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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Holiday rental and religion

248 replies

Whattodowithaminute · 02/09/2017 19:17

Have just returned from a lovely week in France, holiday rental marketed as being very child friendly and true to their word the property/gardens are. What wasn't mentioned is the clear following of religion from the owners which was evident throughout the property; psalms on the welcome book, 'power of a praying wife in the bedside drawer' children's bible in the children's room to name a few bits. I know I don't need to read any of this if it isn't to my taste (which you may have gathered it isn't) however AIBU thinking a holiday rental should be more neutral territory and that these items shouldn't be on open display?

OP posts:
19lottie82 · 02/09/2017 19:18

On open display? Hmm it's a bible not the anarchists cookbook or pornography.
YABU

donajimena · 02/09/2017 19:19

Its not like it was a porn stash is it? I wouldn't waste headspace over it.

greendale17 · 02/09/2017 19:19

YABU

ZaraW · 02/09/2017 19:20

I wouldn't have given it a second thought YABU.

RuggerHug · 02/09/2017 19:20

Yabu. You can choose to ignore it or to explain to DCs (if they ask) about how different people believe different things and leave it at that.

BannedFromNarnia · 02/09/2017 19:23

I think it's really rude. Even passive evangelising like that is rude.

Would I get complaints on TripAdvisor if I left a load of stuff about atheism and losing your religion around my rental? Of course I would. So religious people shouldn't do it either.

FadedRed · 02/09/2017 19:24

Hotel rooms used to have Gideon bibles in them, there was a society that existed to provide them, and to hospital beds. Not sure if that still happens though.
France is a Catholic country, though not as an established church, the way the CoE is in UK.
May be a bit overt for some people's taste, but nobody is forced to read them.

blue25 · 02/09/2017 19:26

YABU

endofthelinefinally · 02/09/2017 19:27

We spent a summer travelling round the South of Ireland in the late 60s.
Staying in a number of b and bs.
We were surrounded by crucifixes, sacred, bleeding hearts and all kinds of paraphernalia. One particularly graphic crucifix glowed bright green in the dark and gave me nightmares.
That sort of thing was quite normal and it wouldn't have occurred to us to complain.
So it could have been worse OP.
Grin

Saucery · 02/09/2017 19:28

Is that all? I was expecting a confessional next to the bidet and compulsory attendance at Mass.

Jamhandprints · 02/09/2017 19:30

Its their property, its up to them. Why would you think you can dictate what books they put out? Would you object to a Buddha statue or an inspirational quote poster?

Isetan · 02/09/2017 19:31

What! Should the walls be magnolia too in keeping with your neutral sensitivities. As an atheist, this wouldn't bother me in the slightest, it's sounds like you rented someone's home and why should they hide an important part of their identify. I'd be a bit Hmm if it was a hotel chain but a private holiday let, meh.

Shoxfordian · 02/09/2017 19:34

I agree with you. I think it's more professional to keep a holiday let neutral and religion free.

SwedishEdith · 02/09/2017 19:37

What is the power of a praying wife? What can they do?

Mushroomburger17 · 02/09/2017 19:41

I'd be well pissed off. Religion drives me mad.

LIZS · 02/09/2017 19:47

Don't uk hotel rooms all carry a Gideon Bible. France is a religious based culture.

NorthernLurker · 02/09/2017 19:51

Yabu. Standard part of self catering is moving anything you don't like.
My svelte catering cottage had a floral bedspread that got up my nose. I don't like florals or bedspreads. So I chucked it on the floor and sneered at all fortnight.

5foot5 · 02/09/2017 19:54

Part of the charm of staying in a rental property rather than a hotel is that it has a bit more character and it will inevitably reflect the owner's tastes and interests.

I am not religious but this wouldn't worry me in the slightest.
YABU

Bombardier25966 · 02/09/2017 19:55

If you don't like them put them in a drawer.

I'm atheist and wouldn't have given them a second thought. I may have even had a little look if I had the time, taken the time to learn more about other people's spiritual views.

YABU.

BizzyFizzy · 02/09/2017 19:56

That's pretty impressive for France.

PeterBlue · 02/09/2017 19:59

YABU. It's their cottage and they can put what they like in it.

backtoworkhiho · 02/09/2017 19:59

YABU

Just ignore it. Like you'd ignore grim decor

EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 02/09/2017 20:00

I've just Googled The Power of a Praying Wife...

How God can strengthen your marriage as you pray for your husband concerning key areas in his life, including...

his spiritual walk
his emotions
his role as a leader
his security in work
his physical protection
his faith and his future

So there we go.

BackforGood · 02/09/2017 20:01

YABU and sound a bit ridiculous tbh.
Nobody is forcing you to read them or to pray alongside them.

Samsara123 · 02/09/2017 20:04

Hotel rooms used to have Gideon bibles in them, there was a society that existed to provide them, and to hospital beds. Not sure if that still happens though. Premier Inn for example does.