Page 4 | Being laughed at on the School Run

1981mamaof2 · 24/03/2025 22:53

So sorry this has happened to you, chin up, flash them a smile and either a good morning or afternoon and walk away 😁

I usually wear jeans t shirts jumpers on the school run and dentally don’t care what others think of my appearance ….. my priority on school grounds are my children and nothing or no one else xx

hazandduck · 24/03/2025 19:40

Petergriffinschins · 24/03/2025 12:58

I’ve had this OP. It’s shitty behaviour.

I am quite posh but moved to a shithole of an area. A couple of mums shout out “oi, Kate Middleton” and snigger when I walk past. Occasionally they will shout out other things at me, “where’s your tiara?” and other crap like that.

They are mums from DDs class, she is year 6 now, it started when we moved here in year 2.

So almost 4 fucking years they have been at it! Sad little women, I’ve never given them a reaction becuase I don’t actually care. I just find it amusing that they have kept it up so long, it’s bizzare.

This sounds more like a bit of bantering/trying to be friendly to me. Not condoning being heckled in the street but I personally would take it in the spirit of them just being a bit familiar and jokey. (I also had these kind of comments at college, being called ‘posh’ and ‘princess.’) I didn’t take it as bullying. If they called you a snobby bitch and were actually horrible to you I’d get it, but it sounds quite harmless.

Cheepcheepcheep · 24/03/2025 18:53

VictoriaMum323 · 24/03/2025 10:44

hi @ChoccyBiscuits123 i would try to catch one of them separately and just start chatting and smiling kindly and they will likely soon warm up and realise they’ve been a bit mean

I’ve RTFT and this is the advice that stands out for me. If you can’t be arsed with them then that’s entirely fair and do the ignore thing. But if you do feel you have to do something, I’ve found having a 1:1 chat very casually, never mentioning the bitchy behaviour but just being very human, tends to stop them in their tracks. Then the next time the other is going ‘oh look it’s Kylie again haaaa’ the one you’ve talked to tends to go ‘nah, come on, she’s actually alright’.

And I have done the school run in red lipstick and a whistles dress and leggings, stained sweater and unwashed hair in the last week, so no skin in that game but bitchiness is never ok ⭐️

Kitchensinktoday · 24/03/2025 18:52

Petergriffinschins · 24/03/2025 12:58

I’ve had this OP. It’s shitty behaviour.

I am quite posh but moved to a shithole of an area. A couple of mums shout out “oi, Kate Middleton” and snigger when I walk past. Occasionally they will shout out other things at me, “where’s your tiara?” and other crap like that.

They are mums from DDs class, she is year 6 now, it started when we moved here in year 2.

So almost 4 fucking years they have been at it! Sad little women, I’ve never given them a reaction becuase I don’t actually care. I just find it amusing that they have kept it up so long, it’s bizzare.

Inverted snobbery is rife in this country, and it’s horrible

Pherian · 24/03/2025 18:36

They are chavs. Just keep walking with your head high. Certainly get some headphones. If you see them don’t even make eye contact. Pretend they don’t exist.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 24/03/2025 18:24

good for you @ChoccyBiscuits123 !

Those two idiots are meaningless in the scheme of things.

I also think the "fake it till you make it" confident walk also helps. ( a funny podcast in your ears too) even if you are feeling anxious.

You'll look back on this in a few weeks and laugh. Onwards and upwards!

BettyBoo000 · 24/03/2025 18:21

ChoccyBiscuits123 · 24/03/2025 09:28

Okay so I'm going to start by saying I'm not usually bothered by people's behaviour - I'm very much a live and let live person....however...there are two women on the school run that I am just perplexed by.

So for example this morning..I had just dropped my daughter off at school and I'm minding my own business walking home. These two other mums come from around the corner and immediately start laughing directly at me in my face...! They then stifled their giggles and walked past. This is not the first time this has happened.
Once they started singing a Kylie Minogue song at me from the other side of the road laughing and twirling around. All a bit much for me in the morning!!

We're all pretty relaxed dressers on the school run..they wear tracksuits and tie their hair up and I tend to wear leggings and a navy joules coat with miminal make up (mascara and perhaps a red lip if I have the energy) so it's not like I'm going to school in Kylie hot pants or full make up or other crazy clothing.

I'm perplexed as to why they've targeted me as I don't know them at all. It's got to the point where it is upsetting me. Someone laughing in my face or stifling giggles as I walk past is hurtful and it's starting to feel like bullying. Am I being too sensitive? Is my make up or dress sense so awful they cant help but laugh? I am so confused! Esp as they don't seem to do it to anyone else.

I want to ignore it and just put it down to them being muppets but I am struggling now.

I can't confront them as they will probably just see it as hilarious and as they've never actually said anything directly to me they could accuse me of being paranoid.

Any help or advice much appreciated. No nasty comment please.

They sound like a couple of chavs what horrible people. Keep your head up go on your phone or look away from them. Xx

Original poster

ChoccyBiscuits123 · 24/03/2025 17:37

Thank you so much everyone 💗 I feel genuinely supported in this 💖 I cant believe how many people have said encouraging and helpful things.

This morning I felt really down about it and tbh I was feeling very sorry for myself 😆 but now I feel like they are the ones with the problem and I am going to follow the advice of just ignoring them!

Thank you for all your kind words and for pointing out that they are the issue not me! They truly are bell ends and aren't worth my time or energy 😂💖 xxx

OP posts:

Casperroonie · 24/03/2025 17:24

ChoccyBiscuits123 · 24/03/2025 09:28

Okay so I'm going to start by saying I'm not usually bothered by people's behaviour - I'm very much a live and let live person....however...there are two women on the school run that I am just perplexed by.

So for example this morning..I had just dropped my daughter off at school and I'm minding my own business walking home. These two other mums come from around the corner and immediately start laughing directly at me in my face...! They then stifled their giggles and walked past. This is not the first time this has happened.
Once they started singing a Kylie Minogue song at me from the other side of the road laughing and twirling around. All a bit much for me in the morning!!

We're all pretty relaxed dressers on the school run..they wear tracksuits and tie their hair up and I tend to wear leggings and a navy joules coat with miminal make up (mascara and perhaps a red lip if I have the energy) so it's not like I'm going to school in Kylie hot pants or full make up or other crazy clothing.

I'm perplexed as to why they've targeted me as I don't know them at all. It's got to the point where it is upsetting me. Someone laughing in my face or stifling giggles as I walk past is hurtful and it's starting to feel like bullying. Am I being too sensitive? Is my make up or dress sense so awful they cant help but laugh? I am so confused! Esp as they don't seem to do it to anyone else.

I want to ignore it and just put it down to them being muppets but I am struggling now.

I can't confront them as they will probably just see it as hilarious and as they've never actually said anything directly to me they could accuse me of being paranoid.

Any help or advice much appreciated. No nasty comment please.

What a pair of utter #$!$@%!:$!!!!! Ugh. Obviously they have the mentality of a 3 year old, not even that. Stay strong and ignore. If it happens again I'd email the school and tell them of their appaling behaviour towards other parents,maybe they could send a note home.

Doingmybestbut · 24/03/2025 17:16

Urgh how ridiculous. I can see why it would upset you, but they sound pathetic.

jenrobin · 24/03/2025 17:16

FuckityFux · 24/03/2025 10:57

I wonder if you come across as a bit snobby and aloof OP with your mention of wearing make-up and a Joules coat compared to tracksuits (?) just to do the school run?

My sister is a bit like this and was really annoyed with me when I called to her that she’d left her Anorak behind and she had to hiss the brand name and price tag to me as if it was something really impressive. I don’t waste money on brand names if I can buy similar cheaper in the supermarket, so it still went right over my head. 😂

Either way, just ignore them. Sticks and stones and all that jazz. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Joules coats are quite plain and casual. I found that helpful context since the OP was obviously concerned about her appearance.

Mummywantstobemadeover · 24/03/2025 17:14

ElbowsUpRising · 24/03/2025 16:13

Well they sound like idiots. I’d kill them with kindness in an artificial jolly way. “Good morning ladies, how are we today, lovely morning”. And I’d keep it up every day no matter how much they laughed. If they are targeting you they’ll be wanting to upset you/get a reaction and I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. I’d make out like I was delighted every time I saw them and wave at them across the street!

God I would not do this. You are just feeding into it then. And wasting your time annd energy on it. Ignore, ignore, ignore.

Scottsy200 · 24/03/2025 17:13

On Wednesdays do they wear pink?

Mummywantstobemadeover · 24/03/2025 17:12

Well I’d just feel sorry for them. Have they got nothing better to talk about than some random woman dropping her kid off? I guess they find conversing with each other too dull

WilfredsPies · 24/03/2025 16:57

I am small and blonde but I wouldn't go as far to say I am a Kylie look alike I agree with a pp who said that they’ve just picked a random celeb to name you. If you had wrinkles in your tights, you’d be Nora Batty. If you had big teeth, you’d be Freddie Mercury. If you flicked your hair and had a sassy walk, you’d be Beyoncé. It’s no reflection on you and if that’s the worst name they can think of to call you, then you’re obviously not doing too badly.

I think they’ve probably decided that you’re a bit too confident in yourself. Either that or you haven’t been as humble as they feel you should have been when they’ve noticed you. Definitely ignore them.

BubbaHorovitz · 24/03/2025 16:44

Its not easy, but if you act entirely as if you can't see or hear them, smile at other people, wave and say hello to other people, laugh into your phone or scrutinize it for information, they'll fade into the background and hopefully they will feel a bit silly when its clear they're not getting the audience reaction they hoped for.

tobee · 24/03/2025 16:37

I'd do the earphones in, looking relaxed and totally like they don't exist. If you do happen to make eye contact just do the big flashy smile last minute like you only just saw them and cheerily go " all right?!"

@Iloveyoubut you're just here for a fight, yes?

Iloveyoubut · 24/03/2025 16:31

BonnieBug · 24/03/2025 14:07

Ok, your use of the word "bro" gave away the fact that you're 12.

Show quote history

Your unnecessary use of the word ok at the start of your sentence isn’t exactly painting you in the most mature light, to be fair.

Walkaround · 24/03/2025 16:18

Is this a case of Vicky Pollard and friend picking on someone for being more attractive than they are? “Yeah but, no but, yeah but.”

RedHelenB · 24/03/2025 16:13

I doubt it has anything to do with you. What happens when you say hello?

ElbowsUpRising · 24/03/2025 16:13

Well they sound like idiots. I’d kill them with kindness in an artificial jolly way. “Good morning ladies, how are we today, lovely morning”. And I’d keep it up every day no matter how much they laughed. If they are targeting you they’ll be wanting to upset you/get a reaction and I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. I’d make out like I was delighted every time I saw them and wave at them across the street!

sharkshit · 24/03/2025 16:12

Take it as a compliment, there are many worse people to be compared with than Kylie!

They sound immature and annoying though, so best just ignored.

Bookloveruk · 24/03/2025 16:11

I’d be tempted to laugh every time I see them. It will drive them mad not knowing why you are laughing. There are def strange people around

MixedFeelingsNoFeelings · 24/03/2025 16:09

I genuinely think people who act like this have developmental issues, so won't respond in a mature way to confrontation or 'tactics'. They're more likely to double down on the shrieks and chortling.

So unless you have the front to pull off the broad smile as you sail past - or alternatively, approach them with genuine menace - I'd follow the advice of a pp and make sure you've got ear buds in, invisible ones preferably so they're left guessing. We just have to accept such people are among us and thank god/cross our fingers they're not our neighbours!

pompey38 · 24/03/2025 16:08

ChoccyBiscuits123 · 24/03/2025 09:28

Okay so I'm going to start by saying I'm not usually bothered by people's behaviour - I'm very much a live and let live person....however...there are two women on the school run that I am just perplexed by.

So for example this morning..I had just dropped my daughter off at school and I'm minding my own business walking home. These two other mums come from around the corner and immediately start laughing directly at me in my face...! They then stifled their giggles and walked past. This is not the first time this has happened.
Once they started singing a Kylie Minogue song at me from the other side of the road laughing and twirling around. All a bit much for me in the morning!!

We're all pretty relaxed dressers on the school run..they wear tracksuits and tie their hair up and I tend to wear leggings and a navy joules coat with miminal make up (mascara and perhaps a red lip if I have the energy) so it's not like I'm going to school in Kylie hot pants or full make up or other crazy clothing.

I'm perplexed as to why they've targeted me as I don't know them at all. It's got to the point where it is upsetting me. Someone laughing in my face or stifling giggles as I walk past is hurtful and it's starting to feel like bullying. Am I being too sensitive? Is my make up or dress sense so awful they cant help but laugh? I am so confused! Esp as they don't seem to do it to anyone else.

I want to ignore it and just put it down to them being muppets but I am struggling now.

I can't confront them as they will probably just see it as hilarious and as they've never actually said anything directly to me they could accuse me of being paranoid.

Any help or advice much appreciated. No nasty comment please.

I would, I’ll ask them straight in their stupid faces what’s their problem and if they continue I’ll go and make a complaint with the local police. Can’t stand bullies, no matter the age