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.

That is top tier! 🤣

Was going to suggest a euphonium, but the organ trumps it. Possibly literally.

A long time ago I nannied for a fancy family in Switzerland (all the kids played the Piano and sometimes all 3 would be going as 3 practiced at the same time), one of the kids also did the harp and it was like playing Tetris trying to fit that thing in the car!

The mum I think of fondly is the slightly eccentric friend of a friend. I had found my 14 year old vaped and was angsting over it (cringe now). She said not only did her dd vape but she was a vape dealer. Every teen misdemeanour I mentioned she countered that her dd was 10 times worse. It was very refreshing!

Blinking heck: how big was the parents car? You need a small horse box for both of those 🤯🤣

If you have to take your own polo pony to school, you know you’ve made it in life eh!

If your school has equestrian facilities, you’ve definitely made it in life!!

Oh I love stuff like this. I once witnessed a very competitive “cheese off” at the deli counter when a new Waitrose opened near my student house.

Don't know if it's already been mentioned but a cello would be quite on par with a harp methinks . Or you could refer to their wealth manager for the trust fund .

Well my primary school aged daughter is working towards Grade 8 digeridoo, and came first in a national triangle tinkling competition.

Irritating, isn't it.
You get these everywhere.
Mothers with perfect children, top grades etc etc
I regularly witnessed such conversations in the coffee room at work.

And how is their Mandarin coming along?

Not at all posh…but I did play harp as a child and have a harp…I’m contemplating teaching my kids…it hadn’t occurred to me it might be a social signal 🤣

Sorry I realise I sound ridiculous. I know it looks and sounds posh…but I’m not and I genuinely hadn’t thought about me teaching the kids and then mentioning it to others and how that might be perceived.

That’s exactly what I was thinking cows!! Those were the days! Thank you OP, great thread!

@UpperLowerMiddleClass go on… what’s the county? I bet it’s mine…. !!

Fuck me. I went a whole decade of adulthood without owning a table.

Noooo definitely not!

😆 A pipe organ? "We have to hire a removals van when Ophelia has practice..."

Yes, I'm nosy, and I want to write so I like listening for inspiration on trains. Agatha Christie got the idea for The Mysterious Affair at Styles on a bus, I'm sure others have too.

Can't play Turangalila without one!

Well that's the School music festival cancelled then unless we go for the second choice harpist or that bassoon blowing 5th year. Had forgotten about that composition.

One of my friends is a harpist and drives a Honda Jazz as it has excellent boot capacity for a harp when you put the back seats down. We bonded over this as I also had a Honda jazz at the time and was amazed by its capacity despite its size 😂.

Ah yes, but not so easy when you have children in the car to take to harp lessons. I could only fit one harp in the car with my children so had to use the teacher's second harp as a second harp for their lesson.

Aw thank you. I’ve been around here awhile and take that as high praise indeed.