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School Playground Etiquette

4 replies

ButterflyOfFreedom · 05/07/2021 17:22

This is kind of lighthearted - I think I'm out of practice or maybe just socially inept! - but just wanted to get some views on what fellow mums do in the school playground at drop off / pick up in this situation.

So you arrive in the playground. See some friends / acquaintances/ school mums you know. They're stood in a little group, chatting. You make a beeline for them to say hi etc. They're having a conversation and don't stop when they see you (which is fine), but then what do you do?? I can't join in the conversation as I don't know what they're talking about... no one has acknowledged me... I don't want to interrupt ... I stand there like a fool!

This has happened a couple of times. I feel rude if I'm in the playground and don't go up to the people I know and do want to have 'fellow mum friends' but spend most of the time hanging around on the edge of a group / conversation saying nothing and feeling awkward!

OP posts:
evtheria · 05/07/2021 17:27

That’s weird of them - if it was a confidential convo I wouldn’t stand in playground having it, so I know I (and the other mums I ‘gather’ with) would pause to say ‘oh hiya, Butterfly, we’re just talking about xxxx..’

Maybe just as you join them say a breezy “hello, everyone!” - they can’t ignore that, can they?

You’re not being socially inept, it sounds like they are.

Mintjulia · 05/07/2021 17:30

To be honest, they sound quite unfriendly. It's normal to say hello...make people feel welcome etc.

ButterflyOfFreedom · 05/07/2021 20:33

Thanks.
I do generally say hi... sometimes I get an acknowledgement but not always. I am quite quiet sometimes, probably more introverted than most of them which may be a factor...
Maybe I'll have to start saying hi louder!!

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ElderMillennial · 05/07/2021 20:34

I wouldn't go over to them if that's the reception you get

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