There is something about being around too-loved children that is profoundly irritating. It is nothing to do with the children themselves. In and of themselves, the little humans are quite nice, all beautifully brushed and fed and clothed and high-spirited. Yet, in the hands of adults who believe they must at all costs tolerate anything kids do, just so that they show how loving and tolerant they are, kids become the very devil.

Brought to an adult social setting in their wonderfully shining state, sweet-smelling kids suddenly morph into screaming banshees, running around and around spindle-legged stools, climbing over your guest describing a visit to the hill country, dragging their large toys into the middle of the drawing room and generally making sure that your ears are deafened and mind is spinning. This can happen at any point in your once-in-a-while dinner, lunch or tea gathering and go on for an unspecified time duration. Usually, you must endure this until they collapse in sleep (heave sigh of relief!) or start crying en mass and your friends pick them up mid-way in a description of the new restaurant in Colpetty and rush home.

On no account must you, of course, expect these children to be stopped from their high-pitched displays of energy lest their spirits be cowed. You might also be required to continue your conversation on the situation in Syria ignoring the little elf pulling your friend’s hair, shirt, or shoelaces. Further, you must smile benignly while they scream and lovingly pounce on your shivering pet. Neither must you ask, feebly, if adults gatherings are quite the time and place for kids to run amok.

Because heaven forbid that you label yourself a child-hating misanthrope by requesting that your friends instill some discipline into their children or request to have a conversation in peace and quiet.