One particular incident continues to reverberate in my consciousness, compelling me to think about the societal norms and expectations around our relationship with children and animals. During a casual encounter, I found myself in the throes of an unexpected fallout that has led to intense introspection.
One day, during an otherwise ordinary encounter, I ran into a married couple with their pet dog and infant daughter. Captivated by their endearing canine, I enthusiastically poured out my affections towards the pooch, while momentarily neglecting to acknowledge their infant daughter. As I prepared to withdraw, wanting to allow them to resume their walk, I sensed an abrupt shift in their demeanor.
Turning from their adorable canine to bid farewell, I noticed the mother’s disapproving countenance. Seemingly irked, she expressed her discontent with my failure to lavish the same attention on her tiny newborn as her furry accomplice. Now, it’s imperative to understand that I harbor no resentment towards infants – or, in fact, any child. Like any human, children are, to me, fellow beings deserving of respect and acknowledgment.
However, I feel compelled to admit that children, babies included, don’t seem to elicit an immediate emotional response within me, as animals often do. It’s not as if I bear any animosity towards them; rather, I perceive them in the same manner as I would any stranger, irrespective of age. It’s just a difference in emotional response and personal preference.
This unsavory experience ended rather abruptly, with the husband subtly leading his fuming spouse away, leaving me standing amidst a flurry of muttered insults. This incident sparked a thought – was I in the wrong? Did this social faux pas render me ill-mannered?
