The man would have been better off telling the parent to shut his brat up-but otherwise I agree entirely with your assessment-no one has the right to inflict their ill behaved kids on others in a public venue. I brought up my cub the same way as my mom did me and my sibling-just as we did, my cub knew the phrase “just wait till I get you to the truck” meant stop it now or get your butt smacked somewhere between here and the parking lot. If I see a parent discipline a kid in the grocery store out here, I always thank them for being a responsible parent.
A 2 year old child should be able to understand what the word “no” means-if they don’t, then they are not ready to be in public, and should not be brought there until they learn how to behave there. They should also know that ignoring “no” means a couple smacks on the butt or a light slap on the hand, but that is just my opinion as a parent...