Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Just got shouted at in a coffee shop for coughing in public 🥴

894 replies

wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 15:47

I know I’m not being unreasonable here but I just need some reassurance! I was in a coffee shop after popping to the shops and got a tickle in my throat. I’ve had a cold all week but nothing too severe. I coughed and next thing I know an old man is shouting at me that I’m being selfish and should be self isolating at home, and “don’t I know the NHS is on its knees?!”

AIBU to think this is a total overreaction to a cough?!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
showmethegin · 20/12/2025 15:57

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 20/12/2025 15:54

I’d be pissed off if someone with a clear bug was coughing in a space near others. It’s selfish germ-spreading, whether you like hearing that or not. He shouldn’t be shouting though.

Edited

Do you want the country to shut down every winter? Catching colds is part of living in a society. Obviously I wouldn’t be impressed with someone intentionally spreading flu or covid, but a cold? As someone else stated, your health anxiety is your issue alone

LadyKenya · 20/12/2025 15:56

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 20/12/2025 15:54

I’d be pissed off if someone with a clear bug was coughing in a space near others. It’s selfish germ-spreading, whether you like hearing that or not. He shouldn’t be shouting though.

Edited

This. Go to a park, if that desperate to get out, not a coffee shop, full of people, when clearly still ill, and liable to spread whatever bug they are harbouring.

Sesma · 20/12/2025 15:56

Maybe he should have stayed at home

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 15:56

NaranjaDreams · 20/12/2025 15:54

I don’t think I’d be hanging out on coffee shops less than a week before Christmas with that, if I’m honest, people are not going to want your cough. It might not be logical but it’s predictable.

Show quote history

I’m allowed to grab a coffee on a cold afternoon after popping to the shops though? I’m not constantly coughing, I didn’t expect it to come on while I was in the cafe.

OP posts:
UneAnneeSansLumiere · 20/12/2025 15:55

CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 20/12/2025 15:54

I’d be pissed off if someone with a clear bug was coughing in a space near others. It’s selfish germ-spreading, whether you like hearing that or not. He shouldn’t be shouting though.

Edited

The world doesn't revolve around people with health anxiety.

NaranjaDreams · 20/12/2025 15:54

wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 15:53

It’s definitely not a nice cough but also, is a cough ever nice? It sounds a lot chestier than it is because thanks to ongoing sinus issues I get post nasal drip from even the most minor of hay fever.

Show quote history

I don’t think I’d be hanging out on coffee shops less than a week before Christmas with that, if I’m honest, people are not going to want your cough. It might not be logical but it’s predictable.

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 15:54

LadyKenya · 20/12/2025 15:53

I would not dream of shouting at someone coughing, but the amount of Adults who seem incapable of covering their mouths, when they cough, or sneeze is something to behold.

As I’ve said, I covered my mouth.

OP posts:
CalmTheFuckDownMargaret · 20/12/2025 15:54

I’d be pissed off if someone with a clear bug was coughing in a space near others. It’s selfish germ-spreading, whether you like hearing that or not. He shouldn’t be shouting though.

UneAnneeSansLumiere · 20/12/2025 15:54

He was absolutely absurd. He must think we're still in 2020. What an idiot. He should stay at home if he's so nervous.

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 15:54

showmethegin · 20/12/2025 15:53

Eh? I get a lingering cold for weeks sometimes after a cold, should I just isolate for weeks everytime my toddler brings something home?

Show quote history

Exactly this! I get lingering coughs and my nose almost constantly runs so I don’t know what I can do

OP posts:
LadyKenya · 20/12/2025 15:53

I would not dream of shouting at someone coughing, but the amount of Adults who seem incapable of covering their mouths, when they cough, or sneeze is something to behold.

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 15:53

liverpoolnana · 20/12/2025 15:52

I don't know how we can say, really, without hearing the cough. I mean, there's dainty ones because of a tickle, and full-on 'smokers' hacking', isn't there. (Not that I'm saying you are a smoker).

It’s definitely not a nice cough but also, is a cough ever nice? It sounds a lot chestier than it is because thanks to ongoing sinus issues I get post nasal drip from even the most minor of hay fever.

OP posts:
showmethegin · 20/12/2025 15:53

LadyKenya · 20/12/2025 15:51

You sound like you are still harbouring a cold, and should stay at home.

Eh? I get a lingering cold for weeks sometimes after a cold, should I just isolate for weeks everytime my toddler brings something home?

liverpoolnana · 20/12/2025 15:52

I don't know how we can say, really, without hearing the cough. I mean, there's dainty ones because of a tickle, and full-on 'smokers' hacking', isn't there. (Not that I'm saying you are a smoker).

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 15:52

LadyKenya · 20/12/2025 15:51

You sound like you are still harbouring a cold, and should stay at home.

Life doesn’t work that way, unfortunately. You can’t coop yourself up in your house every time you get a cold. I would be going insane.

OP posts:
LadyKenya · 20/12/2025 15:51

You sound like you are still harbouring a cold, and should stay at home.

RhaenysRocks · 20/12/2025 15:51

Oh course he was being ridiculous. That's it really.

Original poster
wildgreyocean · 20/12/2025 15:50

HundredMilesAnHour · 20/12/2025 15:49

Did you cover your mouth when you were coughing and turn away so you weren’t coughing over anyone (or their drinks / food)?

Yes, of course. I covered my mouth with my elbow and was sat at a table alone. I didn’t cough on anyone’s drinks.

OP posts:
HundredMilesAnHour · 20/12/2025 15:49

Did you cover your mouth when you were coughing and turn away so you weren’t coughing over anyone (or their drinks / food)?

Swipe left for the next trending thread