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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that a lot of teachers are a tad patronising..

27 replies

PatButchersEarring · 17/05/2012 16:25

..and have a tendency to talk to their peers as though they are schoolchildren?

I mean, don't get me wrong- teachers do a fantastic job. It's just that it seems to be that a high proportion of them don't seem to be able to switch off their supposed superiority at the school gates? Is this a common occurence, or is it just some of the teachers which I happen to know?

OP posts:

manicbmc · 17/05/2012 16:27

It's just some of the ones you happen to know. All the ones I know are very personable and lovely.

HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 17/05/2012 16:29

I know a few like that; the head of DD1's year at school seems to think she is in charge of all the parents too....

mamalovesmojitos · 17/05/2012 16:29

I know just one who is as you describe. Out of many, many teachers. YANBU to have that opinion but it doesn't match my own experiences at all.

CrispyCod · 17/05/2012 16:30

As we're talking of patronising people and we add doctors to that list?

CakeMeIAmYours · 17/05/2012 16:31

I work in the voluntary sector, and had a retired teacher colleague actually 'shush' me while mid sentence and then tell me that as she had the (imaginary) 'Magic Shell' that meant I was not allowed to speak while she was 'holding' it.

My jaw hit the floor - I had never been spoken to like that either before or since. Quite extraordinary.

Army Officers are much the same, I am led to believe.

hermionestranger · 17/05/2012 16:31

DS' headteacher is just like that. There is a hooha over out of school club/holiday club and their accounts so DH has asked to see them. She isn't sure that DH will be able to understand them.

DH is CIMA qualified!

gwenniebee · 17/05/2012 16:32

I'm hoping it's just the ones you know! I'm lovely (obviously!)! :) My friend teachers and I do occasionally laugh about times when we realise we've spoken to partners/ our own parents/ friends in a "teacher" manner and everyone's fallen about laughing. I'm hoping the fact that we make funny stories out of the rare occasions we notice it happening means it's not a daily occurrence

VolvoMo · 17/05/2012 16:34

It does completely depend on the teacher. The more you meet, the more you will know this to be true.

Coconutty · 17/05/2012 16:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

PatButchersEarring · 17/05/2012 16:38

Crikey cake- That is unbelievable!

Gwennie- I reckon if you know you're doing it, and more impotantly, laugh about it, then you're fine.

OP posts:

Sirzy · 17/05/2012 16:39

I know lots of teachers and only one of them is occasionally as you describe

PacketOfBiscuits · 17/05/2012 16:40

There are people like that but I think they're the minority.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 17/05/2012 16:40

I know lots of patronising people, dont think its limited to teachers....actually, all the teachers I know are very nice!

Goldenbear · 17/05/2012 16:53

My mum is a retired teacher and often talks to me (at me) in an advisory way even if I'm not seeking advice. However, this could be because she is my mother rather than because she can't shake of her professional roots.

I have a friend who is a teacher be she isn't patronising. However, she does have the kind of voice that gets things done, that children listen to, I think my DS listens a lot more to her than me when we see her. He's convinced by her I think.

LeQueen · 17/05/2012 17:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ripsishere · 17/05/2012 17:02

I agree with Betty. Although, my DH does sometimes talk to me as if he is addressing one of his form. Luckily he is a non patronising person.

more · 17/05/2012 17:19

It's a job hazard though aint it. It's the same with someone answering the phone in a specific manner all day, then when he/she answers their own phone they find it hard to switch it off again.

Callisto · 17/05/2012 17:23

The head of DD's school was hideously patronising and loud with it. She regularly cornered parents and berated them in her incredibly condescending way for imagined crimes in front of everyone else. God how I loathed her and how happy I am that she has retired.

StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes · 17/05/2012 17:24

I found a few were like this, I worked with schools and often had teachers talk about 'parents' as if they were a set breed, I used to remind them that some of them were 'parents' too and that some 'parents' were highly qualified professionals. I also noticed that if I went to Ds's school in daytime clothing, ie: jeans and sweater with trainers, I was treated differently than when I went in work clothes. I used to deliberately leave my Local authority badge on too if I wanted them to listen to me properly. DH used to go in his work suit and tie and they were always really nice to him.

TapirBackRider · 17/05/2012 17:27

My dh's aunt is a retired teacher - she's been like this for as long as I've known her. She still wonders why people don't tend to visit her much.

WilsonFrickett · 17/05/2012 17:27

My DS' HT sort of twinkles at me. She's like a CBeebies presenter on acid. Makes me vair stabby. And don't get me started on the teacher in my book group. Stabby, stabby, stabby. YANBU

carabos · 17/05/2012 17:28

I know a few teachers but most of them are ok . SiL however is one of those who addresses everyone as if they were 5, not just in tone, but also content . I wonder if it's a primary teacher thing?

Stuart456 · 17/05/2012 17:34

A fellow Scout leader was telling me about one of their group's Cub leaders, who gets the parents to be quiet (or tries to) the same way he does with the kids - by shouting "PACK! PACK! PACK!".

Apparently this causes confusion and embarassment.

I do know some teachers who have trouble switching off their 'teacher voice'.

cricketballs · 17/05/2012 18:06

I don't think I do, but if you ask my dc how many times I have put them in detention they might disagree

maudpringle · 17/05/2012 18:15

We used to be friends with a primary teacher who when asking for drinks made us put our hands up!
" right, so thats 3 teas and 4 coffees"

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