You know, McCobbre, I think I'd find [i]lunch[/i] with you too appealing, and I'd overlook the ice chewing, if you wouldn't mind the fact I drag the fork over my front teeth when taking a bite.

OMG. You've got me pegged, and you knew exactly what would make me scream.
[img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/wink.gif[/img]
Who needs to pick on people for eating peanuts in public when there are so many choices on the menu distasteful behaviors?

I would speak up ONLY if it directly affected my DD's safety in any way and/or if I was unable to move from their vicinity (such as with the train ride).
While I think there are lots of behaviors I find revolting and innappropriate in public - I don't feel responsible (or warranted) in changing a complete strangers actions because I don't like them. Especially a person that I'm going to walk away from in just a moment.
My responsibility is to my daughter and as strongly as I feel about her safety and food allergies in general - I don't feel it gives me the right to correct someone who is enjoying what is a safe snack for themselves. Even if they are eating it in a place I find innappropriate.
Just my two cents.

[b]if you wouldn't mind the fact I drag the fork over my front teeth when taking a bite. [/b]
That made me cringe just reading it.

I'm so happy to read your comments. I've often wondered what I'd do and one day at a college football game where we had taken our kids, a couple of people behind us opened a bag and started eating shelled peanuts. We noticed right away and as the panic built up inside me about what to do and keeping his jacket and our things away from the potential exposure, my son couldn't take his eyes off them. He nudged me and said "mom look" with his face turning red from what I think was also rising panic. The people noticed him and asked us; we explained and they, very understanding and politely put it away until the end of the game. We continued discussion and they were very happy to be more aware, while we were relieved they were so understanding. I learned from my son that day that we can't be afraid of what people think -- no matter what, we need to protect our pa kids!

In the original situation, at Target (oe whatever store), I wouldnt have said a darn thing and just kept moving.
In a supermarket? Ditto.
At a baseball game? Maybe moved.
On the street, walking? C'mon... I'd either move sides, or speed up/slow down.
People can eat whatever they want, generally, wherever they want.
Jason
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[b]* Obsessed * [/b]

But we can't stop people from doing things that are not dangerous to THEM. Before my kids had PA, I had never heard of it. NEVER HEARD. I have the usual pollen allergies and am sensitive to melons and cherries. I'm an educated and sensitive person. But I had no idea that people can be so severely allergic to peanuts -- that it could kill them.
So of course people are going to go around carelessly eating peanuts in public places. Because it NEVER OCCURS TO THEM that their tasty snack is someone else's fatal poison.
If the situation warrants it, I move my kids away from the offender. On something closed up, like an airplane flight, I politely explain about the allergy to someone who may be sitting very close to my girls. Other than that, I just avoid talking to people about it.
The reason I avoid talking about it is that I tend to get really angry and defensive. And depending on my mood, I can be VERY confrontational. This usually puts me in a really bad mood which I have trouble getting out of (I blame pre-menopause hormones for that, LOL). So I try to remain calm and not mess up my day by having confrontations. If my kids' safety is in danger, of course I step in and take action.
There aren't enough people in the world with PA for this to become a hyper-aware situation for other people. This isn't AIDS. THEIR lives are not in danger, so it isn't an issue for them.
We are fighting both ignorance and insensitivity.
I don't have to tell you guys....when you talk to someone, you hope that they will be sensitive and understanding once you inform them about the severity of the situation.
I guess my problem is....if the person were a jerk and didn't comply with my request, I would start getting really verbally abusive with them. I know that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar, but I guess after dealing with this for 13 years, I have very little patience regarding this subject.
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Two daughters, ages 10 and 13 who are allergic to peanuts, soy, all legumes, most tree nuts, and a few antibiotics.

Today at library storytime, a mom and her barely 12mos old child sat down at the same round table as me. She opened a pack of skittles and a pack of peanuts and poured them on the table for this small child to snack on. Aside from the choking factor (which he did do btw, spitting peanuts out all over the floor), I really wanted to ask her to please put them away. There are signs posted on all the doors stating no food or drink. Thank goodness my PA dd was not with us but she (or some other PA child) could have very well sat at this table once they left unknowingly.
Storytime ended and she left w/o me saying a word. I wiped the table down w/ Lysol wipes and went about my business. I can't shake the feeling that I should have said something.

Quote:Originally posted by krc:
[b] I can't shake the feeling that I should have said something. [/b]
[b] [i] Disclaimer: This message is 100% my personal opinion. [/b] [/i]
You can't say anything *now* to this parent.
BUT you CAN say something (in writing) to the library about NOT allowing food of any kind to be eaten, for all the obvious reasons: health, cleanliness, allergy awareness, library liability, etc.
Food has no place in a library. Period.
But we already knew I'd feel this way! (Reference previous commentary . . . ) [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]
~Elizabeth
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~Eli[b]Z[/b]abeth,
Mother to 2:
DD age 5, NKA, treated as though PA/TNA
DS age 8, PA, possible TNA
(PA diagnosed & ana reaction 1999)
Member here since 2000

i agree with elizabeth 100%. this is the perfect opportunity to speak with the staff at the library and remind them why it's important to enforce this rule.
i've been in your shoes before and said nothing because i was uncomfortable. this was years ago. now that i've been dealing with PA so many years (over 10), i usually just say what i have to say (politely of course) OR i give my girl instructions to get up and move or leave in a loud enough tone that the person(s) involved can hear what i'm saying and understand why we are having to move. more often than not, people apologize profusely and are extremely nice about it. i find it's good to educate people when i can and getting up without saying anything wouldn't serve that purpose.
most people aren't doing it because they are inconsiderate but because they simply don't know. you'll find the occasional jerk who doesn't care at all, even after finding out your child has a serious problem with the food they're dragging into an area clearly marked with "no food/no drinks" signs but i can't remember the last time i ran into someone like that.