Children are NOT performers for adults. And asking a child to smile purely to make an adult happy is predatory. God I was creeped out.

Honestly.. I’m a very protective mother. I get it. BUT, I think you’re overreacting. The clerk, although misguided, I’m sure had no ill intentions. If so, would he have said it with you standing right there? Just because someone makes a friendly comment to your child does not automatically make them a sexual predator. And no..your child does NOT need to smile or react in a certain way on request of a stranger. It is good that you had a conversation with him about that. Relax..just a bit.

What I didn’t add was how over the course of checking out he was repeatedly saying things to them like “aren’t you happy?” because they weren’t smiling. I don’t assume he had bad intentions, but I took probably 60 seconds out of our day to respond to my child when he was uncomfortable and let him know he doesn’t have to smile for people on command. That’s it, we moved on. That’s called parenting.

Instead of making a big deal about it and running to social media for attention, perhaps you could’ve simply said, “oh he’s just shy.” And moved on with your day.

Or the "oh you better smile, i doubt mommy's gonna get you treats if you keep acting grumpy" like, no? My son gets treats/toys when we have the money for it just like myself. Him being tired and upset we took a long time in a store will NOT get him punished, boy I'm tired too let's get a treat

I had a man in a hospital elevator say " smile it can't be that bad!" Dude I'm in a hospital elevator so maybe use your imagination.

When my daughter was about 4, we went to see Santa at the mall. “Santa” told her she needed to stop sucking her thumb. I got down on her level and said I didn’t care what “Santa” said, your Momma says you don’t have to.

My first Halloween I ever remember, the last house we went to that night there was an old man who said he would olny give me candy if I sang for him. He even had a specific song he wanted me to sing. It creeped me right out. Not only was I really young, but it didn’t make sense to me because the deal was always I just had to say “trick or treat” not sing.

I have a naturally “sad” face. Downturned mouth unless smiling. My look is intense and unfriendly. Can’t really fix this.

I always try to cheer up kids who look miserable. Just a smile or a hello. I’m 71 and nobody has complained yet. If you’re happy with anxious kids continue teaching them that friendly people are not just being friendly