to think that people could at least be polite to my DS

[FunnysInLaJardin]

on holiday recently with 2yo DS2. He is a chatty little fellow and I was amazed by the number of people who just ignored him when he wandered over for a chat. Whenever a child speaks to me I will always respond, even if we don't speak the same language.

Makes me rather irritated that when he is being friendly he gets ignored. I suppose some people just don't like children.

I'd never blank a child, but I'd much rather NOT be put in the situation where I have to be polite if I'm in my own world.

I blank over 3s in the soft play if they're in the 0-2 area. It is surprisingly effective.

But I would never normally ignore children. Unless they are being particularly naughty.

The problem is some parents don't understand when their child is becoming a pest and remove them. There's nothing wrong with a kid saying hello and it's only good manners to smile and say hello back but often young children just hang around asking annoying questions and don't know when to leave (and they don't). Many people don't think it's worth the risk encouraging them by responding.

One thing all parents need to understand is that we are the only one's who find our kids as adorable as we think they are. Strangers couldn't care less.

I had a 2 year old ( I think) come over to me today at a play gym. She had a big bogey on her face and I couldn't bear to look at her, sorry but you clearly find your ds fascinating, I don't.

Oh I cannot stand kids coming up to you.

Was out for lunch the other week, child kept coming up to the table and staring, said hello once and sort of hoped it would go away but kept blood coming back. Really irritating. It always happens to me in shops and out and about. I cannot stand it. I never let my kids harass people like this.

I got so annoyed yesterday when my DS toddled up to a woman and started talking to her (babberling) she completly blanked him!.... Oh did I mention it was in a soft play gym!!! Seriously?

I smile and answer but try not to get more involved. For some reason they all make a beeline for me at m&t group. Great for their mums having a gossip and a coffee whilst I'm sat on the floor with 10 little ones wanting me to read or do puzzles with them.

Pre children I loved engaging with other children but now I have my own children I just don't have the patience or the inclination.

Shut how do you know that? My DS2 is one charming mother fucking pig (in the words of Pulp Fiction)

I agree it's rude to ignore people in general, but for shy adults without experience around kids it's a nerve-wracking experience... I know that might sound odd.

Like teapot said, I don't generally want a long conversation. I am a private, quiet sort of person who just wants to be left alone generally, the idea of a small child bothering me after I've said hello once makes me shudder. I will wave to babies on the tube or whatever, but I'm not fussed about engaging in a lengthy conversation.

All of you who are getting so upset about your toddler being ignored - are any of you considering that they might not want to be interupted/have things on their mind/are going through something awful

the world does not revolve around your children. The toddling ones won't remember and certainly won't give a shit, so why do you care so much?

I always chat to toddlers too. I love a chatty tot

But...maybe they are trying to relax and enjoy some child free time and don't want to end up entertaining someone else's kids which is what always seems to happen to me

Maryz no I haven't. And that is very sad about you brother. I suppose I am sociable to an extent and expect folk to be polite to my sociable children. But of course if they were being a PITA I would swiftly remove them. No one likes to be monopolised by someone else's DC.

A child attacked at a wedding! What thread is that?

Jareth because rudeness is unforgivable IMO whether to a child or adult.

incidentally my 2yo isn't capable of a lengthy conversation, he has few words and one of those is hello!

OP, what if I don't speak to your child because I suspect you are then going to let it bother me for minutes on end when I'm trying to read/relax/think/have a conversation? Is that still rude? I don't know what kind of parent you are by looking at you and there are a LOT of parents who just let their children be bothersome.

The other thread SO does not say 'giving a small child any attention is tantamount to abuse.', what an absolutely ridiculous thing to say. There is a middle ground between ignoring kids and picking them up against their will you know!

Anyway, I know what you mean, a smile and a hello isn't too much to ask. I manage that even if I don't particularly want to play with hordes of children. I was at soft play the other day and because my DD is little I still have to follow her around, which makes you a magnet for all the other kids in there. I didn't really want to end up entertaining them all but I at least managed to politely keep them at arms length.

Hope you're ok jareth. doesn't sound like you have had a very good day.

Sorry... I'm stropping all over this thread.

Um.. no, I'm not. But I'll stop stomping now.

Are you sure they're blanking as opposed to just not seeing them? A toddler is out of most people's immediate line of sight.

Funnys - it's rude to allow your toddler to wander up to a stranger, interrupt them, and expect a response.

I smile and never talk to children, the smiling is the acknowledgement - I have no interest in conversation.

It's not rude, I am not obliged to talk to anyone I dont want to, if I'm out I'm usually busy or thinking about what to do next.

Can't believe people on this thread thinks it rude

Most children are extremely boring and repetitive, my own included - strangers are not obliged to engage with some kid babbling away.