To think waiting rooms are not playgrounds

[FairfaxAikman]

Feeling like utter crap today and functioning on very little sleep as a result I hauled myself to a GP appointment this morning.
In the waiting room was a toddler who was LOUD!
They were running around the whole of the large waiting room pushing a large digger and shouting and squealing at the top of their voice.

I'm all for kids playing and enjoying themselves, but AIBU to think a Doctors waiting room, which is full of sick people, is not the time or place for it?

don’t expect anyone to want to entertain my children and just encourage my toddler to come back to me, if they’re not enthusiastic, but plenty of people come and ‘bother’ you (or start a conversation if you enjoy it) and it’s only children that get ignored, just because people think they can get away with it. They wouldn’t do that to an adult who fancied a chat, however unwelcome.
I ignore random people who come over to chat to me

You ignore everyone who says ‘nice day isn’t it’ or similar to you in passing?

when I carry on reading my Kindle and don’t interact with your DD please tell her to stop bothering me. If you really don’t notice, tell her when I’ve sent her back to you

The thing is, if you ignore a two year old they think you can't hear them and start shouting instead. Or tugging on your sleeve. I would of course retrieve her if somebody looked uncomfortable but she starts saying loudly 'why that lady not talking mummy? What wrong with that lady? Lady not hear me, lady look sad. Why lady sad mummy?' If I explain lady doesn't want to talk she will keep asking why and staring at you or asking other patients.
I don't like chatting to other people's toddlers when alone TBH but find it's better to respond with 'hello, oh that's nice. I'm reading at the moment, you go and show mummy instead'. It's kinder than blanking them.

Obviously if someone appeared distressed by her, I'd pick her up and keep her away. Although this may cause a screaming tantrum and even more disturbance.

It won't be as great a disturbance as a teenager shrieking, biting himself and trying to thump anyone in hitting distance.

Sockwomble it might be best to have a word with the mum if there's a toddler running around the waiting room. If I knew somebody was scared of her I'd do my utmost to stop her going near him. Until I read your post it hadn't occurred to me anyone might be afraid. It's a real shame waiting rooms aren't designed with a children's area so you can keep toddlers contained. Ours is about 6 square metres!