S/O Sick Children - nope don't want to hug them!

[PennyandPleased]

On Sunday my parents hosted a casual family get-together just for the heck of it.

My (stupid) aunt showed up with my 3 little cousins, all of which were ridiculously sick with flu/cold like symptoms! We were all really angry and disappointed in my Aunt for dragging the poor little kids out in public when they were so sick but that is not the point of this post...

My parents have a small, cozy, quiet TV room at the back of the house and my Mom got the kids comfortable in that room with blankets and hot chocolate, etc. They were so sick and never moved from that spot the whole party.

When my Aunt and the kids were heading out my Aunt says to my cousins: "Go give Cousin Penny a hug!!".

I didn't mean to but I gave my Aunt an "Are you serious?" look. She then asked me "what my problem was" and I said quietly, so the kids could not hear: "they are super sick, I don't want to hug them. I can't get sick I have too much going on at work right now". (All true, work is KILLING me this month and I have a lot of my plate personally as well.)

My Aunt was clearly offended that I didn't want to hug my cousins and told me to "grow up" but just ended up shuffeling the kids out the door. I honestly think the kids were way too dazed to notice anything. I did give them a very nice "hope you feel better, love you" good bye.

Was I rude for not wanting to hug 3 extremely ill children? Or should I have just given them all a quick hug and hoped for the best?

[Shoo]

No, of course you weren't rude for not wanting to hug them.  Your aunt put you on the spot, so your look of shock is probably what upset her.  Might have been better to just playfully put up your hands in the stop position and say, "Whoa there!  It was great seeing you kids but you're too germy for me to hug right now!  But it was so good to see you guys!"  And then ruffle their hair or something (then go wash your hands).  The more light hearted the better. 

[Outdoor Girl]

Wow, your Aunt was Captain Clueless, wasn't she?

You weren't rude.

[Zilla]

With all due respect, but are you kidding?  She was the rude one to bring the kids first off, and then rude again to insist they hug you and then even ruder to call you out on it.


Um no.  You were perfectly in the right and clear.

[bopper]

She was the rude one for bringing sick kids unannounced.
She is trying to transfer her guilt on to you...

[LeveeWoman]

Your aunt is a special snowflake whackaloon! Even if everyone were just honky dory with being exposed to those germs, what about the misery her kids had to endure?

[NyaChan]

You are absolutely in the clear, in fact I think you were very good to keep your voice quiet so that the kids would not be hurt.

[cattlekid]

You were not rude in the least and I POD the previous posters that said that Aunt was a SS for bringing them in the first place.

Personally, I would have beat feet out of there as soon as the germy kids showed up.  I live with a chronic illness that has compromised my immune system.  I can't be around sick people at all.  I would have apologized to my mom and dad and other guests and zipped out of there as soon as possible.

[Venus193]

Your aunt was beyond Special Snowflake for this one.

Of course you weren't rude.  Etiquette does not require you to compromise your health or safety.

[BeagleMommy]

Ugh.  Those poor kids.  You were not rude.  Aunt was wacky!

[Giggity]

Was I rude for not wanting to hug 3 extremely ill children?

Why would that be rude?

[heartmug]

Not rude at all!  And the way you handled it was just fine.

[Winterlight]

Ugh.  Those poor kids.  You were not rude.  Aunt was wacky!

This. Poor babies- I'd have been inclined to send her- and them- home. Being dragged out to a non-essential event when you're sick and miserable is no fun.

[cabbagegirl28]

Was I rude for not wanting to hug 3 extremely ill children?

Why would that be rude?

Some people might think it's mean to not hug a child because it's not their fault they're sick. Well, duh! That still doesn't mean I want to hug a kid who's A) sick and probably B) miserable. I'm a vocalist, and if someone had told me there were sick kids in the house, I would have got up and left. I am told to do everything in my power to avoid being sick by my teachers, and I don't blame anyone of any profession for wanting to not be around someone with a disease like the flu or a cold.

[CrochetFanatic]

I don't think you were rude.  Put on the spot, yes, but not rude.  It was rude of her to bring the kids, not to mention inconsiderate for all around, the kids especially.  We've had this kind of thing happen, too.  It's even worse when the parent just stands there, smiling beatifically while their kid (old enough to know better) coughs in your face, then becomes offended when you smile and say, "Could you please cover your mouth, sweetie?"