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Teaching kids to respect animals is great, but sometimes, it can get you into trouble.

In this story, a woman taught her child at a petting zoo not to disturb the animals.

But things escalated when other kids ignored the rules and started banging the window, behind which monkeys could be seen.

She stepped in and said something, but it triggered the boys’ mother, leading to an unexpected conflict.

Uh oh! What started as a lesson about kindness quickly turned into a tense and awkward situation.

Read the full story below to learn more.

AITA for scolding someone’s kid at a zoo

Today, I went to a petting zoo with my kid. We saw some animals (tiny monkeys) behind a window.

But most of the animals there could be fed and touched.

It was pretty full. There were a lot of noises everywhere.

Kids were running wild, and parents were mostly on their phones.

This woman reminded her daughter not to bang the window.

Now, here’s where I get on my high horse and possibly make myself the jerk.

I told my kid sharply not to bang on the window to the tiny monkeys.

This area was way calmer than the rest, and the monkeys seemed to get stressed out because of it.

I want my kid to grow up respecting these creatures. We are literally watching caged animals for entertainment.

But still, not scaring them or making loud noises like a jerk seems like a bare minimum.

There were signs as well to not disturb them.

She scolded some older boys who began banging the window.

In come three older boys. They started banging the windows like crazy.

I had just told my kids that is absolutely not allowed. I felt like I had to enforce that rule on others, too.

I realize that is probably not my business, but I still told the boys to not do that.

I said it in a pretty aggressive way, “Hey! Don’t do that. Be nice to the animals.”

They looked at me. Then, they went to their mom. She didn’t give a crap.

She herself started banging the window. I told her, too, and pointed at the sign that said no touching the windows.

The boys’ mother cursed at her and flipped out.

She rolled her eyes at me. She muttered “b***” in a language she assumed I didn’t speak.

I said in English, “Whatever, parent of the year.” She flipped out.

She told me to mind my own business. I said something ridiculous like “Animals are people, too.”

I realize that lost me the entire argument. What I meant was they shouldn’t be treated poorly.

But whatever.

Now, she’s absolutely sure she was the one in the wrong in this situation.

Anyway, my daughter wanted to go home after her clown mom was done.

So I’m pretty sure I’m the jerk here. I ruined my daughter’s zoo day. I scolded other people’s kids.

I pretended to stand up for animal rights while literally going to a place where they are just there to entertain us.

Haha! Writing this made me realize I already know the answer.

Caring for animals involves respecting their habitat in the zoo.

It’s understandable to want to protect the animals and model good behavior.

It’s obvious that OP’s intention came from a good place, but I think not everyone will understand.

After all, stepping into other families’ dynamics doesn’t always end up very well.

Let’s read the responses of other people to this story.

This user makes a valid point.

This one shares their personal thoughts.

The animals matter, says this one.

If you enjoyed this post, check out this story about a frustrated tenant whose landlord says she can only move out with her roommate.

Short and simple.

Finally, people are siding with OP.

Sometimes, doing the right thing still gets you the side-eye at the zoo.