children on adult's shoulder for fireworks

[mousepod]

A very nice debate!
Here's what I think: It's wonderful for parents to want to give their children the opportunity to look "over the crowd" and have the best view of any parade or fireworks. However, parents that stake out a great spot for themselves before hoisting their child up on their shoulders are being rude. Whether in the front or back of the crowd, the "shouldered" child will have a fantastic view. If a dad wants to increase his height to seven feet, he's going to have to do it in the back, just as a gracious seven-foot-tall person would step back and let shorter folks stand in front. I have a lot more respect for a dad who chooses to sacrifice his view for his child than one who chooses to sacrifice my view for both of them.