Sad Santa? So Upset!

brummygirl666

I went shopping tonight for some bits and pieces for christmas, it was more a window shop than anything else. I have been off work for a while and things have been tight but I have done my best for the kids for christmas.

This gentleman got chatting to my son in the queue and he looked a bit like santa in fact the man even stated so, my son was on about Ps3's and stated he would like one for christmas to which i replied not this year, theres no way I can afford it.

This man came up to me at the door to the shop asked my son to take my bag and had hold of my arm and took the other bag of me and gave it to my daughter, my son wouldnt take the bag. Im totally baffled as to what is going on at this point. This man then states to my son does he really want to risk losing a ps3 for the sake of carrying my bag. To which my son looked at him as though he was mad, and said your not going to buy a ps3.

The man then stated that he was going to buy him one as he was filthy rich but he wouldnt now cos my son would not take my bag. My son was really upset, we had gone out knowing i had not a lot of money and it was about spending time together and it suddenly became about this man and the fact that he might of got a ps3.

Firstly my son barely spoke and we cut our shop short as the mood was ruined, he has been so quiet. Secondly im gutted that this man upset my son saying such a thing because i could not afford to buy him one, leaves me feeling a bit of a failure, I have done my best this year and its not as good as other years but I have tried to focus on the little things like today and shopping for little things for us as a family.

Then there is the issue of was this man a crank, what was the purpose of coming up to me and should I have reported it. I say this because other people said I should as he could say the same thing to other kids and the whole thing was very bizarre. A little girl was lost in store today while i was shopping and as she got upset I took her by the hand to customer service to make sure she was reunited with her mum I felt like if anyone saw me that they might think i was running off with her. I genuinely did not like the thought of a 3?yr old upset looking for her mum and did what i thought was right, maybe this man did too and he saw my son as being rude by refusing to take the bag. I dont know I just know I have an upset little boy and Im not feeling that great. I wish Christmas was not all about what you get and more about focusing on the family.

Sorry I have gone on, just made me think a lot about Christmas being all about money and not about meaning!

bestpud

Maybe it has got your son thinking it was a bit mean to refuse to help you carry the bags, especially as you have been ill?

I think that was the point this man was making tbh, however strangely!

brummygirl666

Possibly, normally though he would carry the bags, it was just the way the man was saying take the bag he thought he was joking. Oh well either way it has me thinking about how commercial christmas is and how its all about the latest thing. We were having a really nice evening and spending virtually nothing the man may have thought he was teaching my son a lesson but he also ruined something we had been looking forward to. Better luck next time hopefully.

stardoman

I think sometimes older people think they are being clever and don't realise how easily upset a child can be.

At my shopping centre there is a ramp or a set of stairs. My 3 year old used to like to run up the ramp while I walked up the stairs. I could keep my eye on him the whole time and would walk up really slow so that Arran would always win the race.

One day, a man spoke to my son just as he reached the top of the ramp and told him I hadn't bothered waiting and was gone. I was so close, I heard what this man said and saw my son's face crumple. It spoilt an innocent game. Arran was very upset and then when we got to the bank this man was behind us in the queue. He was laughing and obviously thought it had been a great joke. I wouldn't normally, but I gave him a piece of my mind. How dare he?

Mandy.

brummygirl666

Oooh thats a horrible thing to happen too, kids do get unnerved by things people say.

I have been really penny pinching , cutting back and scouring the moneysaving boards for ideas and discounts, bargains etc. I thought i had done ok buying what i have for them but seeing him so gutted over a Ps 3 really upset me.

Although before he went to bed he said dont worry mum I was just being selfish,we dont need one i will be happy with whatever i get for xmas.

I think if I had bumped into the man again I may have been tempted to give him a piece of my mind. He seemed so nice initially maybe it was just a thoughtless thing he said and im making more out of it because im worried that my efforts arent going to be good enough.

sylphraven

I'm amazed you managed to keep quiet, something along the lines of "thats all very well but as you've just seen, my son is taught not to take things from strangers, now if your done upsetting him we're going to try & enjoy the rest of our day".

I'm sure this man thought he was teaching your son a valuable lesson & helping you out - unfortunately, having no connection with your son he doesnt mind upsetting him either, or understand the other implications his "punishment" caused.

Please dont feel your efforts wont be worth it, you've obviously raised polite children and should be proud that everything they will lovingly receive was bought with sweat & tears, and a lot of thought behind each.

& if you see this guy again, tell him you were going to buy him a big bottle of brandy/meal (etc) but then he poked his nose in, upset a little boy and ruined a family day out.

claire1234

hiya,

was this in a shopping center or just outside of a high street shop?

if i was you i would report this to the security department of where ever it was you were,
i very much doubt that this man was filthy rich and going around buying ps3`s,
no offence ment but he more than likely saw a defence-less (sp) woman.

they can use cctv to find him, they can keep the photos on file just in case,
please report it just incase its something more serious.

SecretSquirrel88

How terrible! I have to agree with the above post - I should report it and see if there is any cctv evidence

brummygirl666

Hi have phoned the store today and told the manager and they are looking and seeing if its on cctv for me. I was just inside the shop door so it should be, I just said I was concerned about what had happened.

I dont think I reacted because I was so shocked I just didnt get chance, once he realised that my son would not do as he said he let me go and was lost in the crowd really quickly.

It was very bizarre, my son is ok today and I have told him that we will save up and then it will mean much more because we have had to save for it.

I have had the stranger talk with the kids again to make sure that they know what to do if they are approached, horrible thing but best be safe than sorry.

Tulip

I am so sorry this happened to your son,hope hes ok now

Katie

moneysavingfamilycomp

your post really upsett me please try not to feel bad and dont let it ruin xmas. your son sounds very sensible how about giving him a jar with a picture of a ps3 stuck on the front that way it makes saving for it exciting as he will be able to see the money building up. we sometimes underestimate how much our children understand about what we can afford. i think you did the right thing reporting him just incase his motives were more sinister. even if he thought he was helping there may of been a reason why you didnt want your children carrying the bags ( something in them you didnt want them to see, something breakable, they may of had an injury which meant they shouldnt be carrying things ) this man didnt know the circumstances so had no business interfearing. and remember the things we remember about our childhood xmases isnt the presents its the good times we had with family.