\u2018I know this guy, and he was literally getting it for his kids; he didn\u2019t have to shame him like that,\u2019 one person wrote.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe just a \u2018sorry bro, kids have to be present to get a gift\u2019 – he looked really embarrassed and reacted that way,\u201d they continued.<\/p>\n
Laing and the man at the centre of the incident Xaris Tofilau later cleared the air during a friendly online call, marvelling about how much of the context was lost after the clip went viral.<\/p>\n
The Auckland father told Laing he was overwhelmed by the situation at the moment. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was shy. I was all too eager to get the toys. I didn\u2019t come with my kids. It all happened so fast,\u201d Tofilau said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just frustrated. I swore like that. I shouldn\u2019t have said that. I\u2019m not that person.<\/p>\n
Laing and the man at the centre of the incident later cleared the air during a friendly online call. Photo \/ @Instagram<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt ugly walking out. I felt sorry for your intentions and how it got blown out of proportion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laing told Tofilau he couldn\u2019t recall seeing the kids in the moment and thought he was trying to cheat the system. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut really, it was your nerves from the cameras and heaps of people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Laing said everyone else thought he was trying to humiliate the Auckland father.<\/p>\n
\u201cI spoke to you like my mum speaks to me when I\u2019m being naughty.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if you felt that, I want to apologise.\u201d<\/p>\n
The reality star confirmed Tofilau reached out to him before Christmas to clear the air. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been sweet for a couple of days, but people are still hurt.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn that moment, I had good intentions, you had good intentions. It was just a misunderstanding,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Tofilau said, \u201cWe can\u2019t control the internet, but we can control our hearts and minds\u201d.<\/p>\n
Multiple people online defended Laing\u2019s actions on the day.<\/p>\n
Heliala Creations called the incident \u201cso embarrassing\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople weren\u2019t just taking a toy, they were grabbing arm-fulls, pushing past kids, moving like it was a riot,\u201d the poster said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat really blew my mind was how People KNEW that if they were to get the most expensive toy that other kids would miss out. And they didn\u2019t care.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cThen had the nerve to turn around and get angry at him for not putting limits on THEIR greed.\u201d<\/p>\n