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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be upset and angry with this leisure centre incident

30 replies

ThatllDoPig · 29/05/2011 19:27

Was playing badminton with 11 year old dd, early evening, while on the other side of the hall, separated by a screen (couldn't see over) a bunch of men playing five a side football. Luckily we were only all together in the hall for ten mins, but during that time I heard loud, excitable swearing, as they expressed themselves playing the game.
I didn't think it was ok, so I calmly mentioned to the receptionist as we were leaving later, what had happened, and perhaps next time that group make a booking, they could be reminded that other people use the leisure centre and to watch their language as there were children around.
I was told that this wasn't possible. When I asked why, expecting them to say there wasn't possible on the computer system or something, I was told that the centre 'just couldn't' with a shrug. This is a large centre that promotes lots of kid and family activities.

I'm really unhappy about this, I mean, how bad would the swearing have to get (affecting other people) before this isn't acceptable. Am I just old fashioned? WWYD next?

OP posts:
bluebobbin · 29/05/2011 19:30

Forget it. Presumably your 11yo knows all the words being used and knows that they are rude. Some people behave badly - it's just life. The receptionist is clearly not interested in doing anything outside the basics - again, there are plenty of people like this and understandably so for many reasons.

SandStorm · 29/05/2011 19:34

If you were that bothered by it why didn't you just pop your head round the screen and say " Excuse me lads, there's a child here. Tone it down would you?"

Chances are they would have been quite reasonable about it.

BooBooGlass · 29/05/2011 19:36

It's hardly the leisure centre's fault is it? You could easily have gone and asked them to stop swearing yourself.

Original poster
ThatllDoPig · 29/05/2011 19:37

no space around screen. would have had to go out and in again by different door.

OP posts:
BooBooGlass · 29/05/2011 19:38

But you COULD have done it. You chose not to. If it upst you that much I;m sure you could have managed to open a door Hmm

GypsyMoth · 29/05/2011 19:41

oh dear op......don your hat for this one!!

i kind of agree....its no biggie. 11 is secondary school age.

Original poster
ThatllDoPig · 29/05/2011 19:42

Yes, I could have done, and probably will if it happens again. But to be honest, I am upset by the attitude of the leisure centre, rather than the swearing itself IUSWIM. Don't like it that you just have to accept this officially.

OP posts:
horriblemotheragain · 29/05/2011 19:42

YANBU - the receptionist couldn't be arsed. I would ring and ask to speak to the manager if it bothered me that much (and it probably would).

xstitch · 29/05/2011 19:44

While the OP could have said something to them directly I don't see why that means that the leisure centre can't or shouldn't ask their clients to courteous towards all other users.

TBH any leisure centres I have been in have signs up asking for people not to swear and to respect others. Breach of this and they can be asked to leave and I have witnessed people being asked to leave.

SarkyLady · 29/05/2011 19:50

Agree with the other who say you should have dealt with this immediately (either yourself or by asking the staff).

Bit daft to moan after the event IMO.

Original poster
ThatllDoPig · 29/05/2011 19:52

But sarkyi'm not moaning about the swearing, its the attitude of the leisure centre . I think they should care about all the customers, and their should be limits on what you should be expected to put up with, in a family environment.

OP posts:
Quiapeter · 29/05/2011 19:55

Oh man you are so uptight, I can imagine you with a cat bum face.

BornInAfrica · 29/05/2011 19:55

its the attitude of the leisure centre

Yeah, but look - where does this nonsense end? If you disapprove of someone's perfume? Don't like their shoes? Saw someone picking their nose? Found a loose pube in the bogs? You really can't expect the receptionist to give a shiny shite about your likes and dislikes. Soz, but YABU.

BornInAfrica · 29/05/2011 19:56

Grin at 'cat bum face' - I love that!

AnyFucker · 29/05/2011 19:58

YANBU to object to the swearing around children (11yo's are still children, IM)

YANBU to expect the leisure centre staff to have a word in the 1st instance

YAalsoNBU to not tackle the blokes directly....I dount you would want to get a nasty retort in front of your dc

I dunno why people are giving you a hard time on this thread, tbh

quiapeter , you sound like a twat

AnyFucker · 29/05/2011 19:58

IMO

doubt

Original poster
ThatllDoPig · 29/05/2011 20:04

Thanks AnyFucker

OP posts:
ASByatt · 29/05/2011 20:05

I'm totally Grin at the sympathetic post from AF, beautiful irony given her MN name!

But I know exactly what you mean. We asked some lads playing footie near us to tone the language down recently, they were nice enough about it - were engrossed in their game, probably hadn't even noticed our DC poddling round. A Leisure Centre should want to promote a pleasant and welcoming environment, surely?

stella1w · 29/05/2011 20:05

Would have been better to have dealt with it at the time but if you are still upset, then write a strongly-worded letter to the manager.

I had a problem with my local centre with men using the changing rooms designated for women only (when I was trying to change me and my daughter) and it took a lot of complaints to get it stopped

AnyFucker · 29/05/2011 20:08

ASByatt...swearing is for adults

I swear, I have a sweary name, this is an adult site Smile

AlsoAvailableSober · 29/05/2011 20:08

Our gym has a sign warning people about using bad language in the jacuzzi's. I think this is very reasonable as there are always small children in the pool right next to them. I think the Leisure centre staff attitude is rubbish when they say they can't do anything - they must have some 'rules of hire' and i would ask about these

madhousewife · 29/05/2011 20:10

YANBU, customer service is ridiculous - they could at least pretend to care!!

fairydoll · 29/05/2011 20:15

I am guessing the footballers are a regular half hall booking which is worth a lot more than an occasional junior badminton court.
However they could have made sympathetic noises and then ignored your request.
As sandstorm said the best thing would have been to ask them, politely to tone it down.

tigerchilli · 29/05/2011 20:15

I'm with you OP, yanbu.

Grin
KatieMiddleton · 29/05/2011 20:23

YANBU regarding the receptionist. It would hardly kill them to just give a friendly reminder. I bet the football lads had no idea there were kids on the other side of the screen.

One presume the receptionist wouldn't mind if you told her she had a shitty attitude Hmm Wink

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