A few years ago, we ate at a nice restaurant (Othello’s in Edmond, OK) with two other families. We dined at the large table in the center of the room with the children all at one end so we could maximize the disturbance.
Midway through our meal, our friend’s three year old stood up in his seat to dance a little jig. His parents asked him to sit down. Instead, he pulled his pants down…and back up…and back down, and repeatedly mooned the tables behind us.
Naturally, we laughed and attempted to hide our laughter as his parents scrambled to cease this unexpected game of bare bottom peek-a-boo. Within seconds, our three year old friend was whisked away for intense instruction in proper restaurant etiquette.
The approval of laughter clashed with the disapproval of furrowed brows and pointing fingers. This poor child had received mixed messages from the group.
What messages are you sending to your spouse, children, co-workers, or neighbors? Give this some thought and determine to become as consistent as possible.
Worth Repeating
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.
–George Barnard Shaw
