What do you do when strangers click snaps of your kids in public places? I've faced this quite a few times at shopping malls, beach, temples etc. Luckily Pattu is shy and refuses to pose. The other day, some college guys at the beach were trying to get Pattu to pose and I had to politely tell them that she is shy and they should leave her alone. No matter how decent looking they are, I feel very uneasy about it. Similar incident at the shopping mall - this time I realised only after the picture was clicked. They were a sweet looking young couple and I felt very awkward to say anything so just smiled and moved away.
I am also quite uneasy with the too friendly Annas at the department stores ... I've just started telling Pattu to be careful with strangers.
Btw, if you still haven't made your weekend plans, check out Lets Do Something.
They have some workshops planned for the moms and the kids have some incentive to be there as well. They are having a digital photography workshop, embroidery sessions and robotics workshops for older children coming up soon. Salsa will also be added soon along with the western dance that they already have.
Forum Art Gallery also has workshops for kids. They also have some Christmas fun coming up.
9 comments:
I wrote a post along the same lines some time back....me too in the same boat....i keep wondering how i can politely tell people not to take pictures of T, esp when she loves to pose in front of a camera....
I'd written a post too, sometime back on this and in fact had commented on Jayashree's post based on the experience. I had not been vigilant until that episode (it was at the beach too!).Whether people are decent looking or not I think we must let them know what we feel.
Be firm yet polite. We need to stand up for what we believe. Though the situation is tough, if you are strong, you will be able to conquer it. Tell them no photos.this is kaliyug...even seemingly good things can cause bad reactions.
You are right about this. It is natural for you to feel concerned. I feel that you should say very nicely that you feel very uncomfortable about strangers clicking photos of your kids. I think its really important to have your say about this. They may be decent people but that is not a reason to let them go ahead and click photos. What if they lose the camera and someonelse gets it? Lets be safe than sorry.
@ All : True, there can't be any compromises on this one. We have to say no even if it does feel a bit unpleasant. Like Swapna says, its better to be safe than sorry!
You must defly let them know their boundaries. Arrrgh!
Print Lover - I'm all geared up for it if there should be a next time...
Good instincts, Uma. Many times I don't follow through on my instincts and I feel lousy later. Better to be safe than sorry indeed!
Most of the times i feel like I should just grab the damned cell phones and stomp stomp stomp.. or chomp choomp.. phoooo...
What I do is that I simply cover the child and tell them that she is 'afraid' of cameras and just cover my child with my body as though hiding the camera from her.
Most of the times others give up.
I even get annoyed when strangers pinch my child's cheeks. however good natured their intentions might be.
For all you know the general junta who are doing this maybe thinking that parents are nut jobs.. whats the harm in a simple pic? they may be wondering :)
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