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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have had this argument with a woman in Weatherspoons today?

554 replies

OnEdge · 11/01/2011 19:32

I tok my 18 week and 18 month old into Weatherspoons this morning. The lift was out of order so I ended up leaving the baby in the buggy, unstrapping my son and taking him a level (4 steps) to the bar to order my coffee. I took my son because had I left him strapped in the buggy he would have started arching his back and becoming agitated. The buggy was only about 12 feet away from where I was standing at the bar. My boy was toddling about, within a few feet of me while I waited to be served. A lady bought a coffee and was walking past me to her table with it, I saw my son walk round a large pillar and could possibley walk into her path. I warned the lady and said "oooh ! careful" and pointed my son. She walked past him and said loudly "He shouldn't be walking about !"

So I followed her to her seat and asked her why my son should not walk about.

Her "Its not me that says it, its this place."

Me "But YOU said it, what do you expect me to do with him when I place my order ?"

Her "Can't you strap him in a buggy?"

Me "No I will not strap my child down for your convenience>"

Her "I didn't want to step on him"

Me "All you had to do was look where you were going, I warned you he was there."

and then it carried on for another 2 minutes.

So, was I BU ????

I'm gonna get slaughtered, but I am intrigued as to whether or not you think I was out of order.

OP posts:
CurlyhairedAssassin · 12/01/2011 09:34

Christ, OnEdge is a nurse......

TandB · 12/01/2011 09:34

Hang on a second. Didn't the OP say she didn't know what pfb means because she is new?

But she knows about Valhalla's"precious dogs".

Wind up.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 12/01/2011 09:36

Problem is, I KNOW it's a windup yet I'm still drawn-in to the whole bloody argument, imaginary or otherwise!!! AAAARRRRGHHH!!!

Oh well, off to work now...

belgo · 12/01/2011 09:41

Is it really a wind up?

I thought OnEdge was a genuine poster.

Muira · 12/01/2011 09:45

You followed her to her table? Hell, anyone would think she'd spilled her hot coffee over your child or something!

Back off, crazy. YABVVVU

Hmm
Muira · 12/01/2011 09:45

Aw, was it a windup? Lucky I only read one page!

tomhardyismydh · 12/01/2011 09:52

is this a wind up? im not sure it is tbh.

diddl · 12/01/2011 10:12

"diddl, the baby was alone 'but only 12 feet away' iirc."

Steps away to get a lifeBlush

Jins · 12/01/2011 10:36

I thought that children weren't allowed in the bar area due to licensing laws. All the Wetherspoons I've been in have had clear signs saying that is the case and have marked the floor to show the bar area.

So you shouldn't have taken your child to the bar in the first place.

Old lady was right!

MistletoeMush · 12/01/2011 10:36

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MistletoeMush · 12/01/2011 10:37

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MistletoeMush · 12/01/2011 10:37

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MistletoeMush · 12/01/2011 10:38

Thought I'd try a new tact with this one. As you were.

ChickensAreFlyingUnderTheRadar · 12/01/2011 10:40

I walked past my local Weatherspoons this morning because of this thread. Still populated by drunk elderly people.

Lonnie · 12/01/2011 10:43

I am with you right up until you walk after her and confront her.

after that YABU you need to learn to pick your battles and if some stranger thinks you should parent in one way or the other thats a battle to leave..

TandB · 12/01/2011 10:57

Chickens - I hope you watched out for rambling toddlers....

Ephiny · 12/01/2011 11:08

Agree, you can't go following and harassing people like that over a throwaway comment, that's aggressive and slightly scary behaviour. You should have just let it go at that point.

lemonmuffin · 12/01/2011 11:26

Op, you were totally totally unreasonable.

And you were lucky she was so polite when you followed her to her table and harrassed her. I'd have been livid and you certainly would have know it.

lemonmuffin · 12/01/2011 11:26

known

HelenBa · 12/01/2011 12:04

YABU

allfurcoatandnoknicks · 12/01/2011 12:13

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corns1lky · 12/01/2011 12:23

was the Wetherspoons in Manchester? Apparently that's shit as well.

noddyholder · 12/01/2011 12:27

YABU but then I think all parents of toddlers should keep the chained to their sides in cafes and not even bring them into restaurants at all!Of course this is because my ds is 16 now and I find any little person interrupting my time annoying.

cory · 12/01/2011 12:45

OnEdge, I come from one of those nice accommodating child friendly cultures and I can assure you that it rests very firmly on one thing: parents keeping control of their children and children being trained to sit nicely at the table when the occasion demands

it is all about planning: if you are taking an 18mo into a place where he will need to sit still you make sure he gets to stretch his legs first

if you need him to stand still by your side, you start a conversation with him the moment before you get to the bar

etc etc

the work is done by the parent, not by the bystanders

I am all in favour of children being taken to weddings and funerals and pubs and restaurants

but it depends on parents who are prepared to put in the bloody hard work of constantly interacting with them to keep them from getting under other people's feet

Quenelle · 12/01/2011 12:49

So if this post was a wind up what was the point?

Is it to get an AIBU with loads of posts?

I don't get it.