Should Norms of Social Behavior be Enforced?

[skb12172]

If that happened while I was dining at a restaurant, or fast food joint, I would get up and leave. And I would tell management why I was leaving, in a louder than normal voice. I wouldn't shout, but as I am normally a bit soft spoken, I would raise my voice sufficiently so as to be heard 2-3 tables away.

That is completely unacceptable and the so-called adult mama needs to understand that others don't want to admire her little darlin's poop.

Whether I would pay or not would depend on how much food I had eaten, or how much I had to take out.

I would have not paid. In fact, I would have insisted on a voucher for a free meal at some point in the future. Frankly, I think this lady should have paid for everyone's meal in that restaurant.

[Jered]

Part of the problem with modern day society is that people aren't shunned for doing things like this.

[Termite]

Part of the problem with modern day society is that people aren't shunned for doing things like this.

Or refusing to work when able-bodied, or deliberately being a single mom on the dole, or...............

[arctictom]

as one citizan to another yes , having .gov involved not uness someones life is in danger.

[Kommander]

Why weren't they kicked out? Seems like an easy solution.

[MarkD]

Little kids taking their clothes off... At a certain age, and a certain temperature, I can see it happening - it shouldn't be tolerated, but, esp. in certain settings - like taking off clothes to go play in a fountain, etc... meh...

reliving yourself, though... No, that's revolting, and unhygenic...

Yeah, I get that, little kids naked in a pool or something, fine. Running around playing in someone's house/yard, not so much.

As for Chris' question on the definition of "enforced", like others I see no reason for the government to be involved. Patrons have every right to report such behavior to the management, and the management has every right to insist that the offending party stop what they're doing or leave. Just like the woman in my example above who was no longer welcome at our hostess' home. She, of course, acted like the aggrieved party, as if the hostess had done something wrong by insisting that her children not crap on the lawn or piss on the deck.

[Jered]

Little kids taking their clothes off... At a certain age, and a certain temperature, I can see it happening - it shouldn't be tolerated, but, esp. in certain settings - like taking off clothes to go play in a fountain, etc... meh...

reliving yourself, though... No, that's revolting, and unhygenic...

Yeah, I get that, little kids naked in a pool or something, fine. Running around playing in someone's house/yard, not so much.

As for Chris' question on the definition of "enforced", like others I see no reason for the government to be involved. Patrons have every right to report such behavior to the management, and the management has every right to insist that the offending party stop what they're doing or leave. Just like the woman in my example above who was no longer welcome at our hostess' home. She, of course, acted like the aggrieved party, as if the hostess had done something wrong by insisting that her children not crap on the lawn or piss on the deck.

Civilization is a learned behavior, and she, evidently, has not learned it.

[Greg]

Should Norms of Social Behavior be Enforced?

In a word, YES.

Uhhh.... It very strongly depends on the definition of "enforced"

Indeed. For me the answer would also be a resounding "yes", but means of enforcement would strictly be application of social pressure by private individuals. Once you allow the gov't a role in that type of situation, all is (sooner or later, likely sooner unless you started off with a *very* robust culture) lost.

[Cybrludite]

I'd have gotten out my cell phone, and 411ed the State Restaurant Health Inspector in a very not-shy tone of voice.

[Yogimus]

I'd have gotten out my cell phone, and 411ed the State Restaurant Health Inspector in a very not-shy tone of voice.

Ah, yes. The threat of someone else's authority.

Would have been fun to walk up to the couple, request ID, and claim you are from "Family welfare" services. (they can't arrest you if you don't use a real organization)