I was hiking with Briz, Ru, and our foster chihuahua (who loved kids) when we were set upon by an entire herd of preschoolers. I could see their parents way down the trail and behind that there was a someone with an off leash Labrador running amuck (likely to cause a problem if it runs up to us). The kids saw my dogs and stamped over while shouting "Can I pet your dog!? Can I pet your dog?!"
I told them no, and the children had absolutely no idea what to do next. I guess nobody ever told them no before? A couple of them tried asking again and the other four asked "why?", but at least they all ground to a halt at a safe distance. Eventually the parents caught up and hauled them down the trail, and the guy behind them leashed his dog so I didn't have to deal with a dog fight in the middle of half a dozen four-year-olds.