A child jumping on the table of a restaurant in East Point Mall has sparked debate among netizens on what should be done during such circumstances.
“When you encounter this kind of behaviour in a restaurant, what do you do?” asked a Facebook page Complaint Singapore member on Saturday (July 23).
“My friend took this photo while having his meal at East Point Mall in Simei. This action of others’ table manners turned him off totally,” the netizen added.
The photo showed a child in the middle of a jump while barefoot on a table. A woman, presumably the child’s mother or guardian, sat beside her.
Netizens answered the question posted, saying they would inform the mother or guardian of the child’s behaviour.
“I will walk over and tell the mom nicely that that is a table for eating, and it’s unhygienic,” said Facebook user Eve Junie Chan.
One Haindah Bte Abdullah shared having seen non-local residents letting their children play freely on the road.
“I brought two young kids aged around 4-5 back to their parents who were sitting under the trees that night. I say mdm/sir your two kids are playing onto the road.”
Despite the kind stranger showing concern for the children’s safety, the parents said their kids knew what they were doing, and he didn’t have to interfere.
“Ok, that’s it. I try not to walk around that area around late night anymore cause my eyes are not ready to see any accident happening,” he added.
Meanwhile, one Shakeen Kaur noted that the child in the photo may have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) or autism, making it “hard for the parents to ‘control’ them.”
“I know people with children that have both ADHD and autism, and I assure you, they do not behave like that in public. They are the most well-behaved kids when given something to focus on. This is just a wayward child with neglectful parents. That is all,” responded netizen Nurul Arfina on Ms Kaur’s comment.
“My son is a special kid also, I teach him about manners and respect (towards) others,” said a parent.
“True, I do have cousin he is also special child, he knows how to behave,” added Facebook user Hirdaramani Rachna Gopi.
“Whatever the reason, the parents should be doing something or go somewhere else instead of creating a scene,” advised Facebook user George Li./TISG