Shi Lee Ofri, a former contestant on Israel's "Big Brother," posted a candid video on Instagram asking followers to be more sensitive when they see her with her son, Alari, in public. She said that on several occasions women had approached the child too enthusiastically, which left him frightened and crying.
Ofri said the behavior has happened three times, describing women who spotted her on the street, rushed over, hugged and kissed her son, even though he did not know them. "He gets scared and starts crying," she said, adding that the encounters happen because people see her with Alari and "just jump on the child."
She stressed that she has no problem with followers coming over to say hello, but asked them to understand the situation from her son's perspective. "He's just a child. He doesn't know you. He's a baby, not even a child yet. This situation is very strange for him," she explained.
Ofri clarified that she was not criticizing children who approach excitedly, but adults, especially women, who should know better. "I'm not saying don't say hello to him," she said. "First say hello, but you don't need to burst in like that."
