weird or not weird?

[HouseofWool]

I would mention it to the manager, in a totally non-confrontational manner. Something along the lines of, "I am really impressed with how friendly your staff is, but I have to admit that it makes me very uncomfortable when so-and-so hugs my child."

[Pollyanna]

Go to a different grocery store . Is it weird, yes but I am not sure that I would be too freaked out about it providing she doesn't try to take your child. The clerks are super friendly to our children at our grocery store so maybe I'm used to it.

[MarissaNicole]

Wierd, yes. I still question whether she is mentally disabled to some degree. We have a close family friend that has an adult son with special needs. It is hard for her son as most people don't realize his differences and therefore have different expectations. In most circumstances its hard to spot with him.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Have you witnessed her hug other children or is it just A? I would put a stop to it before #2 comes along. How long has it been going on? I would say something to the clerk along the lines of what Kris suggested. Beyond bizarre and borderline grooming in my opinion. Any reasonable adult asks parental permission before engaging a stranger's child.

[ladymoreta]

I hate to sound disrespectful, but mentally disabled or not, she really shouldn't be coming into close physical contact with young children without washing her hands. If she doesn't take a subtle hint, it's time to talk to the manager.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

I hate to sound disrespectful, but mentally disabled or not, she really shouldn't be coming into close physical contact with young children without washing her hands. If she doesn't take a subtle hint, it's time to talk to the manager.

Agreed!

[TigerLily]

I am so not a hugger either. Sometimes I even feel bad for A when my husband asks her to hug his extended family members because she doesn't really know them that well. But that is my own personally weirdness. My family doesn't really hug.
Anyway, I guess I don't know FOR SURE if she has any mental disabilities or not, but she seems at least like she is of average intelligence. She gave me a recipe for triple cheese and bacon macaroni the other day that almost made me vomit just reading it...but that is beside the point.
I haven't seen her hug any other children. Just A. And this is not a small store either! It is a gigantic Kroger. She will literally track us down in the store to hug her and then do it again when we're leaving. It actually kind of makes me dread grocery shopping a little bit. partly because I just like to get it done without chit chatting with strangers, and also because I feel weird smiling at A while she looks at me like "why is this woman hugging me mommy?"
I am so non confrontational when I think someone's feelings might be hurt. I won't hesitate to tell someone how I feel if they are being stupid or bitchy. But I think this woman is really in love with my child.
I think i might just switch to Marsh. I was also already considering peapod for when the new baby is born because I can't imagine shopping with both of them. Maybe I"ll just do that now.

[MrsK]

I'd talk to the store manager and I wouldn't wven worry about hurting the cashier's feelings. If she is stalking you in the store and making you uncomfortable shopping there, the manager should know.

[v-girl]

I'd talk to the store manager and I wouldn't even worry about hurting the cashier's feelings. If she is stalking you in the store and making you uncomfortable shopping there, the manager should know.

I agree.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

The additional information adds a whole new level of weirdness - talk to the manager ASAP!! What she is doing is beyond inappropriate!

[corn poffi]

SHE FOLLOWS YOU AROUND THE STORE?!?!?!

So I'm totally a small-town girl who is used to weird things like over-friendly cashiers, so until you provided that information, I admit I didn't find it that weird.

But holy crap, that is beyond weird! Talk to the manager or find another place to shop as soon as you can! I'd actually do both. I'd tell the manager because if it's a big store, chances are she's probably done it with other children and that's just creepy and wrong. I'd also switch stores to avoid any further contact with her. Just because I'd feel bad about seeing her again, and there is a chance she might not be all there, so it could be something that she doesn't understand is wrong. But that's just me.

[SoonerTexan]

That is very weird.

[Michele]

I think it's crazy weird. I would switch stores. No way would I continue letting her touch my child. It's creepy sounding. I get the whole South-friendly-touchiness, but it sounds beyond that to me.

[diggitydot]

We used to live in a very small town where I was related to damn near everyone and NEVER had anything even remotely like this happen. Her behavior is setting off all sorts of weirdo red flags for me.

Call the manager and calmly tell him or her that this clerks behavior, while probably well-intentioned, is making your child (and you) uncomfortable enough to begin shopping at one of their competitors, even though you prefer the manager's store. You may not be the only person she's doing this to, just the only one she does it to while you're in the store. The management needs to know about this.

We used to live in a very small town where I was related to damn near everyone and NEVER had anything even remotely like this happen. Her behavior is setting off all sorts of weirdo red flags for me.

Call the manager and calmly tell him or her that this clerks behavior, while probably well-intentioned, is making your child (and you) uncomfortable enough to begin shopping at one of their competitors, even though you prefer the manager's store. You may not be the only person she's doing this to, just the only one she does it to while you're in the store. The management needs to know about this.

I agree. Even though I immediately thought of a person w/reduced mental facilities, following you around the store is just ... weird. I like how Wendy has suggested phrasing it.