Why Men Get a Bad Rap

11Jul09

Artist: Mal Jones

They pile out of the mini-van, a cacophony of shrieks and whines. I see a blur of arms, legs and messy hair.

Mom. Poor mom. She is trying to put the baby in the shopping cart. She is trying to convince the little boy to behave.

Yes, he can bring in his action figure. No, he cannot wear his goggles and cape into the store.

She is trying to keep the little girl from running into the parking lot.

This isn’t a dance hall, she tells the young ballerina. Stand still and keep close to me.

She is trying to keep track of her cell phone, keys, coupon book, and purse. Dammit. She forgot the diaper bag. Back in the car.

She is trying to calm the fussy baby in the shopping cart. This is taking too long.

She is trying not to lose her mind.

As this spectacle unfolded before me, I glanced at the man standing off to her side. He looks cool in his cargo shorts and Rayban sunglasses. He is texting someone on his phone. He puts the phone away and puts his hands in his pockets, staring into the distance. He is waiting for a bus. He is hanging out at a beach. Life is chill.

No, he is dad. He is waiting for the mayhem to end so they can go into the Walmart.

Mom pauses and turns to him. I keep walking.  Show time is over. I don’t need to see the look she gives him. I would vaporize him on the spot too.

Unbelievable…

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen this.

There was also the guy who stood idly by in the grocery line while the wife/girlfriend handled the entire transaction AND handled the rowdy kids in the shopping cart AND helped the cashier bag all the groceries.

And everyone behind them had to wait. I almost wanted to join in and help them with the bagging. But not before I slap the guy upside his head.

Not all guys are like that. I know this for a fact.

So maybe he deserves a double-slap.

Un-freaking-believable.

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Tags: bad reputation for men, busy mom, crazy shopping day, dumb, inconsiderate, lazy dad, lazy husband, lazy men, life is chill, Musings, oblivious, Opinion, overworked mom, people, people-watching, psychology, Random, Rants, reflections, slap in the head, thoughts, vignette, Writing