The Hi-Bye Trap

It's usually the unsuspecting, sweet older ladies at grocery stores, department stores, and church that Thomas selects as his victims. He baits them with a playful and/or bashful look, and they always bite with "Hi, little guy! You're so cute!", etc. That's when he reels them in. He says "Hiiii" back in his clearest voice, and tosses in a cute baby giggle for good measure.

It never fails. Who wouldn't want to try and repeat the exchange to see if the baby will say Hi and laugh again? So they always say "Hi" again, and then it's all over. Thomas knows how to play the game, and he puts up a "Hi" and a giggle for every "Hi" that the nice lady can offer. At some point, the lady tries to wrap things up and go about her business, but Thomas tosses out a few more "Hi's", and they just can't walk away and leave him hanging.

Usually at some point I'll try to redirect his attention a little so the lady can make her getaway, but then the lady *always* makes the mistake of throwing in a "Bye" to neatly tie up the conversation. And then, of course, Thomas comes back with his own "Bye" and ... there we go again!