Tales of the Co-op, Part 1

Yesterday at the Park Slope Food Co-op, a mother leaned down and asked her 3-year old daughter in a sing-songy voice, "Should we get some frozen berries?" The point of this question seemed to be 1.) to experience the pride of hearing this precocious 3-year old repeat back: "yes, fwozen beh-weez!" and 2.) perhaps to reassure herself that she is not the matriarch of a housekingdom, but rather the facilitator of a democracy in which 3-year olds cast a vote equal in value to that of the 40-year olds. Or perhaps it was 3.) to fit in with the rest of the parents at the store who seem to constantly be kissing up to their offspring.

But in any case, the question did not seem to be genuine in nature. That is, the child's opinion on the topic of frozen berries was besides the point. And that, my sweet blueberry, is the kiss of condescension.