I think this is just wrong, if there's something different about you toddlers will tell and they'll try rationalize why and how you're different 😠they're brutal and they have insane stare down skills
Imagine being a toddler. Everything is new to you, including every person who's not your family. Of course you stare, to take in as much information as possible. You're not ready to judge, but you're creating categories to help sort all that information. And you're ripe to be influenced.
This is why it's worth engaging with the toddler if possible. Your short conversation in this teachable moment can be the foundation of countless improved interactions that person has, with disabled people, and in talking with others about people with disabilities, and other differences, during their lifetime. They could even grow up to be a person who creates laws that affect you and your friends.
The first time I saw a black person as a kid, I was staring.. as young kids do.. The guy notices and engages by showing the palms of his hands and saying something along along the lines of "Look. Not all of my skin is black."
I used to do something like that. Instead of talking to them, I would just lean over and belch the word "HELLO!" real loud at them. They would often run away crying, but I felt like there was real value in our interaction.
One time I was at a cafe getting lunch, and I saw an old man's skull. He wasn't just bald, he had his skull showing. It was the colour of bone with a red ring of flesh around the hole. And he was sitting and having a coffee with his friends.
I'm not disabled, at least not visibly, there might be a bit of neurospiciness going on in the background, but I do have kind of a unique look- shaved head, big beard, curly moustache, and kind of an interesting sense of style, so I get a lot of looks (and, not for nothing, compliments.)
The other day I was dressed up a bit and on my way to meet up with my wife to have a nice dinner. I was wearing a linen suit and panama hat, so definitely dressed a good bit spiffier than most people on the street.
As I was walking down the sidewalk on my way to this restaurant, this little girls' eyes just kind of lock onto me like I was the most interesting thing she'd ever seen, and she just kind of starts wandering towards me, and walks directly into my path. If I'd been distracted on my phone or something I might have tripped over her.
She wasn't quite a toddler, but not much older.
I didn't mind it at all, I don't really like kids, it was kind of funny, maybe even a bit flattering, but i could definitely see it getting old for people getting that kind of attention for things they're not in control or proud of.
21 Comments
DeepDown@leminal.space · 90 pts · 38d
That's adults. Toddlers just stare at everyone.
PotatoPie@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 38d
I think this is just wrong, if there's something different about you toddlers will tell and they'll try rationalize why and how you're different 😠they're brutal and they have insane stare down skills
Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works · 63 pts · 38d
Imagine being a toddler. Everything is new to you, including every person who's not your family. Of course you stare, to take in as much information as possible. You're not ready to judge, but you're creating categories to help sort all that information. And you're ripe to be influenced.
This is why it's worth engaging with the toddler if possible. Your short conversation in this teachable moment can be the foundation of countless improved interactions that person has, with disabled people, and in talking with others about people with disabilities, and other differences, during their lifetime. They could even grow up to be a person who creates laws that affect you and your friends.
Humanius@lemmy.world · 25 pts · 38d
The first time I saw a black person as a kid, I was staring.. as young kids do.. The guy notices and engages by showing the palms of his hands and saying something along along the lines of "Look. Not all of my skin is black."
Apparently that scared the crap out of young me
My mom still likes to tell that story sometimes
blargh513@sh.itjust.works · 19 pts · 38d
I used to do something like that. Instead of talking to them, I would just lean over and belch the word "HELLO!" real loud at them. They would often run away crying, but I felt like there was real value in our interaction.
DamienGramatacus@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 38d
Username checks out
Demdaru@lemmy.world · 59 pts · 39d
You are being studied. Do not resist.
CaptainPedantic@lemmy.world · 48 pts · 38d
"Mommy, why does that kid have a huge head?" -- Me as a toddler pointing to a baby in a grocery store.
My mom scolded me and left embarrassed. As an adult, she told me that the kid did have an enormous head.
sznowicki@lemmy.world · 32 pts · 38d
My father while we were passing a kid with enormous head.
frosch@sh.itjust.works · 16 pts · 38d
Oh god, imagining this line being delivered in the most dry way possible really cracked me up
sznowicki@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 38d
And it was both funny and kind of true. With that big head being a kid it must be terrible with other kids playing jokes on you.
Kenny2999@lemmy.world · 27 pts · 38d
Toddlers like to stare at my bald head. So one time I turned around and smiled back and the little guy immediately starts crying. Bad.
Turns out I had the worst iritis ever (its kinda like pink eye but worse), looked like a zombie and probably traumatized the poor bugger for life.
ignotum@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 38d
Ah so that's how people get peladophobia
Grail@multiverse.soulism.net · 3 pts · 38d
One time I was at a cafe getting lunch, and I saw an old man's skull. He wasn't just bald, he had his skull showing. It was the colour of bone with a red ring of flesh around the hole. And he was sitting and having a coffee with his friends.
modus@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 38d
You should tattoo a new face on the back of your head and start over. Keep the toddlers happy.
N0t_5ure@lemmy.world · 21 pts · 39d
I thought they stared at me because I'm good looking!
Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 38d
You are! But toddlers stare at everything bc everything is new to them and they are just beginning the "making categories" stage
pnwpixel@programming.dev · 8 pts · 38d
Fondots@lemmy.world · 15 pts · 38d
I'm not disabled, at least not visibly, there might be a bit of neurospiciness going on in the background, but I do have kind of a unique look- shaved head, big beard, curly moustache, and kind of an interesting sense of style, so I get a lot of looks (and, not for nothing, compliments.)
The other day I was dressed up a bit and on my way to meet up with my wife to have a nice dinner. I was wearing a linen suit and panama hat, so definitely dressed a good bit spiffier than most people on the street.
As I was walking down the sidewalk on my way to this restaurant, this little girls' eyes just kind of lock onto me like I was the most interesting thing she'd ever seen, and she just kind of starts wandering towards me, and walks directly into my path. If I'd been distracted on my phone or something I might have tripped over her.
She wasn't quite a toddler, but not much older.
I didn't mind it at all, I don't really like kids, it was kind of funny, maybe even a bit flattering, but i could definitely see it getting old for people getting that kind of attention for things they're not in control or proud of.
LouNeko@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 38d
What's going on little bud, got a starring problem, pal?
FLP22012005@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 38d
If I am to believe some older posts, this cat is in 'murder mode'. Not cool kitty.
webp@mander.xyz · 1 pts · 38d