I want to raise them in WestLake Village CA.
I was at a sales meeting today in WestLake Village about 40 miles North of LA. It ended at 5pm and traffic at that time is a nightmare, so I decided to do some shopping and then have some dinner to wait out the traffic.
In Barnes and Noble a twelve year old boy walked past me smiled and said "I like your Coach purse", I, in shock stammered Thank you, he gave me a bigger smile and says you're welcome then went to catch up with his friends. Who taught him this?
While at dinner at a nice restaurant I, of course by myself, was seated next to a table of six. A man arrives first and waits. Then four teenagers come in, three girls and an older boy (17). One was obviously a friend. They start telling dad all about their day, what test scores were and were genuinely excited to see him. At one point father is talking about the boy doing something. Boy says, but I'm still going to send a thank you card, Dad says, oh you don't have to just do this, he'll think it's a hoot, boy gives non-commital shrug. Eldest girl pipes up and says, Dad, I don't think that's very nice and doesn't show he's grateful at all, of course he's still going to send a thank you.
Then mom arrives, says have you decided what you wanted to eat? Son says, no mom we waited for you, at which point they all pick up their menus.
Then they discuss their vacation plans, father suggests they don't go to Venice over spring break but wait for the summer and do a month long trip through Italy. Friend says, I think that's a better idea because the weather is spotty in Venice during Spring break. (I didn't know this when I was 15).
As I was leaving another twelve year old boy was hanging in front of the exit door. At this point I'm pretty confident and don't really slow down my stride, and sure enough he opens the door, I look at him I and say thank you. He looks right back at me with a smile and says you're welcome and then continues to hold it open for the next group coming through.
Also, I noticed a lot of older kids with their parents at the restaurant and all talking and excited to be hanging out with their parents. It really was a scene from the Stepford Wives, except no one looked drugged. If I was positive my kids would end up like this I might actually have some, but I'm pretty sure they'd take after me
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