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AIBU?

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To be disappointed with how soft play handled this man

767 replies

Playcomment · 10/06/2026 15:59

I reported an inappropriate sexual comment made by another parent at a soft play area yesterday.

I was climbing down from one of the raised areas with my DS and didn’t realise he was climbing up. I said a polite sorry and he replied not to worry and that if he knew his £10 entry included him getting an arse in his face he would have visited months ago. I challenged him and then reported to staff.

The staff approached me 10/15 minutes later to say they’d spoken to him and he had admitted saying that but was ‘obviously joking’ and he relayed his apologies, so they considered the matter sorted.

Personally, I think he should have been asked to leave. He made me feel extremely uncomfortable and could have gone on to say similar to other parents present.

OP posts:
Tillow4ever · 10/06/2026 16:50

Jeez. I’m usually of the opinion the man is in the wrong and give the woman the benefit of the doubt, but fuck me you’ve made that impossible this time.

It was a joke to break the ice in an awkward situation. I would have laughed then probably sat chatting with him whilst the kids played.

Playcomment · 10/06/2026 16:48

Kokonimater · 10/06/2026 16:47

It is NOT FUNNY. It’s inappropriate and disrespectful. Glad you told him. And he was challenged.

It seems you are in the minority…I’ll have to accept that making a facesitting comment in front of kids is perfectly normal next time I go 🙄

OP posts:
Ethelspagetti · 10/06/2026 16:48

I would have laughed! Not reported him!

Mischance · 10/06/2026 16:47

I agree - nothing more to do or say.

Kokonimater · 10/06/2026 16:47

It is NOT FUNNY. It’s inappropriate and disrespectful. Glad you told him. And he was challenged.

Kevinbaconsrealwife · 10/06/2026 16:46

PinkMagnoliaTree · 10/06/2026 16:01

I mean I would of laughed at that sorry 😂

Me too

takealettermsjones · 10/06/2026 16:45

Well, this thread has given me some laughs! "Be careful where you put your arse in future" is my fave 🤣🤣🤣

I also want to know about the junk near the bin scenario??

Erin1975 · 10/06/2026 16:44

This is a generational thing isn't it. What would have been an acceptable joke 20 years ago is now unacceptable and offensive.

Fatiguedwithlife · 10/06/2026 16:44

Imagine if you had sat on his face, he could have had you removed for assaulting him.

Happyjoe · 10/06/2026 16:43

We all have levels of acceptability. I do think he meant it as a joke but yeah, not all that funny.
Don't think could ask him to leave over one comment though and he apologised.

Pinkchickenwine · 10/06/2026 16:42

wrinklycactus · 10/06/2026 16:32

I would have also been really unhappy to hear a comment like that in a soft play (or anywhere really). I'm a bit surprised so many posters are telling you that you are being ridiculous.

It's obviously not OK for a man to say something like that to a woman.

I'm glad he was challenged, but the fact he said he was 'obviously joking' means he didn't really take it seriously. It was basically a 'cheer up love' sort of response.

Fact is, it's an inappropriate comment, especially at a soft play, he made you feel uncomfortable and vulnerable, and sexualised you.

And a woman would not have said that to a man, or another woman.

I'm interested in how he responded to you when you challenged him?

Do you think the children at soft play would’ve heard or understood?

Shhhhitsmagic · 10/06/2026 16:42

I would have found this funny, it's just banter!
It's no wonder people are scared to speak these days for fear of offending people

bigboykitty · 10/06/2026 16:42

Jenkibuble · 10/06/2026 16:41

Harsh to get him to leave - his kid/s would have suffered .

Think you're being a bit OTT. He was challenged by staff , so hopefully he won't repeat in future !

If his kids suffered, that would have been his fault.

Jenkibuble · 10/06/2026 16:41

Playcomment · 10/06/2026 15:59

I reported an inappropriate sexual comment made by another parent at a soft play area yesterday.

I was climbing down from one of the raised areas with my DS and didn’t realise he was climbing up. I said a polite sorry and he replied not to worry and that if he knew his £10 entry included him getting an arse in his face he would have visited months ago. I challenged him and then reported to staff.

The staff approached me 10/15 minutes later to say they’d spoken to him and he had admitted saying that but was ‘obviously joking’ and he relayed his apologies, so they considered the matter sorted.

Personally, I think he should have been asked to leave. He made me feel extremely uncomfortable and could have gone on to say similar to other parents present.

Harsh to get him to leave - his kid/s would have suffered .

Think you're being a bit OTT. He was challenged by staff , so hopefully he won't repeat in future !

ginasevern · 10/06/2026 16:40

Of course the poor man was only joking, they always are! We should all lighten up (just like we used to in the 1950's) and accept it for the totally innocent, non demeaning and hilarious male banter that it is. Nothing wrong with that is there.

VIII · 10/06/2026 16:40

wrinklycactus · 10/06/2026 16:37

I don't think many women would have made a joke implying that they found it a nice experience to come close up with a stranger's arse and would have paid for it.

If have probably said you should at least buy me a drink first or something similar but the op would probably have found that uncomfortable too.

It really is a mountain out of a mole hill.

Newyearawaits · 10/06/2026 16:39

applebee33 · 10/06/2026 16:20

Oh for god sake give it over ! I would have laughed at this obvious joke. I thought this was going to be about some creepy man talking to kids. Why are people so bloody precious these days .

This
A cheery joke on a miserable day.

Paisleybuddy · 10/06/2026 16:38

PinkMagnoliaTree · 10/06/2026 16:01

I mean I would of laughed at that sorry 😂

I would have too.

BleedinglyObvious · 10/06/2026 16:37

I don't think you should go there again @Playcomment , it obviously attracts a certain type.

wrinklycactus · 10/06/2026 16:37

VIII · 10/06/2026 16:34

And a woman would not have said that to a man, or another woman.

I'm pretty sure most people would have made a similar sort of comment in that situation. It's pretty normal to make comments to ease the tension when you find yourself in uncomfortable situations.

I don't think many women would have made a joke implying that they found it a nice experience to come close up with a stranger's arse and would have paid for it.

Newusernameforthiss · 10/06/2026 16:37

Sorry that's hilarious!! Think he handled it very well given you'd just shoved your arse in face... I mean HE could have been offended by that!

The self checkout had a problem in Mini Tesco and the guy helped me by bringing two melons over. I said "nice pair" would you ban me too??

moderateme · 10/06/2026 16:36

HelenHywater · 10/06/2026 16:30

OP it's not funny or appropriate. I'm with you.

All the cool girls on this thread are unbelievable.

Dismissing the fact that 92% of people disagree with you by calling them all 'cool girls' is the thing that's unbelievable.

OriginalUsername2 · 10/06/2026 16:35

That cheeky banter where I’m from, not sexual harassment. You didn’t like it, he apologised. I think that’s fair.

Newusername0 · 10/06/2026 16:35

Men are disgusting and I’ve had some awful things said to me, but I wouldn’t have been bothered by this comment.

It wasn’t made personal to you in anyway, he didn’t comment on you physically, or make suggestions about you. It was a comical, indirect suggestion that he quite likes an arse in the face 😂😂

I don’t personally see the offence. But the soft play did discuss it with him, you received an apology and you should move on.

VIII · 10/06/2026 16:34

And a woman would not have said that to a man, or another woman.

I'm pretty sure most people would have made a similar sort of comment in that situation. It's pretty normal to make comments to ease the tension when you find yourself in uncomfortable situations.