Quoteyou thought I didn't really notice. But I did. I wanted to high-five you. Yesterday I had a pair of brothers in my store. One was maybe between 15-17. He was a wrestler at the local high school. Kind of tall, stocky and handsome. He had a younger brother, who was maybe about 10-12 years old. The only way to describe him was scrawny, neat, and very clean for a boy his age. They were talking about finding a game for the younger one, and he was absolutely insisting it be one with a female character. I don't know how many of y'all play games, but that isn't exactly easy.
Eventually, I helped the brothers pick a game called Mirror's Edge. The youngest was pretty excited about the game, and then he specifically asked me.. "Do you have any girl color controllers?" I directed him to the only colored controllers we have which includes pink and purple ones. He grabbed the purple one, and informed me purple was his FAVORITE. The boys had been taking awhile, so their father eventually comes in. He see's the game, and the controller, and starts in on the youngest about how he needs to pick something different. Something more manly. Something with guns and fighting, and certainly not a purple controller. He tries to convince him to get the new Zombie game "Dead Island." and the little boy just stands there repeating "Dad, this is what I want, ok?" Eventually it turns into a full blown argument complete with Dad threatening to whoop his son if he doesn't choose different items. That's when big brother stepped in. He said to his Dad "It's my money, it's my gift to him, if it's what he wants I'm getting it for him, and if your gonna hit anyone for it, it's going to be me." Dad just gives his oldest son a strong stern stare down, and then leaves the store.
Little brother is crying quietly, I walk over and ruffle his hair (yes this happened all in front of me.) I say "I'm a girl, and I like the color blue, and I like shooting games. There's nothing wrong with what you like. Even if it's different than what people think you should." I smile, he smiles back (my heart melts!) Big brother then leans down, kisses little brother on the head, and says "Don't worry dude." They check out and leave, and all I can think is how awesome big brother is, how sweet little brother is, and how Dad ought to be ashamed for trying to make his son any other way.
http://sweetupndown.tumblr.com/post/15242399360/dear-customer-who-stuck-up-for-his-little-brother (http://sweetupndown.tumblr.com/post/15242399360/dear-customer-who-stuck-up-for-his-little-brother)
That kid has an awesome brother.
I'm Facebooking this. That is so sweet it almost made me cry!
That story kicks ass :eusa_clap: Awesome older bro.
I saw this earlier on tumblr, great story. :)
Sweet story. In r/l I was the younger kid who got beat down by the brother. So it goes.
I shared this to FB too. I was the elder child once. So I'm proud of the brother in the story. ^_^
Thank you for sharing.
BTW, The little boy had good taste. I love Mirrors Edge! :D
This made me cry. I'm a wuss.
I don't think you're a wuss it's ok for guys to cry, just think of Old Yeller or Where the Red Fern Grows. Usually it has to do with dogs but that's not the only times. ;)
Crying is a beautiful thing. I always let my tears flow when they need to. :)
Contrary to what society would have you think, it is okay for guys to cry. And it's really funny to see guys play it off as "Something in my eye," or "It's just allergies." I mean why cant they just be honest with themselves?
Just go and see Titanic when it comes out again. there will be a ton of guys with "allergies" and stuff in their eyes. It was like that when it first came out too. :P
*hugs*
I confess, I cried a bit as well
Wow!!! ;D
I didn't cry because I'm not on hrt and my father beat crying out of me but
Wow!!!
Well damn Fionabell, He didn't beat you hard enough. Go back and tell him to beat you harder. I want to see so many tears your insurance dishes out cash because of flood damage!
Dont make me go crackpo...oooh! potato chips!
Just kidding. :P
Quote from: Keaira on January 04, 2012, 12:57:09 AM
Well damn Fionabell, He didn't beat you hard enough. Go back and tell him to beat you harder. I want to see so many tears your insurance dishes out cash because of flood damage!
Dont make me go crackpo...oooh! potato chips!
Just kidding. :P
lol . I know I'm a barrel of misery. I think you'll see me climb out of it this year. I was worse a couple of years ago.
It's the unfairness of it all!!!(Re: my personality descrip)
Thanks Keaira
Seriously I can't wait till I can cry again. ;D
Quote from: fionabell on January 04, 2012, 01:11:40 AM
lol . I know I'm a barrel of misery. I think you'll see me climb out of it this year. I was worse a couple of years ago.
It's the unfairness of it all!!!(Re: my personality descrip)
Thanks Keaira
Seriously I can't wait till I can cry again. ;D
*hugs*
I'm actually starting to worry about you. I hope that things get better for you. I'm here if you need to talk or vent or be sarcastic... :P
A fantastic story. Thank you for sharing it.
I only hope the father didn't do anything awful after.
Gender stereotyping set aside, that father seems really odd from my point of view -- encouraging playing a game with guns and fighting...?
I remember when I was around that younger kid's age, my father seemed reluctant to let me play Goldeneye 007.
Quote from: Arctic Kat on January 04, 2012, 02:18:41 AM
Gender stereotyping set aside, that father seems really odd from my point of view -- encouraging playing a game with guns and fighting...?
I remember when I was around that younger kid's age, my father seemed reluctant to let me play Goldeneye 007.
I don't know, I could see a dad doing that as a knee jerk reaction like "OH NOES my kid is turning into a little fairy quick get him something to kill to wash away the gay!"
Most good parents IMO wouldn't want such a young kid playing those games but when faced with something they don't understand like this it doesn't seem so odd. Of course I am not making excuses for him, I think he's an idiot, just saying it seems in character for a father of his obvious type.
Parents don't have to worry about all that. If a male likes girly or nice things, it doesn't even mean that he's fairy or trans.
It's not as though you need to be a big sword swinging leviathan to make a living in the world these days.
Sadly though a lot of parents are ignorant and jump to the wrong conclusions. People suck, what can ya do eh?
Quote from: Arctic Kat on January 04, 2012, 02:18:41 AM
Gender stereotyping set aside, that father seems really odd from my point of view -- encouraging playing a game with guns and fighting...?
I remember when I was around that younger kid's age, my father seemed reluctant to let me play Goldeneye 007.
Goldeneye was an amazing game despite the poor graphical ability of the N64. But it's gameplay was its strength. My parents didn't regulate what games I played.
Is it insecurity in the father that makes him do this?
I had a friend whose son put on nail polish and fairy costumes as he was growing up, he was just accepted as his son and no problems. He grew up to be a 'normal' heterosexual guy. Why punish a child for being a child.