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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this is a sign of the times we live in.....

396 replies

MidWeekSlump · 05/09/2012 23:56

My daughter today was telling us about her new high school... lots of stories. Then we got to lunch, her friend gets free dinners, when they went to get dinner (which cost my daughter £2), her friend complained as she had to pay 20p extra to add to her lunch as hers is free.

She said her friend started arguing with the dinner ladies about her free dinner and being a single parent family, then went on to say she shouldn't have to pay for the drink.

My daughter said she thought her friend was being silly as it was a lovely meal for only 20p a day if she wants extras....

Am I wrong for feeling sad that my daughters friend at 11 is already pulling the whole "I'm entitled to it" attitude out of the bag????

OP posts:
AmberLeaf · 06/09/2012 00:45

Maybe her Goat was thirsty?

Birdsgottafly · 06/09/2012 00:45

Next she'll be expecting a coat for winter.

But the majority of child poverty are those that don't fit in to the 'benefits' band

They are, as a portion are working poor and recieve in work benefits.

You don't get FSM on working tax credit, student loans, widowed parents allowance, but are assessed on income.

I don't see what benefits have to do with it, tbh.

McHappyPants2012 · 06/09/2012 00:46

i think the school meals should be overhauled. every child has the same choices every one pays the same.

like the meal at school tomorrow is chicken pie, parsley potatoes green beans and coleslaw with a lemon shortbread and custard. fresh fruit and homemade bread is offered with every meal and also a drink all children pay £1.90

Flojo1979 · 06/09/2012 00:46

This reply has been deleted

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ShirelyKnort · 06/09/2012 00:48

Yes. I'm thick flojo1979.

I'm thick all the way through to my core.

Flojo1979 · 06/09/2012 00:48

What if u can't afford £1.90?

AnnaFender · 06/09/2012 00:49

Maybe the child was confused and got the wrong things and was then embarrassed that she was pulled up or didn't have the 20p.

I think the attitudes towards an 'entitled' 11 year old and her family/benefit claimants is a true sign of the times.

ShirelyKnort · 06/09/2012 00:50

What if you can't afford 20p?

Flojo1979 · 06/09/2012 00:50

That's not the answer either.
I agree with the school (for a change!) Everyone should be entitled to a hot meal, dessert and a drink.

AmberLeaf · 06/09/2012 00:50

every body else had to pay for a snack so why not her?

Because she is on free school meals.

Yes shes 11 just out of primary school where regardless of how its paid for every child gets the same meal dished up.

I can see why she was surprised that her having free school meals no longer meant she got the same as everyone else.

Flojo1979 · 06/09/2012 00:51

Then u go without snack shirley just like many children not on FSMs do, just like children who don't argue with dinner staff do, just like ppl who don't use the single mother line do.

AllThingsOrange · 06/09/2012 00:52

FSM aside for a moment. The fact she was arguing with staff needs to be addressed as well as the FSM system.

ShirelyKnort · 06/09/2012 00:52

I could cry really. I could actually fucking cry at some if the attitudes displayed in this thread

We are fucking doomed.

Birdsgottafly · 06/09/2012 00:53

its her first day at school and she's already being rude to the school staff

Well we don't know that because this is being told third hand.

Good on any child that can stand up for themselves.

My DD had to walk home the other day because a bus driver didn't accet that she was under 16 and she isn't confident to argue.

It happened regulary to my other DD. I used to see bus drivers try to charge kids full adult fare, then let drunks on free, because they would argue back.

AllThingsOrange · 06/09/2012 00:54

My DD had to walk home the other day because a bus driver didn't accet that she was under 16 and she isn't confident to argue.

Was she not carrying ID?

ShirelyKnort · 06/09/2012 00:55

Sorry flojo, as I said earlier, I've decided to ignore those who re quibbling about CHILDREN receiving a drink AND a snack merely because their family are POOR.

So, I'm ignoring you from here on in as I find your posts offensive, ill-educated and frankly, disgusting.

AmberLeaf · 06/09/2012 00:55

What ID do you think 13/14/15 years olds have?

Journey · 06/09/2012 00:56

A parent who has to pay for a school meal may not be able to afford the meal (in reality) never mind the extras. Does anybody have any sympathy for these kids? Doubt it.

The girl's attitude was one of entitlement. She got a free school meal but wanted more. Well the reality is that people who have to pay for school meals can't always afford the extras either.

tethersend · 06/09/2012 00:57

There really shouldn't be any 'extras'.

It's just another way for the meals company to make a profit when the proceeds from their shit food won't buy the bosses a yacht.

Flojo1979 · 06/09/2012 00:57

I am a single mother myself and I'd be horrified if my kids did this.
I also used to be on benefits when I was first left holding the baby and I couldn't believe the ridiculous amount of money u get. I had much more of a disposable income that most of my friends who weren't entitled to FSMs and get annoyed that the natural assumption is u r skint, def not the case.
Now i'm working I'm much worse off but I love my job and have a strong work ethic and I'm no longer entitled to FSMs or all the other perks that come with being on benefits.

Flojo1979 · 06/09/2012 00:58

Well said journey

thecook · 06/09/2012 00:59

I am with ShirelyKnort on this one.

And why the need to address the kid arguing? She could have been speaking in a unreasonable tone without raising her voice.

tethersend · 06/09/2012 00:59

"A parent who has to pay for a school meal may not be able to afford the meal (in reality) never mind the extras. Does anybody have any sympathy for these kids? Doubt it."

So instead of campaigning for ALL children to receive a decent meal, we are maligning an 11yr old for not adequately learning the harsh lessons of life?

Jesus, you're right Shirley. DOOMED.

Flojo1979 · 06/09/2012 00:59

Your the ill educated one shirley by assuming she was poor. What ever made u assume such a thing?

Birdsgottafly · 06/09/2012 00:59

Was she not carrying ID?

No it was before the school went back, we got dropped off at the hairdressers and i was carrying on to work.

My DD has obvious LD's and speech and language problems, so when she asked for £1.30, he should have given her a ticket (she had forgot her free buss pass).

That has blown this years try at independance.