To think that this woman was rude?

[Topaz25]

I'm probably being a bit oversensitive due to the circumstances. I took my rat to the vet today to have a lump looked at. It's only round the corner so I walked home through the allotments. I said hi to a lady I know in passing, she asked what was in the pet carrier and when I said it was a pet rat she made a point of telling me how much she hates rats. He was in a pet carrier so I was clearly bringing him back from the vets and obviously I care about him. AIBU to think this was rude and unnecessary?

She was just making an observation, not a personal attack. I think you may be being a bu

Agree with free, many people have a phobia/dislike about rodents. she didn't say she hated YOUR rat.

Maybe a bit unnecessary but definitely not rude. A lot of people don't like rats....if you have a slightly unusual choice of pet then people are going to comment.

Agree with all of the above - you're being overly sensitive.

I used to get this all the time when I told people we had pet rats. It seems to be a fairly normal response unfortunately. I'd just ignore it personally, people don't tend to engage their brain before they speak sometimes.

I would say the exact same thing if talking to someone with a "pet" tarantula.

YABU.

Not many do like rats - I suppose it's a natural response or many.

What was she supposed to say? If she'd just said "Oh" I bet you'd have thought that rude too.
Hope the rat is ok.

For the record I hate rats too

Blimey. I think I would have just nodded and said, "Yes lots of people don't like them".

And then never ever thought about it again.

Actually I agree with you OP, I think it was a bit rude and unnecessary tbh. She could have just said something non-committal like 'well I hope he's feeling better soon' and left her personal feelings out of it completely.

I am not a fan of rats either but in this situation I wouldn't have dreamed of saying so!

some people are funny about rats. You must have noticed this before.

Hope he's OK, though.

Sorry you had this experience OP, I think the woman was rather rude,

Domestic Rats are adorable and very sweet pets, I love them, they're so friendly and cute. A teacher at DDs school kept them as pets, and often brought them into school to show the children.

If I didn't have 3 cats who I adore above all things (DC Excepted!) I would have rats as pets, they're just brilliant.

Hope your wee pet is ok.

Slightly odd perhaps but I think you're being a bit sensitive. Plus, how was she to know you were bringing him back from the vets? It's not really that obvious, especially to someone who may not have ever had pets.

I don't really like cats since the neighbourhood buggers chose my garden as their litter tray and probably have been a bit vocal about it. Never thought it would bother someone so much, now I feel guilty!

Hope it was nothing serious and your pet gets better soon.

I have had rats off and on for years, and people always feel the need to tell me how much they hate them, they always mention the tails I find. When I think about it though, if someone had a spider, I'd probably say "I couldn't cope with that, they terrify me!" but not meaning it as a way to insult their pet choice, more to say I'm a wimp!

I think it probably felt worse because you were stressed and could have done with supportive comments. I hope you are your lovely little rat are alright though.

Well it probably wasn't the most tactful thing in the world, but most people don't like rats. I hope yours is better soon though.

I think rodents is a common dislike and I'm afraid I would say the same thing. I have been known to vomit at the sight of a rat.

I think it's a bit rude and definitely tactless. How hard would it be to just say 'Well, I hope it gets better soon?' or something?

To be fair, Kate, she was probably just making conversation in asking what was in the carrier.

I agree with you otherwise though.

I got it when my snakes died: "oh thank god, horrible creatures"
:(

Yanbu, it is tactless. Although i can understand her wanting to say she doesnt like them (see spider examples above!) she still could have been nice.

On learning I keep birds, many people's immediate response is, "Oh, I HATE birds!"

I wonder how they'd feel if I responded in kind about their kids.

I'm with you, OP. It gets old very quickly.

Agree with free, many people have a phobia/dislike about rodents

In that case, "Oh, I'm frightened of rats" would be more appropriate and far less likely to cause offence.

I would have thought that as rat owner you'd be tougher skinned!

That is still considered an unusual pet.

Is that honestly the first time you've been told something negative about him?

However I understand you must be worried. I hope he gets better quickly.