To think this comment was unnecessary

[Bombaypie]

Having pub lunch at our local with DH and the children, 3 and newborn baby.

DD(3) has been swimming with DH all morning and I've been on a cluster feeding marathon with the baby since 5am. Hence we are all pretty tired.

DH technically working this afternoon, so was sending some emails on his work phone. I was on MN on my phone. Baby asleep and DD happily occupied on the iPad playing a children's game while we waited for our food to come.

A woman walks past on her way out for a cigarette, stops at our table and rolls her eyes, saying "the modern family" sarcastically, before walking out.

It just felt so mean and judgemental of a tiny snapshot of our day. I don't think we spend excessive time on our phones etc, and DD had colouring books and reading to keep her entertained as well- but it made me feel self conscious for the rest of the meal.

Are you quite sure she said it sarcastically OP?

What did you say in reply?

I didn't say I'd judge, I said it's a bugbear of mine.

I'm well aware it's my own 'problem' and no-one else's - hence the reason no-one would know about it.

Thank you, feel a bit better now
I'm a coward, she walked past us a second time and I murmured "really, ANOTHER cigarette already?" but practically in a whisper so she didn't even hear

exLt the eye roll said it all really

Nah Bombay "she ain't worth it"
In fairness, Worra and others were secretly judging not doing an Ed Sheeran*

I secretly judge all the time when I think about it but I call it "people watching"
*thinking out loud

YANBU. She needs to learn to mind her own business. I'm not a big fan of gadgets at the table myself but I couldn't give a toss what other families do.

No, going against the grain, I think she has a point. 'Modern families' can be such a nuisance, taking up so much physical space and web space for their self-indulgent nonsenses.

YABVU

You should have told your family to ignore the Old Fashioned Lady.

Wheelofpan, run that past me again, it made zero sense.

wheel ^taking up so much physical space*
Please get off my lap. And don't Google google whatever you do

taking up so much physical space....

Are you saying I've got a fat arse?!!

I think we all know that googling Google breaks the internet.

Who the bloody hell did she think she was to pass comment like that, utter cow!
Totally agree.

get of my laptop

hazey - I don't know. Have you, indeed a fat arse?

Yes, it takes up most of a Cafe Nero sofa. The other chairs are taken up with my kindle, phone and iPad. The kids just hunker in the corner gnawing on a gingerbread man.

There's a quote I can never remember exactly but it's something like 'People do not make their judgements based on who you are, but on who they are.' I think that's relevant here (though I did hesitate to type it out on the AIBU board where it could piss off dozens...)

She is a person who had to stop and insult a table full of people who were bothering no-one including a small child. Even if her judgement on you was correct, you're still better people than her.

hazey - yep, thought so.
But c'mon! Web use is a bit like the rain forests. It isn't a finite resource, FFS. DH could have used a phone for work. Dd could have been playing with a sustainable naturally occuring fabric toy, like a cotton-based item.

But no, you had to show off your unreasonable consumerist attitude to the environment.

Shame on you, and anyone else who thinks it's reasonable.

Ah, the modern future cancer patient...

You should have commented along the lines of at least your kids aren't routinely exposed to thousands of noxious chemicals from cigarette smoke and have parents who show a proper example in terms of health.

Great comeback, Spudlet

Most would have judged in silence, she went too far in saying something as nobody was in danger.

Pubs are not the ideal place for a newborn and a three year old as they are places for adults and every one awake on some sort of device so not actually spending any quality time together.

Most would have judged in silence

Really? Aren't people too busy getting on with their own stuff to sit in judgement of a family quietly going about their business.

Someone who can't get through a meal without feeding her drug habit definitely has no right to judge other people.

Point at fag lady and exclaim excitedly "Kids, look, it's a dinosaur!"

How intrusive of her. Was she drunk?