Adult Temper Tantrums: When It's Truly Time to Grow Up

It can be seen in almost any grocery store at any time. If not seen, it can certainly be heard six aisles over. It is a child throwing a temper tantrum. A 3-year-old child kicking, screaming and turning red in the face is an ugly sight. It isn't any prettier when it is a 30-year-old doing it. When it's a child pitching the fit, people cluck their tongues and say the mother ought to do something about that kid. But who is supposed to do something about adults who throw temper tantrums? What is supposed to be done?

I was waiting for service in a store when the woman in front of me erupted in a torrent of shrieking abuse. She was an attractive, well-dressed, professional woman, but right then she just looked ugly. The manager showed up and placated her. I found myself getting annoyed about this.

The woman with her temper tantrum, because that is exactly what it was, had caused everyone else to be delayed. Then she got her way. She was rewarded for her bad behavior. This reward for her bad behavior only insured she'd do it again. She needed to be sent to the end of the line the way we do with children when they act like that.

When got home and watched the evening news there were two stories about adult temper tantrums. One story was about a case of road rage where a driver rammed his vehicle into the car of a woman who'd done something to upset him. In this instance he was charged with Endangerment of a Child. I hope the fine is significant enough to make him think twice before acting like that again.

The next story was about a woman who threw her temper tantrum because, being late to the airport, she'd not been able to board her plane. Despite the airline booking her immediately on the next flight out she pitched such a fit that security ended up handcuffing her and putting her in a holding cell. In the cell she apparently continued her temper fit to such a degree she choked herself with the handcuffs. That was a high price to pay because she didn't get her way.