At the Big Shops.

Every time I head into the suburbs to the ‘big shops’ (aka a big shopping centre/mall) I seem to come back with some story to blog about or some people watching event to ponder. It all seems to happen in the food court too…. ah the food court, such a melting pot of life.

So today The Small Boy and I wandered around a large shopping centre before heading to my Ob appointment this afternoon. We picked up a few bits and pieces that we needed and had an early lunch from the Empire of the Evil Clown (because if I can’t have raw fish then I am going for the worst of the worst junk food wise!).

So there we were, waiting quietly to one side for our order of Mc Junk. I was definitely not feeling smug about the healthy choices I was making for my almost three year old, not to mention myself or my unborn child so I wasn’t the least bit judgemental when a man came up to order with a young girl in a pram.

Normally the contents of someone else’s junk food order wouldn’t interest me enough to eaves drop… ahem… I mean people watch… But this guy had already drawn attention to himself by having a small altercation about who was in to be served, so when he pushed his way forward and loudly made his order I couldn’t help but notice.

“I’ll have a happy meal with a burger, fries and a latte”.

The young man serving behind the counter looked up from his button pressing with an odd look on his face. “You want a latte? With the happy meal?”

“Yes a latte… you have lattes? Or a small coffee.. with a straw”.

“Yes we have lattes. But the Happy Meal comes with soft drink… or juice… do you want that as well as the coffee?” The confused Mc Happy server enquired.

“No” reiterated the man “I want a happy meal with a latte.. can you do that?”

“Yes.. it will cost extra though”

“That’s fine.”

So now the ‘Latte Man’ and I stand side by side while we wait for our happy meals. I can’t help but wonder….

Surely he is giving the food to the little girl and having the coffee himself.

The little girl can’t be more than four years old…. no one gives coffee to a four year old. Do they?

Yes, of course that is what he’s going to do. He didn’t want to pay for a Happy Meal drink he wouldn’t use – I get that. I’ve even done that, ordered a Happy Meal with a coke for me because Muski drinks water and we often bring out own.

I was satisfied with my deduction as I picked up our order and began to look for a seat. The ‘Latte Man’s order came as well and I looked over just in time to see the little girl reach up excitedly and take the cup of coffee from the man! She took a huge gulp as he warned her it might be hot and fumbled for the straw… then she sucked down the rest in record speed before they’d even moved away from the counter.

I tried not to let my face show what I was thinking.
I tried not to judge…. really I did.
It’s none of my business really…
Heck I was downing a large frozen coke with my Mc Posion, talk about the pot calling the kettle black…. but still… I confess… I couldn’t help it.

So what do you think?
Latte’s for under fives ok? Not ok? Sometimes ok? I should just mind my own business?

Image from arepa182 via flickr