It takes a lot of presence of mind not to just react and say the first thing that pops into your head. I think this would have to be one of the hardest parts of parenting because you are trying to override an impulse in a high pressure situation. I don't think you are judging mbear - far from it. I completely understand where you are coming from. I've seen so many parents at the end of their rope with kids in public. It's never a good situation.