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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that Waitrose cafe is not the place

174 replies

pussycatwillum · 14/08/2013 12:45

to start singing Old MacDonald to your baby?
DH and I went for our free coffee in Waitrose this morning and first of all we were near a woman who was loudly talking to her child about CAKE. 'Mummy likes CAKE. Daddy likes CAKE' etc. So we moved to let her get on with it without an audience.
Then a woman with a small baby in a first size carseat started singing Old MacDonald. I didn't see the baby, only the seat, but surely singing in a cafe is inappropriate.
Or am I just showing what a Grumpy Old Woman I am?
I've still got it in my head as an earworm and it was over an hour ago!

OP posts:
catgirl1976 · 14/08/2013 19:46

Very grumpy

Singing to a baby is nice and should be done everywhere

A supermarket cafe is hardly a rarified environment where you would expect people to be silent Confused

honeytea · 14/08/2013 19:48

I would sing back the grumpy people are joining in, joining in, joining in, the grumpy people are now joining in, maybe a bit of singing will cheer them up ( to the tune of wheels on the bus, admittedly the words don't really work with the tune but I'm sure the baby wont mind)

candycoatedwaterdrops · 14/08/2013 19:59

YANBU. I hate hearing out of tune parents sing loudly when the child clearly does not give a fuck.

Emilythornesbff · 14/08/2013 20:00

YAbu.
And a bit grumpy.

Katydid02 · 14/08/2013 20:01

You are right, it's completely unreasonable to sing 'Old MacDonald' in the Waitrose cafe, that sort of of song is better suited to Morrisons. In Waitrose one expects an Aria at least.

mamij · 14/08/2013 20:02

YABU. I sing to DDs whether in a cafe, restaurant, on the street, on public transport Grin I try to do it at low volume, as this keeps them entertained and stops them from getting into tantrum mode!

Emilythornesbff · 14/08/2013 20:03

I would ask what is the place for singing "Old Macdonald" but I fear the answer might be "at home" which is where you should have your coffee if you don't want to hear other ppl doing normal stuff with other ppl.

iklboo · 14/08/2013 20:08

What if it was 'Old Macdonald had an organic Eco-farm?

Original poster
pussycatwillum · 14/08/2013 20:14

iklboo and KatyDid Grin

OP posts:
Emilythornesbff · 14/08/2013 20:14

Why is the singing woman now"accused" of singing at ugh volume and out of tune btw?
An entire nursery choir might have been too much for me. But one woman singing to one baby..... I'd have barely noticed.

PeriodMath · 14/08/2013 20:15

In my local Waitrose the mummies sing "Old Macdonald" in the champagne and oyster bar then mosey over to the sushi bar for a round of "The Wheels on the Bus". The cafe is for the plebs and their free coffees Wink

hazeyjane · 14/08/2013 20:15

Fine. When it doesn't impinge on mine. And singing to your kids in a restaurant or cafe most definitely does.

Surely when you're out and about in a public place, you accept that other people are going to 'impinge' on you, and you will probably 'impinge' on them, there has to be a bit of give and take.

Original poster
pussycatwillum · 14/08/2013 20:17

PeriodMath Lol

OP posts:
McAvity · 14/08/2013 20:17

YABU. Are you aware that is a website for parents???

littlemog · 14/08/2013 20:18

NannyOgg you are a bit weird for being embarrassed at a family member singing a children's song in a family friendly restaurant. What on earth was the issue?

PeriodMath · 14/08/2013 20:19

In all seriousness though, only really wanky mummies sit in cafes singing to a small child. It's so you know what a fab interactive parent she is. We've ALL encountered them. Child would be fine with a toy and something to chew on for 15 mins I'm sure.

MsJupiterJones · 14/08/2013 20:21

I can be heard singing Old MacDonald, Wheels on Bus et al on buses, in cafes, down the street, round the shops and at the park (usually with the baby). It's the best way to distract him when he's fractious & there are enough verses to keep us out of trouble for a while. If you'd rather he screamed the place down do let me know.

Rooners · 14/08/2013 20:22

Oh GOD. Clearly this is completely out of order, however had she been singing it in the SWIMMING POOL it would have been even worse.

(she wasn't breastfeeding too was she?)

EmmaBemma · 14/08/2013 20:23

you sound like a right misery. I love the way you stipulate Waitrose cafe, too! Would it have been OK in Asda? Actually I wonder whether this is a wind-up.

IsisOhIsis · 14/08/2013 20:24

Yanbu she should have told the child to "shut the fuck up you little shit" and given him a clip round the ear for good measure. So everyone knew she wasn't one of those wanky mothers.

But seriously, yabu. When I'm out with dd I just chat to her, I don't spend the time worrying about what random strangers might think of the things I'm saying. I've probably sung to her in public too, if it kept her happy. Would have been very, very quietly though as I have the world's worst voice :(

hazeyjane · 14/08/2013 20:24

Er no actually, periodmath, I don't sing to ds or talk loudly about cake, because I want everyone to think I am a 'fab interactive' parent, I do stuff like that because he likes it, and he is the one I'm sat in the cafe with.

ubik · 14/08/2013 20:27

This entire thread just underlines why I really, really need to hide AIBU.

If I heard a woman singing to her baby in a cafe i really wouldn't give a shit. Hmm

candycoatedwaterdrops · 14/08/2013 20:38

ubik You do realise that not all AIBUs are serious issues, some people are discussing minor annoyances?

Wheresmum · 14/08/2013 20:47

At least it wasnt like me...I used to yell out "LOOK TRAIN" all the time and point out the window. Very embarrasing when you do it and the kids have got a bit old for it. I guess at Waitrose it's like the other lady mentioned would be better "LOOK LANDROVER" !!!

littlemog · 14/08/2013 20:53

PeriodMath I suspect that your idea of a 'wanky mummy' would be many people's idea of a good parent. I would hate to be as insecure as you.