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Original poster

Weeing in the theatre

179 replies

Didimum · 30/11/2025 16:38

Went with my DCs to the theatre in London. There was a little boy seated in front of us with his mum. I think he was around 3-4yrs old. During the show, his mum had him wee in a bottle twice when he needed the bathroom. Trousers down and everything. They were otherwise fine during the show – not noisy or anything.

I get that it’s annoying having to take your kids to the loo during a show, but I would never have done this. Poor woman in front of them turned round and got a … well, a full on view.

YABU – I would do this
YANBU – I wouldn’t have

OP posts:
CheeseIsMyIdol · 01/12/2025 16:12

IcyPuddles · 01/12/2025 15:24

I’d do exactly the same. In fact, I’d demand the pilot and the co-pilot leave the cockpit to assess the situation, and then take the controls myself and emergency land the plane at the nearest available airport / airfield. I’d then demand a private chartered jet, at the airline’s expense, take me to my destination.

On returning to the UK I’d pursue a private prosecution against the kid, their parents, the airline, and the airline staff. I’d also seek compensation to fund extensive counselling.

Show quote history

LOL. I always wanted to take control of the plane in an emergency, just like in the films.

It's really not all that unusual for airline captains to deal with unruly and misbehaving passengers. And if publicly urinating and defecating next to others don't classify as misbehaviour, what does?

IcyPuddles · 01/12/2025 15:24

CheeseIsMyIdol · 01/12/2025 00:44

If i were on a plane with someone letting their kid piss or shit outside the lavatory, I would raise hell up to and including requesting the captain exit the cockpit to assess the situation.
And I’d be getting compensation from the airline.

There is absolutely no excuse. Those unable to use the lavatory to eliminate or to change diapers need to stay home, drive or take a boat.

Show quote history

I’d do exactly the same. In fact, I’d demand the pilot and the co-pilot leave the cockpit to assess the situation, and then take the controls myself and emergency land the plane at the nearest available airport / airfield. I’d then demand a private chartered jet, at the airline’s expense, take me to my destination.

On returning to the UK I’d pursue a private prosecution against the kid, their parents, the airline, and the airline staff. I’d also seek compensation to fund extensive counselling.

ShowMighty · 01/12/2025 14:26

Muffsies · 01/12/2025 11:00

Yes, it's weird. But it would probably make me laugh rather than cross.

You don't know the full circs, maybe her kid had a wetting/urgency problem. My sister had a wetting problem right up until 11yo when the doctors discovered a kink in her ureter that caused her wee to flood out, almost without warning.

But surely in that case you’d use a nappy or similar? If a 40 year old man had a bladder issue would it be ok for him to sit using a bottle in a theatre?

W0tnow · 01/12/2025 14:01

AutumnLeavesFallingFast · 30/11/2025 23:10

IF I had a toddler that was terrified of the plane toilets (fortunately I haven't?) I would take them & the travel potty somewhere a bit more private than on a seat, but I wouldn't have any toddler anywhere near the floor of a plane toilet.

there are lots of unpleasant smells on flights,

Show quote history

Whaaat? The only private space is the toilet! Surely you’re not thinking of the galley? Where the staff are taking their break, or preparing food?

God, people are grim.

YouBelongHere · 01/12/2025 13:58

I think anyone who encourages their little boys to just go anywhere are pretty disgusting tbh 😣Girls have to wait so why can't boys possibly hold it? The lines for their bathrooms are normally way shorter anyway!

That's really grim and I would've had to stay something to the staff - genuinely what goes through some peoples heads!?

ldnmusic87 · 01/12/2025 13:49

What! I would have got an usher immediately.

Original poster
Didimum · 01/12/2025 13:42

elliejjtiny · 01/12/2025 10:53

Wow, that is awful. Who on earth takes a child to the theatre when they are at that early stage of potty training when they can't wait the few minutes to get from their seat to the toilet.

I don’t know if he was in early stage of potty training, or if that’s just what the mum would do regardless rather than going to the loos.

OP posts:
Original poster
Didimum · 01/12/2025 13:41

Muffsies · 01/12/2025 11:00

Yes, it's weird. But it would probably make me laugh rather than cross.

You don't know the full circs, maybe her kid had a wetting/urgency problem. My sister had a wetting problem right up until 11yo when the doctors discovered a kink in her ureter that caused her wee to flood out, almost without warning.

I wasn’t cross. I did laugh about it with people I told. I still thought it was off though.

I also say upthread that I wondered if he had a medical issue.

OP posts:
Muffsies · 01/12/2025 11:00

Yes, it's weird. But it would probably make me laugh rather than cross.

You don't know the full circs, maybe her kid had a wetting/urgency problem. My sister had a wetting problem right up until 11yo when the doctors discovered a kink in her ureter that caused her wee to flood out, almost without warning.

elliejjtiny · 01/12/2025 10:53

Wow, that is awful. Who on earth takes a child to the theatre when they are at that early stage of potty training when they can't wait the few minutes to get from their seat to the toilet.

AutumnLeavesFallingFast · 01/12/2025 09:45

CheeseIsMyIdol · 01/12/2025 00:44

If i were on a plane with someone letting their kid piss or shit outside the lavatory, I would raise hell up to and including requesting the captain exit the cockpit to assess the situation.
And I’d be getting compensation from the airline.

There is absolutely no excuse. Those unable to use the lavatory to eliminate or to change diapers need to stay home, drive or take a boat.

Show quote history

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

dramatic much.

captains have more to do than pander to that kind of pathetic kicking off from a demented passenger.

compensation from the airline 😂😂😂😂😂

Original poster
Didimum · 01/12/2025 08:04

FanofLeaves · 01/12/2025 07:37

OP incidentally can you tell us how Elf was, aside from the small child weeing? Strangely there’s been scant reviews on it and the ticket prices seem high.

It was OK! It’s not really my thing though. I’ve only seen bits and pieces of the film. I was gifted the tickets, so probably wouldn’t have bought them myself. The kids all really liked it though, so that’s the main thing.

I love musicals, but wasn’t impressed by Frozen or Hercules productions either. I don’t think the kiddy ones are up my street.

OP posts:
Loooop · 01/12/2025 07:47

I went to the theatre the other week. I had put my coat under the seat and when I picked it up later it was covered in wine as the sone one further back had spilled a glass and the sloping floor had let it flow forwards. Glad it wasn’t a bottle of pee!

Rhodie72 · 01/12/2025 07:45

That is absolutely disgusting. I would have said something to the parent...

FanofLeaves · 01/12/2025 07:37

OP incidentally can you tell us how Elf was, aside from the small child weeing? Strangely there’s been scant reviews on it and the ticket prices seem high.

FanofLeaves · 01/12/2025 07:36

Disasterclass · 01/12/2025 05:56

I go to the cinema a lot and have noticed an increase in people going out mid film, presumably to the toilet. Some kids, but lots of adults. It used to be quite unusual but now seems like half the cinema is up and down throughout the film. It’s pretty annoying

Yes probably because they serve those massive bucket sized fizzy drinks now, I need a wee as soon as I look at them so I avoid them in the cinema but lots of people do get them.

Disasterclass · 01/12/2025 05:56

I go to the cinema a lot and have noticed an increase in people going out mid film, presumably to the toilet. Some kids, but lots of adults. It used to be quite unusual but now seems like half the cinema is up and down throughout the film. It’s pretty annoying

b0mbayb1cycleclub · 01/12/2025 04:45

moana35 · 30/11/2025 20:19

Gross! Theatre etiquette is totally lost nowadays. We had a family in front of us at the theatre bring a massive flask of tomato soup about 30.mins into the show the mum got these little travel bowls out of her handbag and tipped soup from the flask into all the bowls and gave everyone one then gave everyone a crusty roll. One of the children was fidgeting and spilt her soup all over the lady in front. Family got told to leave but they had no idea that eating soup in tbe theatre is not a done thing!

Wtf??

RubyMentor · 01/12/2025 01:42

Very lazy parenting. Although when both my children started nursery they needed to be potty trained by 3 and they both were - now 27 & 24 and would be able to go to he toilet at this age - well by 3

CheeseIsMyIdol · 01/12/2025 00:45

moana35 · 30/11/2025 20:19

Gross! Theatre etiquette is totally lost nowadays. We had a family in front of us at the theatre bring a massive flask of tomato soup about 30.mins into the show the mum got these little travel bowls out of her handbag and tipped soup from the flask into all the bowls and gave everyone one then gave everyone a crusty roll. One of the children was fidgeting and spilt her soup all over the lady in front. Family got told to leave but they had no idea that eating soup in tbe theatre is not a done thing!

That is revolting. How were these people raised?!

CheeseIsMyIdol · 01/12/2025 00:44

AutumnLeavesFallingFast · 30/11/2025 23:10

IF I had a toddler that was terrified of the plane toilets (fortunately I haven't?) I would take them & the travel potty somewhere a bit more private than on a seat, but I wouldn't have any toddler anywhere near the floor of a plane toilet.

there are lots of unpleasant smells on flights,

Show quote history

If i were on a plane with someone letting their kid piss or shit outside the lavatory, I would raise hell up to and including requesting the captain exit the cockpit to assess the situation.
And I’d be getting compensation from the airline.

There is absolutely no excuse. Those unable to use the lavatory to eliminate or to change diapers need to stay home, drive or take a boat.

Alpacajigsaw · 30/11/2025 23:52

YANBU

absolutely revolting

TartanMammy · 30/11/2025 23:49

AutumnLeavesFallingFast · 30/11/2025 23:10

IF I had a toddler that was terrified of the plane toilets (fortunately I haven't?) I would take them & the travel potty somewhere a bit more private than on a seat, but I wouldn't have any toddler anywhere near the floor of a plane toilet.

there are lots of unpleasant smells on flights,

Show quote history

Honestly you think a toddler taking a shit in the middle of a full plane (or theatre) is fine because there are 'lots of unpleasant smells.' I'm sorry but it's absolutely revolting. Use the toilet, don't flush if the child is scared, flush after they've left the bathroom.

In the theatre scenario, what about hand washing? What if the child misses the bottle or over filled it and it spilled that's a health hazard. Funny how it's only young boys that can do this, girls would be expected to use the toilet like a normal human being.

CheeseIsMyIdol · 30/11/2025 23:25

Absolutely disgusting and inappropriate. There is no reason a child of that age needs to be at the theatre detracting from others’ experience.

Original poster
Didimum · 30/11/2025 23:15

AutumnLeavesFallingFast · 30/11/2025 22:37

Yes, 'blimey, really' just about sums it up!

especially as there was only the one child, much more difficult if she had several she would have had to take too. Still wouldn't do it myself though.

I wasn't saying YOU were horrified, lots of others have been!

Show quote history

I do take my little boy for hidden bush wees, I’ll admit, when he’s desperate. Increasingly less as he gets older though.

I HATE men pissing in the street, so I suppose I shouldn’t normalise it for him. But when you’re frazzled, you’re frazzled.

OP posts: