Aussie mum's shopping trip turns controversial after this man's comment

In a world where we should celebrate each person's diversity and individuality, it's disheartening to hear stories of judgment and shaming, especially when it comes to something as personal as one's choice of attire.

For one Australian mum, a simple trip to Woolworths turned into an unsolicited critique of her motherhood based on her outfit, a scenario that many would agree has no place in our society.


Emma Diedrichs, a young mother, found herself the target of an unwelcome comment while navigating the aisles of her local Woolworths with her one-year-old child in tow.

‘It's Sunday, the supermarket's busy, even getting a park is a nightmare,’ she said on a video.

Dressed for the Brisbane heat in shorts and a top that revealed a sliver of midriff, Emma was confronted by an older man who felt compelled to voice his opinion on her attire.


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Australian mother shamed by an elderly man for showing midriff while shopping with her baby. Credit: @emmadiedrichs / TikTok


‘So I'm walking all the way across the shopping centre car park, getting to Woolies, get a pram, putting my one-year-old in the pram seat, and this old man has the audacity, audacity to say to me, you're a mum, you shouldn't be wearing that.’ she added.

‘I honestly was so taken back by it.’

‘I thought he was saying something about the shopping trolleys, but when I understood what he said, I was so taken aback. I laughed nervously and walked off.’

‘I didn’t really think about it until after.’


The incident, which Diedrichs shared on social media, quickly resonated with many viewers.

The video sparked a conversation about the expectations placed on mothers and the double standards that women face in their daily lives.

The hypocrisy of the man's comments was not lost on Emma's supporters, who rallied around her online.

They pointed out the absurdity of the notion that a mother's appearance affects her parenting skills.


‘I have heard of this happening to other mothers, and to be honest, this isn’t the first time something has been said to me,’ she said.

‘As a single mum, I am out and about so often with my son, so I do have a lot of people who make comments.’

‘Not all are bad. Most are nice comments.’

‘But what strikes me the most is that the only time I get comments is when I’m on my own.’

‘When I’m with my partner, friends or family, no one even bats an eyelid. As soon as I’m on my own in public, it’s like everyone has a right to talk to you.’


The support Emma received highlights a growing movement that rejects the notion that mothers must sacrifice their identity and conform to a frumpy, unassuming standard to be taken seriously.

‘Why is it when I'm by myself with my kid, I'm constantly told I'm doing this or that wrong as soon as my husband is around, he's doing such a good job/no one would say a word, you look amazing btw mumma,’ one supporter wrote.

In response to the incident, Emma expressed her wish to use the opportunity to educate rather than retaliate with anger.


‘I’m not a snappy or rude person, so I would never turn around and say anything nasty. But I wish I understood properly what he said and maybe used it to educate him that it’s not his right to comment on what I’m wearing just because I am a mum.’ she said.

‘Even if I wasn’t, what’s his right to comment? It was so hot outside and maybe being our first day out of winter, so he probably expected women to “cover up”, but even then, there were other young girls walking around wearing a lot less than I was, but just because I had my son with me, meant I had to cover up. Insanity, really.’

‘I think everyone has a right to an opinion, and that’s fine. Sometimes, it just needs to be kept inside your head.’


Credit: @emmadiedrichs / TikTok

Key Takeaways
  • An Australian mother was shamed by an elderly man at Woolworths for wearing an outfit that showed a bit of midriff while shopping with her one-year-old.
  • Emma Diedrichs, the mother, recounted the encounter on TikTok and expressed shock at the unwarranted comment.
  • The incident highlighted the double standard that mothers face and sparked discussion online about the expectation for mothers to conform to a certain dress code.
  • Emma wished she could educate the man that it's not his right to comment on her attire and that mothers should not be judged for wearing comfortable clothes that make them feel confident.
Have you or someone you know faced similar judgments? How did you respond? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
 
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I do understand how awful it is to have someone comment on what you are wearing, be it as a mother or single or whatever.
But is it necessary to go on social media and report it and have all those people give their opinion on the issue? After all, they are also giving their opinion on the matter. Why is this right and the other wrong?
 
What was the purpose of this woman going on social media?? Seriously? So the comment may or may not have been nice..but telling strangers about it when it never concerned them in the first place.... what kind of society do we live in when we need justification!!!🤔🤔🤔
 
I do understand how awful it is to have someone comment on what you are wearing, be it as a mother or single or whatever.
But is it necessary to go on social media and report it and have all those people give their opinion on the issue? After all, they are also giving their opinion on the matter. Why is this right and the other wrong?
Also they weren't involved to start with but they are now and only based on her opinion...I do not understand why they feel the need to do this its just crying sympathy..
 
I'm a 79 years young widowed great grandfather and honestly l can't see anything wrong with what she was wearing. He needs to remember the 70s when hotpants and boob tubes worn with long vinyl or leather boots were the go by women of all ages . Tell him to grow up and get a life
 
In this situation I would have tried to keep my calm, smiled said sorry I offended you. Then turned the table on him & said Oh by the way your fly is undone. Watch him stomp off red faced & spluttering quickly after than!;):LOL:
Then you are just as bad as he is.
 
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She looks fine as she is very slim but I wonder why girls of all sizes want to show their midriff or even navels in public. It's not a good look if you have rolls of fat hanging out.
It's not a vert attractive look. Similarly I dislike men going around shirtless!
 
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