fire department and get a free bicycle helmet. Late in the day, they began to run out of sizes of helmets. My boys were in line to turn in their cards andwere being helped by a fireman. He was able to find a helmet that fit one of my DSes, but not both. He apologized to DS11 that couldn't get a helmet, but DS thanked him anyway, saying he had fun doing all the stations.

Then, next to us, a lady with her daughter started SCREAMING at the fireman helping them - "What do you mean you don't have any more helmets her size?!!!! We wouldn't have done all these stupid f-ing games if we would have known she wouldn't get a helmet!" The fireman apologized and said that more people had come out than were anticipated and they were starting to run out. She yelled again, telling him to call his supervisor because she wanted her helmet! He tried to explain to her that their was no supervisor because they were all just volunteering their time and the helmets were all donated by area bike shops. She continued to rant and rave while we walked off.

I looked at my boys and asked them, "Boys do I need to explain any of that?" DS8 said, "No - she's just crazy..."

Why do people get freaked out and upset when they run out of free stuff? They ran out. You got to play some games. Get over yourself...

Forgiveness is very freeing.

 

[emma'smom]

I think I would have just asked for the next size up figuring my kid could grow into it.

 

[BillSears]

Her reation was way over the top.

On the other hand I might have been a bit upset inside(no I wouldn't have complained) if I did all of that and then found out that the Firefighters weren't going to hold up their end of the bargin. If you're told do X and I'll give you Y then you expect to receive Y.

I think I would have just asked for the next size up figuring my kid could grow into it.

That is a great way to handle it.

 

[starrzone]

Just (I seem to have lots of those feelings here on the DIS!)...I sure hope her house doesn't catch on fire! Fireman: "Oops, we ran out of water. Sorry, lady! But here's a helmet!"

 

[denisenh]

Her reaction was way over the top.

true dat wurd

On the other hand I might have been a bit upset inside (no I wouldn't have complained) if I did all of that and then found out that the Firefighters weren't going to hold up their end of the bargin. If you're told do X and I'll give you Y then you expect to receive Y.

I figure when its free, don't expect Y...free Y is always followed by "while supplies last" or "promotion may end at any time without advance notice"

That is a great way to handle it.

i'll drink to that

 

[Inigo]

We have child safety events where we give out child bike helmets. What breaks my heart is how many of those parents then throw away the helmets after they get them! Seriously, we have found quite a few in the trash bins right outside the event. Why do people get the freebies then turn around and throw them away??

 

[CowboyCO]

I think I would have just asked for the next size up figuring my kid could grow into it.

They would not have done it. They were fitting the kids in the helmets. A helmet that is too big is dangerous.

 

[CowboyCO]

Her reation was way over the top.

On the other hand I might have been a bit upset inside(no I wouldn't have complained) if I did all of that and then found out that the Firefighters weren't going to hold up their end of the bargin. If you're told do X and I'll give you Y then you expect to receive Y.



That is a great way to handle it.

What bargain? It wasn't a contract. It was a Safety Fair. Maybe it would have been better if they shut down everything because they were starting to run out of helmets. The things they were "told" to do were all activities that taught them about safety - what to do in a fire, when you are lost, etc. It was all great education and fun. They did get something. They may have learned something that will save their own life someday!