The Slice: ‘Sorry’ might be little kids’ best bet

Indirectly at least, the matter of what a little kid should say to someone shouting “Get off my lawn” turned into a debate about property rights and parenting styles.

“How about the kid says ‘Sorry’ and gets off the lawn,” wrote Andy Underdahl. “Some people spend a lot of hours taking care of their yards. If the kid wants to play on grass, go to the park or their own yard.”

Peggy Thomas wrote, “How about a polite sounding ‘I’m sorry.’ ”

Lisa Weaver suggested that the kid should say “OK” while getting off the lawn. “Did he ask permission to get his ball, etc.? How about some old-fashioned manners. Then maybe the seriously shouting person would have requested ‘Get off my lawn’ differently, too.”

Pat Williams and several others recommended versions of “Yes, sir – right away.”

I also heard from readers with a different perspective.

Lou Haymond offered “Oops! Blood pressure. Healthy lawn or healthy heart? You pick.”

Greg Robbe proposed “Lawn? More like ‘Get off the weeds’ mister.”

Steve Webbenhurst suggested “It’s Mother Nature’s lawn.”

Victor Buksbazen submitted “I thought this was a national forest.”

And John May offered “Yes sir, just as soon as I get the rest of my dog’s poop.”

Assessing audience/ spectators: Pat O’Doherty said Hoopfest has the best behaved crowd.

Gary Polser said Hoopfest has the worst.

Inventing a new ‘Go’ expression: Ken Stout, who happens to be a truck driver, had one: “How about ‘Go, Truckers!’ ”

Sneeze responders: “My wife says nothing after my first sneeze,” wrote Glen Hanket. “After the second, she says, ‘Stop it!’ If I sneeze a third time, she says, ‘STOP IT!’ After that, it gets ugly.”

Rob Golden starts out saying “Bless you.” But after the fourth sneeze, he has been known to suggest that the sneezer might need an MRI.

And several readers acknowledged having adopted the Seinfeldian “You are so good-looking.”

Today’s Slice question: In what way has Spokane not changed?