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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder if I should have said more or less after this library incident?

31 replies

nowttodowithme · 22/07/2015 21:44

My daughter is a fluent Welsh speaker. We live in Wales, in a town where there are a fair amount of Welsh speakers.

DD went to a storytelling/craft hour at the local library today. First session was in English, second was in Welsh. We chose the Welsh session and the lady doing it clearly loved what she was doing, she really got into character and the handful of children there were captivated by her.

The children's library is separate to main library and was, quite rightly so, open to children not listening to the story. Those that were were in a corner.

I was stood watching with another mum, when a lady rudely walked over to the storyteller and actually said this 'can you talk quieter as the other kids in the library are not deaf and don't want to listen to you talking like that'! Shock

I just stood there like a fish in sheer amazement. She then flounced over to by me and other mum and said to the other lady she was with 'I'd never send my kids to a Welsh school if that's how there going to sound' and made fun of the Welsh language.

She knew we could hear and I was really miffed and said I find that offensive.

She said she'd say what she liked and I said but other people can hear you and it's unpleasant.

She shrugged and flounced off. I'm still amazed hours later at her ignorance and rudeness. I'm wondering if I should have kept quiet or said more?

DD heard the rude lady and did ask why she'd said it but soon forgot about it. She also loved the session.

OP posts:
Postchildrenpregranny · 22/07/2015 23:38

My Welsh is a little rusty but I used to be fluent .I have very little accent after 45 years in exile , but DH loves it when we mix with Welsh speakers as apparently my accent gets stronger and stronger .(I was much ' Welsh-er' when we met) Welsh poetry read aloud sounds beautiful -partly the rythym .
As an ex librarian and knowing the work that goes into delivering such activities I think library staff would much appreciate a note of thanks .I would actually adress it to the Chief Executive of the LA .The Head of Service would get a pat on the back which they should pass on to staff.
I think you dealt with a nasty incident very well

AlpacaPicnic · 22/07/2015 23:39

She was a twat. You should have started talking at her in Welsh. Even if you were just reciting the library opening times!

TelephoneIgnoringMachine · 22/07/2015 23:44

What a bitch. I feel sorry for her son - he's going to grow up thinking this attitude is ok. He's in for a shock.

NobodyLivesHere · 22/07/2015 23:47

Iesu Mawr! I'm open mouthed at the sheer rudeness of her.

textfan · 22/07/2015 23:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ProcrastinatorGeneral · 23/07/2015 02:01

I love hearing Welsh spoken. Don't understand a sodding word of it, but it's so beautiful. Weirdy lady needed her ears seeing to obviously.

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