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Original poster

To wonder why people are like this

119 replies

DuckyMcDuck · 15/07/2021 19:24

DS2 (13) currently plays cricket at county level. He is the only squad member who doesn't go to a private school and all of his kit, bat, bag etc aren't one of the top brands and some comes from Sports Direct.

He's mentioned a few times that some of the boys make barbed comments about this and have teased him in the past about the fact he hasn't ever been skiing or hasn't got the newest trainers but we've always told him to ignore, that children can be mean etc and to Ds's credit, he hasn't seemed overly bothered.

So I went to collect him from training last night as DH was working and stood waiting with the other parents. As DS came out, two women and a man who, obviously not recognising me, were saying some really nasty things about him, along the lines of 'well here comes the charity case' and very obviously laughing at him.

They went very quiet when they realised who I was and did have the grace to look sheepish but I honestly don't understand why they feel the need to be so mean about a child. It's obvious they must say stuff at home which has been picked by by their children.

I'm not sure why I'm posting really as I'm not sure that anyone is going to admit being like that towards a child and so I won't get an answer my question.

OP posts:
toffeebutterpopcorn · 15/07/2021 19:26

They are dicks. Quite honestly, dicks.

30degreesandmeltinghere · 15/07/2021 19:28

What utter twats...
I hope your ds continues to play. You need to practice your resting bitch face op.

Leftphalange · 15/07/2021 19:29

The ones making these comments are privileged entitled wankers and unfortunately this is rubbing off on their children.

Ignore them- you keep going as you are!

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Teenyton · 15/07/2021 19:29

That's disgusting behaviour. Some people just feel better about themselves by belittling others op. They must have issues going on to feel satisfied by being mean to a child. They probably have nothing else to feel good about themselves. For some reasons it's often the newly rich who behave this way... Or the ones who sport range rovers bought on credit.

mbosnz · 15/07/2021 19:31

Utter scumbuckets, how dare they.

MsDFye · 15/07/2021 19:32

Bloody hell that's awful. Have you considered speaking to the cricket club or coach about it?

toffeebutterpopcorn · 15/07/2021 19:32

Thing is - DS goes to a rather fancy private school. The kids get their (not uniform) sports clothes from shops like Decathlon (I know because when they were younger you’d often get someone else’s dirty laundry back after trips).

I’ve only met one mum like that (a very vinegar-mouthed German mum who never had a nice thing to say about anyone or anything, and that included her own husband and kids).

rubbletrouble · 15/07/2021 19:32

I would think they are very insecure or have issues with themselves to feel the need to be so vile to another, let alone a child and let alone it being something as ridiculous as wealth.
They are clearly just horrible people, I hope your DS continues to play and does great at it,

drpet49 · 15/07/2021 19:33

I would alert the club to these comments. That is disgusting behaviour from the parents.

MaMelon · 15/07/2021 19:35

Because they are ignorant arseholes raised by ignorant arseholes who beget ignorant children.

Sadly, some adults never grow emotionally or mentally and take some sort of perverted delight in belittling others to make themselves feel big. My FIL was your son in the late forties/early 50 - he was an incredibly bright boy who got a scholarship to a very good private school and was bullied and belittled for exactly the same reasons. He grew up to be very successful but never forgot these people, and as a result treated everyone he met in exactly the same way - politely, kindly and with impeccable manners. Unlike these arseholes.

I’m glad they had the decency to look sheepish. Make sure you acknowledge them with a very pointed ‘hello, how are you’ every time you see them and watch them squirm! I hope you’re ok, that’s a horrible thing to be on the receiving end of - and well fed one to your son for not being bothered by it all, that shows a strength of character you can be proud of.

NeepNeepNeep · 15/07/2021 19:35

It's bullying from the parents and kids. Please report.

MaMelon · 15/07/2021 19:36

*well done

tigger1001 · 15/07/2021 19:36

Some people are just horrible. Feel for both you and your son, op.

I would have a word with the coach as it would be a shame if these kinds of comments led to your son stopping

WhereDoILook · 15/07/2021 19:39

Next time....'well I guess you can't buy class'

Waxonwaxoff0 · 15/07/2021 19:45

I'd be confronting them and telling them what I think of them (snobby twats) to be honest but that's just me.

TheNestedIf · 15/07/2021 19:53

Because some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Sn0tnose · 15/07/2021 19:58

The other kids have all the best equipment and sportswear and go to a school where the facilities are likely to be better than at your average comp. They’ve got all those advantages but still aren’t playing any better than your son in his Sports Direct stuff. So what is it they’ve got to be proud of, exactly?

Original poster
DuckyMcDuck · 15/07/2021 19:59

Thank you, I was very, very tempted to say something but I didn't trust myself not to totally lose it and stoop to their level!

I guess I should feel sorry for being such horrible people and their kids for not knowing any better.

We were thinking of saying something to the coach but DS asked us not to as he said he didn't really care what they think.

I think when he moves on I will though because the English Cricket Board often bemoan the fact they don't get many state school players. A big part of that is a lack of space and facilities in many state schools and so cricket isn't played but I'm sure snobbery and similar bullying will be a factor too.

OP posts:
DowntonCrabby · 15/07/2021 20:04

No wonder their shitty kids have inherited the parents shitty attitude. How pathetic.

Your DS’s not really bothered attitude is more mature than most adults would manage, I hope it stays with him through life.

StormBaby · 15/07/2021 20:07

My eldest was very talented at cricket and had the exact same experience at the county club 15 years ago. We were from the local estate and everyone else drove in from posh villages. Shame because he stopped wanting to go eventually. I’m shocked you didn’t say anything, I’d have had to!!

ADialgaAteMyDog · 15/07/2021 20:11

Nasty, horrible people. I'd definitely complain to the club with the expectation some form of communication would go out decrying this behaviour.

Lindy2 · 15/07/2021 20:13

How shallow their lives must be. It's appalling that adults would behave like that.

I wouldn't have been able to ignore it. A comment about how disgracefully rude they are being, directly to their faces, might make them think a little bit.

WildJelly · 15/07/2021 20:15

Absolutely say something to the club! And name exactly which parents this was!

When DS used to play cricket he was very conscious about the brand of his kit (yes we did purchase the desired brands) when normally he wouldn't be bothered about where his clothes were from. I was also very aware that I was the only parent who couldn't pop the boot of my car from the driving seat. But comments like that just wouldn't have happened at the club he played at. There was one incident of unkind words from the other boys when DS was in Y6, we raised it with the coach and it was nipped in the bud. I am so angry on your behalf. Cricket should be available to all, not just those from a certain income bracket.

crosshatching · 15/07/2021 20:16

Can I come and shout at them for you? Some of the most impressive cricketers have come from non-posh backgrounds. Do they discriminate against other young people too?

Valhalla17 · 15/07/2021 20:19

Disgusting. You should have immediately said something to their faces. What a great example they're setting for their children. The apple never falls far....