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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think this mum was attention seeking?

225 replies

Sisinisawa · 28/09/2017 22:06

I arrived early for the school run today so sat in the car waiting like everyone else.

Well, everyone except a mum, new to the school this year, who got out of her car, opened the boot, took out a hula hoop and started writhing around with it doing some form of exercise/dance. On the pavement.

I mean, WTAF?

Who does that?

What say you Mumsnet? Attention-seeking or mad as a box of frogs?

OP posts:
TansyVioletta · 29/09/2017 13:28

I remember squeezing through a roller after my daughter when i was pregnant. FFS. Glad those days are over.

Sequence · 29/09/2017 13:31

Anyone up for taking a hula hoop out this afternoon to play spot the Mumsnetter? Grin

4amwriter · 29/09/2017 13:32

she wasn't exercising she was doing a gymnastics style dance type thing

So using dead time waiting outside school to practice something difficult that she'd like to achieve?

I'd much rather be friends with a hula hooper than a bunch of people bitching on the internet who are held back from ever doing anything fun or interesting by fear of what others thought of them...

Anyway, I'm off to buy a hula hoop! On my way to the school run....

DioneTheDiabolist · 29/09/2017 13:35

This is MN, where drinking coffee in the street is deemed "attention seeking behaviour", so I'm not surprised by the posts on this thread. Hmm Mumsnetters are weird. [confusing]

4amwriter · 29/09/2017 13:37

A quick look at the argos website tells me I'm not alone! 3 others viewing hoops at the same time, 35 just been ordered apparently.

It seems this post has had the opposite to intended effect, and inspired others to try something different...

Greenteandchives · 29/09/2017 13:42

I luffs my hula hoop. You need a big weighted one to do any good not the flimsy plastic kids one. 10 minutes a day and a waspy waistline will be yours.
Mine comes apart for easy transport. Not that I ever take it anywhere.

LoyaltyAndLobster · 29/09/2017 13:44

Attention-seeking or mad as a box of frogs?

She was exercising, you wouldn't have thought she was an attention seeker or mad if you see her doing it in her front room!!

LoyaltyAndLobster · 29/09/2017 13:45

I'd much rather be friends with a hula hooper than a bunch of people bitching on the internet who are held back from ever doing anything fun or interesting by fear of what others thought of them...

^^ I second this.

ThaliaLuxurySpa · 29/09/2017 13:48

"Anyone up for taking a hula hoop out this afternoon to play spot the Mumsnetter? Grin "

Great idea, Sequence.

Oh, please do, MNers on this thread, and anyone successfully having exchanged a Hoop wave and a wink can update us non-school runners later...it'd be like the Masons' secret handshake thing.

SeekEveryEveryKnownHidingPlace · 29/09/2017 13:49

Nick Hornby says in About a Boy something like, there are two types of people, one who would look at a 28 year old on a skateboard and think 'wanker' and one who would think 'hey, good for him, that looks like a fun way of getting some exercise!'

I generally prefer the company of the ones who think 'wanker' and get along better with them, tbh. I'd definitely rather be friends with a bunch of people bitching and being cynical than a bunch of hula hoopers: we'd have more in common.

Evelynismyspyname · 29/09/2017 13:50

Loyalty you (generic - one) might think someone was attention seeking / performing some kind of stunt if they were watching TV in the middle of the pavement, but you (generic) wouldn't if they were doing that in their front room. Why is hoola hooping different?

ThaliaLuxurySpa · 29/09/2017 13:52

^ You wouldn't need to hoop for real, unless you wanted to, of course...just nonchalantly swing one around your arm a bit outside school to show solidarity with Hula Lady.

Evelynismyspyname · 29/09/2017 13:53

Seek I'm with you on that!

Actually it's very pertinent to my life this week, having spent the last 5 days in the company of 30 people who've drunk the compulsory performance Fun KOOL aid...

ThaliaLuxurySpa · 29/09/2017 13:53

(Sorry, that was to add to my previous post)

CorbynsBumFlannel · 29/09/2017 14:02

I used to have a hoola hoop. Quite enjoy it - in my living room. There are certain things that it is unusual to do on the pavement outside the school be that hoola hooping, full on dance routines or wearing a pineapple strapped to your head. I expect the number of people who would think wtf at seeing those things is much higher than the people congratulating themselves on their 'good for them' attitudes on here.

CorbynsBumFlannel · 29/09/2017 14:03

Might take a fold out table and cloth and have myself an early tea in the playground while I wait for my kids this evening. Good for me I say! I'm such a rebel who refuses to be confined by societal norms.

VickyRsuperstar · 29/09/2017 14:04

I was waiting at the walk in Drs with my daughter earlier this week and there was an old lady who got bored and told us all she was going to do yoga exercises while she waited. We all looked at each other puzzled and she proceeded to do the yoga outside in the courtyard while waiting. I have no idea what she was there for, but when she was called through for triage she answered in the craziest manner I've ever heard. I've never seen anyone exercise while waiting for medical treatment so I thought probably bonkers.

AngelaTwerkel · 29/09/2017 14:05

I generally prefer the company of the ones who think 'wanker' and get along better with them, tbh

In my experience, people with this outlook are rarely doing anything interesting themselves, as they are too afraid of what others might think.

lemonzest123 · 29/09/2017 14:07

Sorry just to say again please don't buy the big weighted ones from Argos! They're not proper hoops and can give you horrific bruises. A good circus website like Flames and Games or Fire Toys is the bet way to go. Beginners should go for a bigger hoop (38" - 40") and wider pipe (25mm). If you've already nailed the basics go a bit smaller, they go faster but harder to keep up!

Evelynismyspyname · 29/09/2017 14:17

Angela the reverse is often true. Those who have to have an audience to appreciate how "fun" and "quirky" they are are usually dishwasher dull unless they think someone is watching, and seem to have very little going on under the surface.

paxillin · 29/09/2017 14:23

That's my experience, too, Evelynismyspyname. The genuinely interesting and unconventional don't have to do doggy bum waves on a yoga mat at Costa.

Knittedbreasts · 29/09/2017 14:25

I think people's reactions to it are more interesting than her reasons for doing it. Why wouldn't you hula hoop? There's nothing wrong with it. I skip alone when I have to cover further distances - its just called enjoying life :)

SeekEveryEveryKnownHidingPlace · 29/09/2017 14:25

Thirded, evelyn and pax!

Idontevencareanymore · 29/09/2017 14:39

Good for her!

I wish I could hoola hoop, school run or not!

In my city there's a lady that rollerboots around with a hoola hoop. She's entrancing to watch.

Original poster
Sisinisawa · 29/09/2017 14:48

I wasn't intending to be bitchy. I just thought it was unusual and a bit weird in a non-harmful way but I did think it was an odd thing to do.
I'm sure she's a lovely person. I don't know her.
But I haven't said she's got mental health problems that was other posters. I don't think she has.
I don't want her to read this and feel bad though so I will ask for it to be deleted for her sake not mine.

OP posts:
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