What is wrong with society these days? When my son was young and doing something wrong. I told him to stop and he did, mostly. There was none of this loud crying and misbehaving in public. I think it's because I would spank him in public and he would get embarrassed. He grew up into a decent man, so I have no regrets. Being too soft on kids is not helping them. It's not preparing them for the 'real world'.
I don't think spanking in public is preparing for the real world but each to their own!