AIBU to ask people not to swear in public?

[FayeFruitLoop]

To ask how you handle being on public transport/shops/places where people are loudly swearing around your newly speaking toddler?

I can't really leave this bus as I need to be somewhere and it's becoming more and more common that I wouldn't be able to leave places where this happens but I don't want toddler turning air blue and don't know if/how I should confront behaviour or tackle it later with tot?

[FayeFruitLoop]

Should add... I'm fairly shy. Find confrontation very hard but would if it's the right thing to do for my kid. Also if I end up being flamed... I haven't run away, have an appointment hence rushing and will be back to read and reply later...

[OfaFrenchMind]

I will not flame you, but I will kindly tell you that YABU. You are not responsible for people's education, but as you say, you can tackle it with your child as soon as he/she says a swear word. It will be easier and less hazardous than telling people you do not know to watch their mouth.
I grew up in a pretty sweary household, but my mom (bless her potty mouth) always made me aware of what is "adult speak", "child speak", and the appropriateness of the language you use, and in which circumstance. I was pretty respectful of this rule, and kept to it out of fear of death respect for my parents.

[AMumInScotland]

Likewise, I don't think you can really ask people to change their behaviour in such a public place. They haven't deliberately chosen to be near small children, it just happened. It would be different in a place that was obviously 'child-friendly' like a soft play area. But if your child is out in the 'ordinary' world, then you have to accept that you don't have control of this kind of stuff.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

You have to ignore. If you ask them to stop some will respond politely and apologise, some will ignore you and others will give you a mouthful of abuse or worse that will upset your child.

All you can do is teach your child that just because they hear a grown-up say something it doesn't mean they can.

[SunnyBaudelaire]

yes it would be unreasonable - it is your child not theirs

[KERALA1]

My father did this on a bus - it did not end well!

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

Oh, I think people who swear loudly on buses are the ones being unreasonable. Just that there's not a lot you can do.

[pigsDOfly]

Would very much advise against saying anything to sweary people.

Sorry, but people who are swearing loudly in public are unlikely to thank you for pointing it out and then go on to tone it down.

There's a very strong likelihood of it backfiring and you getting a whole load of swearing up close and in your face and being told to mind your own f*ing business - put the asterisks as don't won't to add to your woes.

It's annoying but it's just a fact of modern life that words that would not have been acceptable in public quite a short time ago are now par for the course in a lot of peoples conversation.

[NoSundayWorkingPlease]

I'd ask them to mind their language with kids around.

I've done this a couple of times, most recently at A&E at 4pm on a Saturday when the security guard was clearly ignoring the two women ranting and cursing.

I wouldn't march up to someone over the odd 'fuck'...but when I'm sitting with my 4 or 6 year old, no I won't sit and listen to choice screeched phrases such as 'Phil is such a fucking useless cunt, I'm gonna chuck the prick out tomorrow' without saying anything.

[HatieKokpins]

You might not get flamed here, but you WILL get flamed if you actually go through with it in real life.

[DoraGora]

Two minds about this. When my 6yo is close by I do object (and can get quite cross)

Was in Morrisons the other day and two men were f-ing and blinding in the milk/fruit juice isle. A child was nearby. I considered asking them to tone it down a bit. But, I suspect that my hanging around in a watchful way, probably gave them a hint without my speaking. Later bits of their conversation appeared to be less profane.

[Hatespiders]

Well it is actually a Public Order offence. I tackled two lads in the library a few months ago. They were on a computer and making awful comments and using filthy language about women (just bravado I expect). I didn't get nasty, but just leaned across and gently pointed out that there were lots of little ones in the library that day, and that it would be better not to use bad words in front of everyone. They were actually very sweet about it and apologised. As I left I went over to them and thanked them very much for their mature reaction and they beamed. But tackling fully grown adults in full throttle, I'd be a bit scared tbh. But YANBU.

[FayeFruitLoop]

Thanks all! I will opt for the ignore them but try and give off "excuse me children around" vibes I guess.

Just wasn't sure if my shyness was to the detriment of my own child by not saying something

[writtenguarantee]

I've got a bit of a potty mouth, but I am mindful of it if I am in place where children are likely to be. I will more likely let loose in a pub, then in a primary school.

I tackled two lads in the library a few months ago.

Good way to do it. Glad you got a good reaction.

I had a similar problem to the OP's a few days ago in front my child's primary. 3 women were outside having a smoke after the drop off (I assume they have children they were dropping off!) and proceeded to chat like drunken sailors. It was after 9, but there were still a few children arriving late. I didn't say anything, but probably should have. Really, you can't move 1 minute away and have your "fucking" chat?

[Andrewofgg]

In a town in Essex which shall be nameless (but is not Northend) I heard a mother tell her toddler to stop that fucking swearing

[kittykathat]

Its rude and unclassy but you cannot control others actions, its your child and they dont owe you anything.
A lot of peoole will react badly to you telling them what to do

[BoomBoomsCousin]

I've asked quite a lot of people, over the years, to moderate their language around children. But I only do it if I think it's going to be effective and I ask nicely, I don't make it some kind of demand and I don't make it sound like I disapprove of swearing per se. I've found lots of people are receptive to the idea they shouldn't swear around little chldren and that many of the ones who are doing so just haven't thought much about their surroundings. Ocassionally it proves fruitless, but I've never had anyone turn on me because of it.

[Stampysladygarden]

When I was about 13, I was being an obnoxious teen on a bus swearing. A man told me off for swearing in front of his toddler. I wasn't even really thinking about what I was doing but I was embarrassed and felt bad. Never swore on a bus again. I did learn my lesson.

[RonaldMcFartNuggets]

I told a group of teenagers to stop swearing in a playground. Little shits

[ouryve]

I sit and inwardly bristle and might mutter to myself, when they're out of earshot. DS1 just complains to me that there's people being rude.

[NoLongerJustAShopGirl]

I found passive aggressive loud parenting helped - "Oh don't listen, WE don't use words like that" or just a simple "tone it down a bit please - there are little ones about."

BUT I live in a fairly posh suburb where the fiercest answer I got was a blush and a sorry ..

[MrsTerryPratchett]

It is just language. It's just words. I reserve my 'tackling' for stuff that is harmful. Angry, shouty stuff is worse IMO. As is 'stupid' or similar words.

[ShatnersBassoon]

I've asked people to stop swearing in front of my children a few times. I politely ask them to tone down the language or volume a bit, make a joke of the children repeating what they hear to easily shocked grandma. Nobody has ever reacted badly. Teenagers are usually mortified

[Bulbasaur]

My own father swore plenty of times in front of me. I still knew not to swear and what was "grown folk talk".

That's just part of raising a kid. When he gets older, he'll start doing the predictable "! They said a bad word!". Then you'll be squirming in your seat.