to be shocked that I was the only parent that disapproved of the rude behaviour at a party today?

[UggMummy]

I took DS to a party today at a very nice Soft Play area in our area. Beautifully furnished, nice coffee bar, organic food and out of town so it's quite exclusive.
DS was invited by our close friend's sister's son. We have met him just a few times and DS and he seemed to click, so it was a kind and unexpected invitation.
Malcolm (let's say) had invited almost all of his class and they all seemed a very well-presented bunch, and all played very well together at the party.
Buffet time came and the staff were actively encouraging cutlery banging and prolonged chants of "WE WANT FOOD, WE WANT FOOD, WE WANT FOOD.". I was horrified at such impolite behaviour.
DS was quite clearly out of his comfort zone, and as the brouhaha commenced, he looked uneasily a me and one small shake of my head was enough to keep his behaviour in check, and his cutlery stayed untouched as is proper, and he sat silently, politely in his chair. I was such a proud mumma.
I glanced around, fully expecting to witness chastisement echoing mine from the other parents, but, no, they were actively encouraging their DC to partake in the shenanigans.
AIBU to think that the countenance of this sort of rough behaviour was completely improper and beyond the pale?
I am also considering emailing the manager with reagrds to this thuggish behaviour - surely this sort of behaviour needs to be discouraged in a society teetering on the edge of anarchy?

gemma, you have obviously mastered the same raised eyebrow warning tone as I. This will bode well for our DC's future, being able to take instructions with promptness and no fuss.

You mean dcs' by the way. It's for your own growth

I hate to do this, but it's DC's - 'children' being a plural already, it's 'children's future'. Sorry. As you were.

Darling Children's?
Darling Childrens'?
Oh it's late. An expensive education always seems ineffective after a long day.

My ex's DM used to tell a story about an incident when he and his sisters were little. They were behaving in just the same way as the dc in the imaginaryop, so she told them if they chanted just one more time, she would throw their dinner out of the window. And they did, so she did.

chaos...is that you darling?

Ultimately convinced it's now a wind-up!

'Exclusive play area' ?
'Nice play area'?
'Expensive education'?

I once went to a children's party and the children were actively encouraged to eat food with their fingers . I was, quite frankly, appalled.

Jonny and Veronica, I'm very proud to say, knew how utterly, utterly disgusted I would be at this caveman like behaviour. They put their little hands up and politely requested a knife and fork.

When they looked over at me I gave them an approving smile and nod at which they proceeded to cut up their jam sandwiches and Quavers and eat like civilised humans.

I was such a proud mumma

brouhahah nearly as good as imbroglio

I can imagine it is true, I think that they were trying to create a fun and lively atmosphere but they kind of failed. I would also be horrified, its not encouraging good behaviour.

Oh total ratification. Thank you Cother. If I might just give you a sisterly word of advisement, perchance? I think posting actual DC's (DCs'?) names is slightly de rigeur on a public forum. Just a smidge of cautiousness I think is the correct path to travel.

Gosh. Imbroglio. I don't think I've heard that since Upper Sixth. I shall add that to my everyday lexicon.

I was so afraid of incorrect usage of dcs'/dc's that I felt the need to use names. And in all honesty, I was so proud of their wonderfully correct napkin placement (on their laps, not tucked into their shirt/blouse like the other little ruffians) that i felt exposing their names was no bad thing

LoL

lol Mog, you are right. Apologies OP :o

everyday lexicon is a nonsensical phrase.

Ahh, the protocol of placement of table linen. Always a cross to bear. I generally find that in most establishments, the waiting staff will place the linen correctly for one. I do rather tend to enjoy the When In Rome construct when in Italy, and embrace the bib style informality.

How very dignified and reasonable of you SHRIIIEEK. I must admit, it's warm here in the drawing room and the soporific effects of the fire had me quite confused myself. Easily done, what?

I think it's the brandy OP? Or delerium from the pain of the gout?

I had to blindfold Jonny and Veronica on our last trip to Italy. And give them earplugs. I couldn't bear the thought of them seeing the incorrect napkin placement and hearing the slurping of spaghetti being sucked. I know it is the 'done thing' there but I feel that losing their table manners for the sake of 6-7 visits to Italy a year just isn't worth it.

And don't talk to me about mil and her knife holding. I have to ask her to eat in the annex with Cook and the chamber maid away from the family as she insists on holding her knife like a pen

HKLP is truly beyond the pale, I agree. Many a friend has fallen beside the wayside after an intimate dinner for 12 at our country pile. Ruthless, I know, but what to do?

Beside the wayside! Lovely.

Cother PMSL at your latest post!

My little tinkers Chelsey Harlee are such darlings, on our last flight they could clearly sense that the other passengers were terribly bored so Chelsey started a food fight with the elderly couple behind us and Harlee gave the suited lady in front of us a few kicks in the back to make sure she didn't fall asleep.