There’s a very mumsnet conversation happening on my train…

[UpperLowerMiddleClass]

Two mums discussing their primary school aged children. Distinct frenemy vibes. Of course it goes without saying their initial conversation covered just how well their children are doing academically.

Discussion then moved on to extra curricular activities. Mum A proudly saying what grade piano her daughter is doing, how she’s playing violin in the school orchestra etc, when Mum B pulls out a trump card - her daughter is excelling at the harp! But it’s all such a bother, wouldn’t you know? The logistics of transporting the harp, the cost of replacement strings etc.

Mum A tries to rally with a swerve towards sports and there’s mention of her son making the school hockey team. But I can tell her heart’s not really in it. Deep down she knows she can’t compete with the travails of harp logistics. Mum B has won this round.

And before anyone asks why I’m being so nosy, or why I have nothing better to do: Their conversation is LOUD and PROJECTING. I can’t ignore them. I’d love to be immersed in my book but instead I’m now learning all about the intricacies of harp upkeep and maintenance.

This is what headphones are for

Are they from Wales as learning harp in primary school here is a more common occurrence. National instrument

Nope. Very much in south east England, and no signs of Welsh accents..

As a child I wanted to play cello instead of violin (pah, not allowed) but I should have aimed higher! Now I want to learn to play the harp 😂

I'm struggling to think what could trump a harp!
Maybe the child has raised money for a vicuña sanctuary?

I love these conversations! I was on the train the other week and a very glamorous older woman was discussing her seemingly chaotic children/family plus where she was off to that day. I’d have loved to have heard more 😂

Love it!

One of my work colleagues has a harp in the background of her teams calls from home - we are all v impressed and it’s a nice alternative from the Lego models, tasteful shelf ornaments or racks of guitars that we see more often.

Ha!
Spectacularly missing the point there.

Poor Hockey Mum - nothing can trump a harp.

Unless maybe donating a kidney?

I'm struggling to think what could trump a harp!

The organ.

Ha, this is brilliant, love a good earwigging.
Harp indeed 😁

Hahahaha! Brilliant!

I am shocked. You said south east, does that mean there are trains running on a Sunday. Surely more significant than learning the harp.

When im on a train bus or any other thing or place, and mums start banging on about their kids, earphones go in or I move as far away as I can.

However if someone is having high words or arguing earphones stay in but switch off I want to hear that that gossip.

Horses. Not just one. Stabled near the lower field. Such an annoying trudge up from there when it's time to do homework ...

I need more info op. Can you describe their outfits? I love eavesdropping in those conversations. And adding Kardashian type sound effects.

I love listening in to other people's conversations, this one sounds brilliant.

Not much beats a harp. The never ending bother of swimming pool upkeep perhaps? Or the horses getting into a scrape and needing a vet once a week?

Lol, so do I but is my child who plays it while I steal assumed credit via Teams background 😂

Ok, what about a tabla. When both families have zero connection to India?

@UpperLowerMiddleClass Have neither of them mentioned their child's Royal Ballet School ambitions yet?

But a harp IS a pain in the arse to transport 🤷‍♂️

The local state schools here (Essex) learning to play the harp, violin, guitar, recorder etc is pretty standard but lugging a harp around is difficult.

I was at a primary school music performance afternoon a few years ago - most kids were on the piano, there was one excruciating violin performance and then to finish off, a girl on double bass accompanied by her sister on the harp. Blew everyone out of the water. Harp is definitely top, maybe the double bass is second?

Loving this thread, hilarious 😆

But how big are their dundars?