This Could Get Dirty

Today, I went to a craft store to buy some ribbon.  While perusing the enormous selection of spools, looking for just the right blue with a pattern that wasn't girly,  I was quite pleased to find that my 4 year old son had found a way to occupy himself.  There he lay on the floor, sprawled on his belly, looking under the display shelf.  He would occasionally report to me the things he'd found; "mom, there's a round blue thing", to which I would reply, "what do you think it is?" and "do you think you can reach it?"  I realize my parenting is often unconventional, but nonetheless, we were both happily engaged in our errand.   It seemed obvious, due to the fact that I was conversing with my child, that I  was aware that  he was indeed on the floor.  It was also obvious, judging by the few disapproving glances that I got from the antibacterial moms, that we were breeching the norm.  With that said, it wasn't a big surprise to me when a saleslady walked by and said to me, (by way of my son) "it's really dirty down there fella, you don't want to play on the floor".  I just smiled and said "yeah, I know,... it's ok".  As long as we weren't in anyone's way, I didn't see anything wrong with my son exploring the underworld of the ribbon aisle.  The opinion of the saleslady was, however, different from my own. I was obviously putting him in danger because she came back down the aisle to restock some spools, and in passing, said to me (directly this time), "you know, the sweeper comes through the aisles but doesn't really reach under there", motioning to where my health hazard child was now squeezing both arms and half of his face.  I continued to respond with a simple, "oh,... ok... thanks", knowing that I am the odd ball; I am on the path less traveled.  I don't expect others to agree with me, but I fall into the school of thought that we need some dirt in our lives to challenge and strengthen our immune systems (see link below).   By this time, I had found 2 suitable spools of ribbon and was ready to go.  Sensing that I had not yet realized the danger in which I was placing my son, and thinking I would probably encourage my baby to lick his hands clean after getting up, the saleslady made one final trip down my aisle.  This time she didn't even have ribbon to restock - she was coming just for me.   Jason and I were up and moving toward the cashier as she called out, "make sure he washes his hands, the floor is a very dirty place".  I smiled and waved goodbye feeling smugly confident that after restocking all of those spools that other people had touched with their coughing, sneezing, nose picking, bathroom going hands, she should be far more concerned about washing her own hands.
Disclaimer:  I do believe it is prudent to wash one's hands often, and I don't encourage touching things that look or smell gross.  A little dust or dirt however, doesn't bother me one bit.        http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070905174501.htm