On a bus on my way to work, a little girl pointed at a poster above the seats.
โDaddy, what does bullying mean?โ
Her father glanced at the poster.
โIt means when someone uses their words or actions to hurt, frighten, or make another person feel small.โ
The girl thought for a moment.
โLike when a teacher shouts at you?โ
โSometimes.โ
โOr when a boss makes you scared to speak?โ
โExactly.โ
A woman sitting across from them suddenly interrupted.
โDonโt teach children things like that.โ
The father looked up.
She asked me a question.
Youโre making her too sensitive, the woman said. Thatโs whatโs wrong with children today. Everyone wants to feel offended by everything.