Okay - here's the scene.
The Phenom and I indulged in a sporting spectacle last night. It was held at a public venue that prohibits the holding up of banners, signs, etc.
We were sitting in prime seats, and enjoying the game. Two rows ahead of me was a young boy, about 10 years old who kept hoisting up one of those collegiate triangle shaped banners -- trying, no doubt, to be filmed by a camera guy and make it to the telecast or the jumbo-tron. Although I found this annoying when it blocked my view of the court, I said nothing because the opposing team was playing on that end of the court. After halftime, when the team I was cheering for was on the end of the court being blocked from view, I tapped the kid on the arm and explained that he was blocking my view.
From that moment on, the kid sulked and pouted. The older guy behind him and his grandmother next to him tried to show him how he could hold it up and not obstruct the view of the people around him - which didn't end the poutfest. Finally, the grandmother got up and ushered the kid out of the venue.
I feel bad, on one hand, because I didn't want the kid to leave, just stop obstructing my view. I'm also feeling totally justified because I paid the same amount to see the game as this kid, and had the right to enjoy the game without my view obstructed in a way that was avoidable, and the venue does have specific rules against such behavior and even has large trash cans at the front doors where they require folks to deposit any banners or posters. And, I'm feeling a bit annoyed that the kid pouted to the point where he and his adult handler had to leave. I think it would be the last ball game I wasted money on for that kid, if he were mine.
I know, I don't have children, and thus it is unfair of me to judge other's parenting -- but, the kid was old enough to enjoy the game without interfering with the enjoyment of others. If he had been little and squirmy, I wouldn't have said anything.
Humans are so hard to understand sometimes.
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