Beach Etiquette, Do You Have Any?

My friend met us at the beach the other day.  She has three children and I have two, so there were lots of beach toys between us.  Something interesting happened.  A women sitting not too far from us managed to swipe some toys for her children to play with.  To be honest, I don't know how she got them.  She certainly didn't ask if we could share with her.  The children weren't playing together.  Somehow the toys managed to make their way to her children who were enjoying them. 

As my friend was packing to leave she was collecting and cleaning the toys she brought.  The grandmother of the children who were playing with her toys came over and asked if we were looking for some toys because her grandchildren were playing with them.  Simply left it at that and walked away.

My jaw dropped.  This is the problem with our society.  People think they are entitled to anything they want.  You might think I am making a mountain out of a mole hill but this blows my mind.  Why wouldn't she collect the toys from her grandchildren and give them back?  Why would she take children to the beach without anything to help occupy their time?  My friend had to go over and nicely ask for the toys because she was leaving.  Did she think we would leave without the toys?  Nobody thanked my friend for letting them play with the toys.  Instead, the grandmother announced my friend was leaving and taking the toys with her.



So it boils down to beach etiquette.  Do you bring stuff to occupy your children at the beach or do you rely upon the kindness of strangers to do it for you?