Amid the chaos of unpacking Eric Adams' indictment today—and the stunning allegations pointing to some seriously clownish behavior by the New York mayor and his aides—I asked my husband what luxury item it would take for him to at least consider accepting a bribe.
Before he could answer, I had already started on a path of complaining. Why is daycare raising prices—again? What's really wrong with trying to get free stuff once in a blue moon? I've flown Turkish Airlines to go to Istanbul once. It was a nice airline! And I would certainly accept a heavily discounted flight, no questions asked! What about them martinis? That stuff is expensive, even in the suburbs where I live.
It's no wonder I've started to order off the kid's menu with impunity!
That's when my husband finally started to engage. "Ya know, I wish you'd stop doing that. Just order an adult burger." Offended, I quickly escalated the conversation into a full-on debate.
Tell me, really: What is wrong with a parent taking a rare, measly opportunity at a discount in this expensive, child-rearing life, by significantly lowering her gastronomical standards—I mean, would you call "buttered noodles" a meal?—and ordering from the kid's menu? Especially when the adult still orders a drink or two, easily covering the difference between an adult meal and a child's meal.
I decided to pose the question to a group of colleagues who are also parents, believing they'd universally be on my side. And many were. But to my dismay, some definitely were not.
"Wait what? No, you can't order off the kid's menu."
"Are you at least tipping more?"
"Borderline."
TLDR: I am now nearly convinced that I may have been in the wrong. But before I change my behavior and start ordering from an adult menu, I want to know: Is it immoral, as a non-child, to order off the kid's menu?
Tell me! Also, guys. I'm just kidding about the bribes; Eric Adams is a very bad dude. A monster, even.
—Inae Oh
