PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on May 12, 2018 15:38:15 GMT
I drop my kids off at school, and head to Walmart. It's 9 am on a Tuesday. You walk in through up to the front doors and smell something foul, something in the air. You approach the door employee because you're making a return, and comment that wow, it stinks outside today. You look over and see a woman with 4 kids all of various ages (maybe 4-10) in cowboy boots who walked in right before you, and the kids just stare at you.
You make your way through the store, and then you smell it again. It's not outside...it's inside. It's the kids. The two oldest see me, make eye contact, and stare at me whispering to each other. They must know my unknowing comment about the outside air was about them. I end up having to pass them, and it smells so, so bad. Like urine and feces, and a touch of something rotten.
I finish my shopping, and end up in line with my cart when I smell them again, a lane or so over. I look at the kids and they look normal, and are wearing clean-looking clothes. Nothing out of the ordinary other than the smell.
So what would you do?
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Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,969
Location: NW PA
Jun 25, 2014 23:50:38 GMT
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Post by Judy26 on May 12, 2018 15:46:53 GMT
What can you do other than graciously take small breaths into your sleeve? I feel badly for those poor children. I wouldn’t do anything to make them feel more conspicuous than they already do.
ETA - The cowboy boot comment makes me wonder if they live on a working farm. If their boots weren’t clean that might answer the odor question.
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Post by mom on May 12, 2018 15:49:26 GMT
What would I do? Absolutely nothing. I would check out, and go along with my day.
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Post by pierkiss on May 12, 2018 15:49:41 GMT
I’m not sure what could be done? You could call CPS, but what are you going to tell them? There were some smelly kids in Walmart and you think they might be being neglected? Ok, but how is CPS to find them? You don’t know their name or address. I guess if you really wanted to you could stalk them in the parking lot to see if you could grab their plate number.
It could be that perhaps they have some kind of awful stomach bug running rampant through their house. Maybe mom (or whoever) just really desperately needed to get to the store to pick up food and meds, and it meant taking her sick kids with her. I can easily see how this could happen.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,451
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on May 12, 2018 15:49:45 GMT
I wouldn't do anything.
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Post by mom on May 12, 2018 15:50:30 GMT
What can you do other than graciously take small breaths into your sleeve? I feel badly for those poor children. I wouldn’t do anything to make them feel more conspicuous than they already do. ETA - The cowboy boot comment makes me wonder if they live on a working farm. If their boots weren’t clean that might answer the odor question.In my area this would be a very common occurrence. And no one would think twice about it.
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Post by SockMonkey on May 12, 2018 15:51:19 GMT
I don't know.
Something about this family is triggering your spidey senses, but you don't have a lot of capacity to do anything about it. I am hoping it's just a stink and nothing awful like neglect, abuse, trafficking.
I would be conflicted, too.
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Post by mom on May 12, 2018 15:51:42 GMT
I drop my kids off at school, and head to Walmart. It's 9 am on a Tuesday. You walk in through up to the front doors and smell something foul, something in the air. You approach the door employee because you're making a return, and comment that wow, it stinks outside today. You look over and see a woman with 4 kids all of various ages (maybe 4-10) in cowboy boots who walked in right before you, and the kids just stare at you. You make your way through the store, and then you smell it again. It's not outside...it's inside. It's the kids. The two oldest see me, make eye contact, and stare at me whispering to each other. They must know my unknowing comment about the outside air was about them. I end up having to pass them, and it smells so, so bad. Like urine and feces, and a touch of something rotten. I finish my shopping, and end up in line with my cart when I smell them again, a lane or so over. I look at the kids and they look normal, and are wearing clean-looking clothes. Nothing out of the ordinary other than the smell. So what would you do?What are you thinking your options were?
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Post by SockMonkey on May 12, 2018 15:52:13 GMT
What can you do other than graciously take small breaths into your sleeve? I feel badly for those poor children. I wouldn’t do anything to make them feel more conspicuous than they already do. ETA - The cowboy boot comment makes me wonder if they live on a working farm. If their boots weren’t clean that might answer the odor question.In my area this would be a very common occurrence. And no one would think twice about it. My husband's relatives have a farm, and we've been. I think there's definitely a difference between "working farm" smell and human urine & feces smell. Huge difference.
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Post by gar on May 12, 2018 15:56:34 GMT
Nothing.
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Post by mom on May 12, 2018 16:00:12 GMT
In my area this would be a very common occurrence. And no one would think twice about it. My husband's relatives have a farm, and we've been. I think there's definitely a difference between "working farm" smell and human urine & feces smell. Huge difference. She never said human urine and feces. She said feces and urine with something else. I know all about ranch life. I was raised on the middle of a working ranch - horses, cows, etc. Spring is branding and calving season). Feedlots with thousands of cows are also common here.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 1:25:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2018 16:19:24 GMT
I'd likely do nothing if there were no other issues other than the smell. Being that it's a school day and all were in boots, I'd assume they were home schooled and live/work on a farm. Are there any farms nearby?
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scrapngranny
Pearl Clutcher
Only slightly senile
Posts: 4,821
Jun 25, 2014 23:21:30 GMT
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Post by scrapngranny on May 12, 2018 16:24:36 GMT
In my mind there is nothing you could or should do.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 1:25:54 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2018 16:29:15 GMT
Gag a bit then go on with my day! Sadly some people lack hygiene.
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Post by mustlovecats on May 12, 2018 16:36:54 GMT
Maybe the septic backed up and the smell got in their shoes and they were there to replace them.
Maybe they work on a farm.
Maybe one of them is incontinent due to invisible disability.
I’m a mandated reporter and with this info alone I would not have cause to report. It’s not enough evidence of a problem.
I also wouldn’t stick my face in my sleeve and pant as someone suggested - that makes a scene. I wouldn’t say another word, I wouldn’t try to backpedal, I would just say oops to myself because I probably embarrassed someone, and go on about my day.
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Post by papersilly on May 12, 2018 16:44:48 GMT
I don't think there is much you can do. The clean clothes are probably worn especially for public outings but there is probably not much cleanliness once they are at home.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on May 12, 2018 16:51:16 GMT
I don't think there is much you can do. The clean clothes are probably worn especially for public outings but there is probably not much cleanliness once they are at home. wow... I'd hate to know what people might be assuming about me if I run to WalMart in the middle of a gardening project when I look awful, have dirt smudges all over my face and clothes, wearing really ratty clothes, and my hair is a mess! to the OP- there's nothing you can, or should do. other than feel embarrassed that you might have insulted them inadvertently.
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,691
Location: Ohio
Jul 5, 2014 1:53:49 GMT
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Post by StephDRebel on May 12, 2018 16:56:02 GMT
I say "have a great day"
farm kids stink sometimes. It's not always pretty work, but it's important.
They likely just left the barn.
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PrettyInPeank
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,691
Jun 25, 2014 21:31:58 GMT
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Post by PrettyInPeank on May 12, 2018 16:56:12 GMT
If anyone is wondering, I didn't do anything. But something didn't feel right I must admit. Especially how the kids kept looking at me and staring and whispering.
I think back to the recent California kids were only allowed to shower once a year. The stories that make the news where kids are abducted, abused, shackled to beds in their own excrement, and many are discovered because they acted odd in public and someone called or managed to escape.
I just wondered if by letting it go, I did the right thing, ya know?
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Post by drummergirl65 on May 12, 2018 17:06:34 GMT
If anyone is wondering, I didn't do anything. But something didn't feel right I must admit. Especially how the kids kept looking at me and staring and whispering. I think back to the recent California kids were only allowed to shower once a year. The stories that make the news where kids are abducted, abused, shackled to beds in their own excrement, and many are discovered because they acted odd in public and someone called or managed to escape. I just wondered if by letting it go, I did the right thing, ya know? Actually this is what came to my mind as well. But is there anything you could do? No but it was probably more than just the smell that triggered your suspicions. Hopefully all is well in their world
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eleezybeth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,784
Jun 28, 2014 20:42:01 GMT
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Post by eleezybeth on May 12, 2018 17:29:20 GMT
I have a friend whose family just stinks. As in, I really try to limit my time with them. They have 4 ferrets. It is by far the worst ever to me. I can smell them at volleyball practice before I see them bad. I don’t say anything. They know it.
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Post by Lexica on May 12, 2018 18:09:46 GMT
I imagine that the people around those Turpin kids must have had the same thoughts. Their hygiene was commented upon in one of the articles that I read. Apparently, they were only allowed to bathe/shower once a year and were not to wash their hands above the wrists. I remember how stinky my son became, from both feet and body odor in general, when he hit the early teens, and he bathed every day! His feet were so bad that foot sprays were not enough to mitigate the smell. I had to make him keep his shoes in the garage so they didn't stink up the entire house. I could immediately tell when I came home if he had left his shoes in his room. And I would guess 90% of the shoe odor was because he refused to wear socks with them. Socks weren't weren't cool. Sweaty feet in leather is just obnoxious. Although, even his flip flops stunk. He eventually grew out of that stinky stage when his hormones calmed down.
I am guessing in your situation that something was not right with this family since they let their hygiene go to the point you could detect them several feet away from you. Surely people must have commented to them at some point? Although, if I were in your shoes, I don't know if I would have said anything directly to them. It would certainly be rude and not your business, but it could save them from a horrible situation like the Turpin kids. Were they talking to each other and the mother and acting normal?
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
Jun 25, 2014 21:53:42 GMT
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on May 12, 2018 18:35:32 GMT
Nothing. Go about my business and leave...
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AnotherPea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,969
Jan 4, 2015 1:47:52 GMT
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Post by AnotherPea on May 12, 2018 18:59:39 GMT
I'd also do nothing. Other than smelly badly, was there any other things to cause concern?
On another message board in cyberland a woman is telling the tale about that lady that made her kids feel bad about how they smelled during a quick trip to Walmart....
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Post by peasapie on May 12, 2018 19:11:47 GMT
I can see that you were maybe thinking they seemed like kids who were neglected and might need help, and perhaps you felt a little conflicted about doing nothing. However, I don't think there is anything you could have done unless one of them indicated help was needed. Not sure why they were looking at you and whispering, though, unless they just whisper about everything.
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Post by papersilly on May 12, 2018 19:24:23 GMT
I don't think there is much you can do. The clean clothes are probably worn especially for public outings but there is probably not much cleanliness once they are at home. wow... I'd hate to know what people might be assuming about me if I run to WalMart in the middle of a gardening project when I look awful, have dirt smudges all over my face and clothes, wearing really ratty clothes, and my hair is a mess! to the OP- there's nothing you can, or should do. other than feel embarrassed that you might have insulted them inadvertently. Lol. I'm the opposite. No matter how I'm dressed at home, I "dress up" if I'm going out, even to run a quick errand. That's just how we were raised. There were clothes for everything---church, school, play, errands, home, sleep, etc. I think my mom felt it was a reflection on her if her kids went out looking disheveled or inappropriate for the place or event. I guess it just stayed with me through adulthood. Some women don't go out without their face on. me, it's the clothes.
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Post by birukitty on May 12, 2018 20:59:13 GMT
wow... I'd hate to know what people might be assuming about me if I run to WalMart in the middle of a gardening project when I look awful, have dirt smudges all over my face and clothes, wearing really ratty clothes, and my hair is a mess! to the OP- there's nothing you can, or should do. other than feel embarrassed that you might have insulted them inadvertently. Lol. I'm the opposite. No matter how I'm dressed at home, I "dress up" if I'm going out, even to run a quick errand. That's just how we were raised. There were clothes for everything---church, school, play, errands, home, sleep, etc. I think my mom felt it was a reflection on her if her kids went out looking disheveled or inappropriate for the place or event. I guess it just stayed with me through adulthood. Some women don't go out without their face on. me, it's the clothes. This is me too. I have clothes I wear at home and clothes I change into when I leave the house. I was born in 1960 and raised by a German mother. I think this was part of it.
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Post by leftturnonly on May 12, 2018 21:04:19 GMT
What can you do other than graciously take small breaths into your sleeve? I feel badly for those poor children. I wouldn’t do anything to make them feel more conspicuous than they already do. ETA - The cowboy boot comment makes me wonder if they live on a working farm. If their boots weren’t clean that might answer the odor question. I wonder that, too. The absolute worst smelling people I have ever smelled in Walmart were those who had been fishing and just came in for more bait.
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Post by melanell on May 12, 2018 21:06:36 GMT
If anyone is wondering, I didn't do anything. But something didn't feel right I must admit. Especially how the kids kept looking at me and staring and whispering. They could have simply been whispering about you because they heard you and thought you had been rude.
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Post by birukitty on May 12, 2018 21:11:00 GMT
OP I understand what a situation you were in. You felt for these children but didn't know what you should do. I think I would have waited until they came out of the store, had gotten into their car and written down their license plate number. I would have then called CPS or even the police from my car to report it. Look, neglect is a situation that I'm pretty sure is looked into. Being that filthy is neglect. Even if it turned out to be absolutely nothing at least it would have been looked into. Who knows? Maybe the kids were kidnapped or trafficked. You just never know. And in my eyes it is always best to be safe than sorry. Something triggered your gut, right?
Those kids have only us to keep them safe (had they been in danger). And they would be much too scared and conditioned to reach out to the public for help.
A phone call and letting the authorities check it out would I think be the best course of action. Probably they were just neglected, but even should be helped. Maybe the Mom didn't know about the resources she has available to her for help. Children should not have to live filthy like that.
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