Don't buy that for your kids: Was I rude?

[Nightboomfer]

So I was perusing the toy isle looking for gifts, when some parents and their two kids (fairly youngish) come by. The dad picks up a relatively realistic F-15 jet and then comments that maybe he could get it for the kids. I bought this same thing a while ago, and so I briefly interjected.
"'Scuse me, I bought it a while ago, and it has a lot of internal mechanisms that could be pretty frustrating for a kid, on top of that there's some small and removeable parts included. Not really one for the kiddies."
"Yeah, at least not for any younger kids." He agreed.
---
So was I rude in telling him about the (potential) hazard the toy posed to his kids?

[DottyG]

No. You were very helpful.

[Aeris]

I think if you had said "don't buy that for kids because it celebrates war" or some other political/moral judgment, you'd be rude. I think pointing out physical danger or frustration elements with regard to age is just helpful - you're giving them relatively factual information they may not know that could help them make an informed decision on purchases.

[Ulla dances in a silly way]

I don't think it was rude, I think it was helpful.

Like Aeris said, if it had been a moral or political thing, that would be different. You were just trying to help out from a safety and fun point of veiw. The kids wouldn't enjoy the plane if they couldn't figure it out (or, I suppose, if they were choking on the fuselage...)

-Ulla

[AprilRenee]

I NEVER know what to buy my daughter. Already, at 6, she is impossible to shop for. I always appreciate it when people give me thier experiences in reguards to gifts.

[klm75]

I always appreciate it when people give me thier experiences in reguards to gifts.

I agree.  I also will tell people when they are looking at something my kids really loved, or if I have seen it cheaper somewhere else.

[evilbeagle]

I think if you had said "don't buy that for kids because it celebrates war" or some other political/moral judgment, you'd be rude. I think pointing out physical danger or frustration elements with regard to age is just helpful - you're giving them relatively factual information they may not know that could help them make an informed decision on purchases.

Spot on, Aeris. I think anyone would appreciate information like this on a toy that they are thinking of buying for their children. It would have been incredibly rude had it been based on a political or moral judgement, but it wasn't, and he seemed genuinely appreciative, so no harm done. It would have almost been rude not to say anything.

I'll admit that when I read the title to the post, I was half expecting the story of a lecture on toy guns. And that, I must admit, was a bad assumption. 

[Bijou]

Nothing wrong with what you did.  Personally, I would appreciate it.

[Rachel]

Not rude at all! The father probably appreciated hearing about your experience with the toy and was thankful that you cared enough to warn him about it - I definitly would have!

[AbbyW]

It's amazing how quickly you can bond with strangers in the toy aisle.  I have had numerous conversations with people about toys.  You were just offering factual advice without prejudice.  That can only be seen as being helpful. 

[Chelsealady]

No you weren't rude.  I personally do this quite a bit.  With 7 nieces and nephews I am always in a toy or game aisle somewhere and one of them is sure to have it or want it. 
As a matter of fact just last week I was in the big blue electronics store and had to recommend a video game to a dad looking for a present for his daughter. 

[maryb]

Not rude at all! 

I was thrilled when we were at the grocery store this Sunday and I ran back to get chocolate chips - a woman ran after me and told me not to get the ones I had picked out and get the hidden special ones instead - she saved me $4!!!!

[willow08]

I would appreciate it.  I was in a toy store last week, looking over this talking nursery toy thing DD wanted. Another mother stopped and told me it was an expensive hunk of junk and the mirror actually fell off of the vanity and could have hurt her daughter if mama hadn't been standing right there. I appreciated that she kept me from buying something that was a) overpriced and b) not entirely safe.

[Lisbeth]

I think you were helpful and not rude.

Had you tried to inject your personal views on the manufacturer, politics, religion, or social matters into the decision not to buy, you would have been rude.

But to tell others that it doesn't work as intended or that there are similar items available at a lower price doesn't seem rude to me.