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Original poster

Pramspreading - anyone noticed it recently?

101 replies

TinyTear · 23/01/2023 09:37

Recently I have been noticing this phenomenon and was wondering if I am the only one. I call it "Pramspreading" and it's 95% done by men... (totally anecdotally)

When a man, showing off his manly long legs and stride takes his child for a stroll... but because of his manly long legs can't possibly walk behind the pram like a normal person... oh nooooo!

The pram goes on his SIDE, while he holds it with a (manly) hand and on the other hand is usually a coffee or the phone...
So this long legged manly man takes over twice as much space on the pavement because of his side pram... Pramspreading...

Is this a phenomenon local to me?

OP posts:
Ursula82 · 23/01/2023 11:17

Lockheart · 23/01/2023 11:16

I see it on trains. Parents taking up a whole block of four seats because they don't want to put the pram in the luggage rack or vestibule.

There was a cracking example on the tube yesterday. End carriage, two parents sat at the door-side end of two rows of seats, pram between them blocking the walkway, and eight empty seats between them and the end of the carriage. They'd blocked themselves off a whole little section and seemed most affronted when anyone wanted to sit in the seats.

I would positively and actively relish asking them to move their shit so I could sit in one of the 8 seats

Vallmo47 · 23/01/2023 11:25

For the posters who truly don’t understand why this is a bug bear, are you often pedestrians during school runs for example? It’s not the pram or the man’s long legs that’s the problem clearly, but the fact that he takes up double the space on the pavement …. I’ve actually never seen this but I can totally relate as a pedestrian. If the man stopped and stood behind the buggy so others could pass, no issue right?

I haven’t seen this but things that really peeve me off include:

  • People walking 2 or 3 people side by side completely blocking the path for others. No issue if they attempt to make themselves single file, but many look at you and do nothing.
  • When cars are parked more than half way onto the curb so you cannot get through with a mobility scooter/pushchair.
  • When people drive past you at great speed and splash big muddy puddles onto you and your kids - I’ve seen many laugh loudly while doing this. You think it’s funny, but sometimes I have an hour left to walk in the rain. You try it and see how funny it is.
Don’t worry Op, I’ve got your back. The common denominator is: people are wankers.
Username24680 · 23/01/2023 11:26

I have been known to do this on occasion but I feel like an absolute idiot doing it 😂😂

In my case, it’s when DS is napping in the pram and the sun is still hitting his face if the sun is quite low 🤣 I use myself to block the sun 🤣

I’m afraid if I’ve had to resort to a pram nap in a last ditch effort to save my sanity then I’ll do whatever I need to to protect the nap 🤣 so walking like a twat it is 🙈🤣 in fairness though, it’s usually around my quiet little town and I’d always move for other people lol

BabyHobnob · 23/01/2023 11:27

My husband pushes the pushchair like this! I have never questioned why, but he doesn't have anything in his free hand so it's definitely not on account of being or wanting to look busy or important 🤣 he is tall and has a long stride so legs being in the way makes sense.. he likes to let go and pull faces at our toddler (front facing) so I always assumed it was that! Oh and he always trips over the central brake so that's probably a reason too!!

In his defence, he only does it where there is room, so you being annoyed by it is totally on you, as he wouldn't actually be in your way!!

BabyHobnob · 23/01/2023 11:28

Username24680 · 23/01/2023 11:26

I have been known to do this on occasion but I feel like an absolute idiot doing it 😂😂

In my case, it’s when DS is napping in the pram and the sun is still hitting his face if the sun is quite low 🤣 I use myself to block the sun 🤣

I’m afraid if I’ve had to resort to a pram nap in a last ditch effort to save my sanity then I’ll do whatever I need to to protect the nap 🤣 so walking like a twat it is 🙈🤣 in fairness though, it’s usually around my quiet little town and I’d always move for other people lol

Oh yes I've been a human sunscreen in the past too!!

Beachbreak2411 · 23/01/2023 11:34

I’ve noticed it for years where I live… and I bloody hate it!! Also found with shopping trollies; possibly both intended to “scream” “look at me.. aren’t I wonderful pushing my child / doing the shopping”

Treetrim · 23/01/2023 11:36

Ursula82 · 23/01/2023 09:40

🙄

No Op. I haven’t noticed this.

Why? Because I don’t spend my life actively seeking out things to be annoyed about. And when I perhaps find one example of something, I extrapolate from it that’s it’s a “thing” a “trend” etc

Except for seeking out posts to be annoyed about 😆

CatJumperTwat · 23/01/2023 11:37

Treetrim · 23/01/2023 11:36

Except for seeking out posts to be annoyed about 😆

Show quote history

Or extrapolating from one post that somebody spends their life actively seeking out things to be annoyed about Grin

DuckBored · 23/01/2023 11:44

My DF use to do this when we went out walks together and he was pushing DGC’s pram. It gave me the rage as our pram had great height adjustment for shortie me and tall DH and my DF was between us height wise so I had no idea why he wouldn’t just push the bloody pram properly. Turned out he was being very sweet and blocking the sun from his DCG’s precious face which softened my heart a little bit totally I still got a bit irrational ragy feeling at the side pushing

mondaytosunday · 23/01/2023 11:46

No, I have never seen this. There was a number of men this morning actually in the freezing cold at the park. All walking with their pushchairs in front as normal.

Minniem2020 · 23/01/2023 11:53

Yep. Myself and DD like to spend car journeys pointing them out

Original poster
TinyTear · 23/01/2023 11:53

wow never thought I would get these many replies!

thanks everyone for the differing views, yes, even yours, and I see why there might be a reasoning...

still doesn't make it less annoying in a busy high street with smallish pavements or in a busy mall...

OP posts:
Original poster
TinyTear · 23/01/2023 11:53

Minniem2020 · 23/01/2023 11:53

Yep. Myself and DD like to spend car journeys pointing them out

Grin beats a game of 'find a cute doggy'

OP posts:
Bunchamunchacarrots · 23/01/2023 12:00

Surely this is just regular manspreading? Men taking up more space than they need to, because they feel entitled to.

Starts early too. Recently went for a walk around a local forest and noticed the phenomenon of young boys riding their bikes too fast and too close to my 3 year old DD on shared paths. Not a single girl or woman felt the need to do this.

CallieQ · 23/01/2023 12:01

Is everyone on MN perimenopausal

Original poster
TinyTear · 23/01/2023 12:03

CallieQ · 23/01/2023 12:01

Is everyone on MN perimenopausal

Don't know about everyone else but in my early 50s I definitely am... want to see my HRT prescription?

OP posts:
Howeverdoyouneedme · 23/01/2023 12:08

A thing round here. Are you in E. London?

BAGDD · 23/01/2023 12:21

Never heard of it nor seen it myself but DEFINITELY does not surprise me 😂 bloody men!

BankOfDave · 23/01/2023 12:26

Impressive arm strength. My pushchair was usually laden down with all sorts of baggage and only by putting my weight and 2 arms behind it with some momentum did the bugger go in the direction I wanted. You can’t get up/down kerbs with one arm unless you’re iron (wo)man.

I never called my a stroller as it was definitely not for ‘strolling’.

SlouchingTowardsBethlehemAgain · 23/01/2023 12:27

Its definitely a thing. I thought they did it to show how strong they are - wankers.

Krakenes · 23/01/2023 12:28

I am very short - 160cms. I do this with the yo-yo pram, find it more comfortable. Can’t do it with the bigger pram though, it’s too heavy. Didn’t realise it was so controversial!!!

Voice0fReason · 23/01/2023 12:30

I'm very tall and have a long stride. I tried out dozens of different prams and pushchairs to find one that suited me but even the ones with extendable handles were uncomfortable to use. I'd constantly kick the back of the pram and the brake. I had to work out a different style of walking to manage it. I can understand why walking to the side might be easier for some people.

Harry12345 · 23/01/2023 12:33

Yes it’s like it’s not manly to push it with two hands lol

AutumnScream · 23/01/2023 12:37

The handles being too low is such a bullshit excuse. Most prams have adjustable handles now and also dads are just as responsible for buying a suitable pram.

Original poster
TinyTear · 23/01/2023 12:40

Howeverdoyouneedme · 23/01/2023 12:08

A thing round here. Are you in E. London?

London but North and West (including Westfield shepherd bush)

OP posts:
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