Halloween postscript: blowing the minds of the very young

[sistawendy]

We had a Halloween party at work yesterday afternoon, with at least 90% costume participation, to which people brought their children. One little girl of about seven or eight looked at me gravely and said, "You're a boy."
"I used to be," I said.
The little girl stared wide-eyed.
"Seriously. Not anymore."
The little girl wandered off, maybe to ponder that, maybe to freak out a little.

Comments

[parityanimal.livejournal.com]

Well, that should result in an interesting conversation with her parent(s)...aren't kids just awesome? I think you handled that beautifully!

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

Thanks. There was probably a time when I wouldn't have handled that so well. Behold the power of experience. And of being out.

[mahariel.livejournal.com]

This makes me grin from ear to ear.

[savannarama.livejournal.com]

I think that was the perfect thing to say. :) Calm, educational, and no reward for any intentional rudeness while allowing that--at a Halloween party--she may have thought she was talking to someone in an unusually good costume.

[xaotica.livejournal.com]

Even though I usually feel anxious and nervous around kids, I still often appreciate their communication style. Adults stare at things they don't understand and say nothing... or pretend they don't notice and then talk about them later. Kids walk right up to you and say "Why do you look like x?" to your face.