do your kids ever test your patience in public places?

Yes, my 5 years old daughter do that not only when shopping but anywhere she wants. I want to go this way and she insist the other way, she'll pull my arm and scream if I'm not doing what she wants me to do. She really embarrasing me sometimes, but she can be very nice too, it's depend on her mood. But I always forgive her because she looks so adorable to me.

This is funny because yes there are those people out there with a phone in their hand ready to dial 911 when they see a child being done anything to. I was at Disneyland waiting to get on the new ride from Toy Story and this mom had her 3-4 yr old on those leashes. Well the child was throwing a tantrum about something and everyone was just looking. He threw himself on the hot pavement crying. His mom just watching him lie on the floor and cry. Out of the corner of my eye this lady was just looking at this mom with ugly eyes. I just observed because it was obvious this kid was throwing a tantrum and his mom was waiting for him to get up. If you pick them up too soon they will kick at you then start screaming all over again. I probably would have done the same.

My kids try this whole charade on me sometimes in public. They will not throw tantrums but laugh at me when I tell them to stay in one spot. They like to test my authority and laugh at what I say but believe me I will either pinch them or pull their hair in some way. If it gets bad enough I will yell at them all the way home where there is silence. I empathize with those mothers caught on tape smacking their kids because you never know what led up to the smacking. I'm sure there are ways to hit your child but try to explain that to a mom who has lost her child for 10-15 minutes because they wandered off after you repeatedly told them to stay in one spot? One time I was in the restroom with my other two kids and my four yr old ran out mad at me for telling him to wash his hands. It took me like 30 seconds to respond and by then he had vanished. My husband didn't wait outside the restroom but was at the car. I had some kids still in the bathroom, a husband outside waiting, and a four yr. old running around Walmart. My stomach hurt so bad, I wanted to cry, it took around 5 minutes to find him but by then I was imagining him on a milk carton somewhere. I wanted to just smack him there and then.

My little boy is the same way. I'm wary of disciplining him physically in public for just the reason you mentioned. Heaven forbid anyone should actually punish a child for being naughty! That's probably the reason he does it in public, because he knows he'll get away with it.
He does this to me when I'm on the phone, too. He can be minding his own business, playing quietly until the phone rings. Then he's got to be right up next to me, making all kinds of noise, grabbing the phone cord, etc. Frustrating!

I have been very blessed with 2 great well behaved kids. Every once in awhile my 4 year old will try my patience or take advantage of me being on the phone. My 10 year old has thrown 1 tantrum.....it was at Walmart, he was almost 5. I spanked him right then and there and told him he better never EVER act like that in public or at home. I let him know that would not be tolerated at all. I dont know what would have happened had someone called the cops! I did get a "praise you" from some older woman then she went on her way mumbling something about if more parents would tear that butt up every once in a while there wouldn't be so many bad childrens running around! My daughter just rencently pulled her first little stunt. I completely ignored her and walked out of the room. That freaked her out! I am not a big spanker, never had to be. I do have time-outs and losing certain privelages. I haven't yet started "grounding" anyone. Dont really have to. But they both are kids and are mischevious. I totally agree with spanking though. I was raised on tail whippins!!!! Most kids nowadays are being raised on ridilen!