To want people in the cafe to stop talking

[Rosamund1]

The people next to me were talking for over half an hour about; their horrific childbirths, the blood, the phlegm when the child was resuscitated, how much they vomited. Now how their toddler is ill with diarrhoea.

God.

It really put me off my food but I was too British to say anything or to move table. I just quickly ate and left.

What would you have done? Do you agree some topics are not appropriate when dining publicly.

It wouldn't bother me. I'd just ignore their conversation and shut myself off to it if it did bother me though.

A quiet "not sure if you realise but you are talking very loudly and it's putting me off my food" might be in order

Meh. It's a caff not three star Michelin dining. Wouldn't have bothered me personally.

I’d join in with my own birth story! Nothing like a blood and guts birth description for a bit of bonding over a cuppa and and a slice!

Pull your phone out and start chatting with your imaginary surgeon friend as he removes an acre of human bowel, sucks out the crap with her surgeon lips and then plops it back in.

Play them at their known game.

No one wants to hear about your birth story because no one cares.

@NonnieMouse

Even if it were a burger van by the side of a field, I would never talk about revolting subjects when people are eating.

I thought everyone was taught this in the same way we are taught not to pick our noses etc. but apparently not.

I’m a nurse, nothing puts me off my food.

Ah competitive childbirth stories over a cuppa I'd just ignore or join in with my own

Hahaha @FuckyNellYaBastad

Love a birth story 😆

YANBU it’s just bad manners to discuss things like that somewhere people are trying to eat.

........... obviously Id exaggerate my tale to be the worst birth the hospital has ever seen.

Not everyone is squeamish so I'd move if necessary or politely tell them they're being very loud

You were silly not to move.

One of their children had to be resuscitated, which must have been pretty traumatic - it can really help some people to talk about these things with a sympathetic friend.

Agree with a pp that it's a cafe, not a top restaurant - people go there for a catch-up with friends, not an elegant dining experience. You should have moved if it made you that uncomfortable. Sorry – I think YABU!

If their conversation was bothering me but wasn't offensive, I'd either move or put headphones in.

It is hard OP. I would have found that triggering having had a baby born blue too and needing lits of help but I think its also good that people are so more able to talk about it these days

Headphones, always.

Move tables, with a clear and audible tut. Let them know you’re British and upset with their lack of decency.
They were pretty disrespectful to chat like that where folks are eating.

I don't think it's a big deal. If you were bothered, you should've moved.

A newborn had to be resuscitated and all you can think about is how they're putting you off your food?

If my child had nearly died at birth (actually did die, if resuscitation was necessary), I'd talk about it to my friends wherever I pleased. Anyone who complained I was putting them off their meal would probably find themselves wearing it.

If I couldn't tune it out, I'd have moved table. Not in an angry, tutting way, because I think they have the right to talk about whatever they want. But equally I have the right not to hear it.

YABU. It's a café. People talk in cafés.

I grew up with my brother, nothing puts me off my food!!