Hanging out the front ? Why ?

[wolfinfoxesclothing]

So where I live there is a lot of parents with young children. All houses have back gardens, but they all seem to hang around out the front of there houses. We don't live on a cul-de-sac, it's a normal road with traffic and not that much pavement. So they are actually standing there with their toddlers and little children playing in the road. Why? I don't get it ? I know they are talking watching but it's not safe.

It's to stop them going slowly MAD in a bubble of loneliness in their back gardens.

They want to see passers by and say hello to people. Watch a bit of life.

I have behind my back tits if I lie the wrong way

Best line ever!

They're socialising. My neighbours do that too. On a sunny Saturday there'll be a big circle of garden chairs in one of the front gardens and they while the day away chatting.

I think it's nice, but I don't join in

You'd hate my old road. We would have a paddling pool out. I missed that, when the Royal Wedding was on, we would usually arrange something. The older people would join in. It reminded me of how it was as I was growing up, in the 70's.

If everyone pilled into one back garden, the kids would squabble. the house would be a mess, from everyone having to go to the toilet. There wouldn't be enough chairs etc. Cups/glasses would get damaged etc.

Out the front, there's no pressure, obligation etc. it's just a no obligation, friendly meet up.

Was looking for another image but this will do

Feck. Arse. GIRLS!

RIP Father Jack.

@ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo

It is odd and it is definitely a working class thing!

There’s no reason they couldn’t pull up the deckchairs and socialise in the BACK garden...

I have just discovered the joys of the front of my house after neglecting it for 4 years! The main reasons are: now my son is old enough, I can sit there in the warm sun out of the wind that makes the back garden bloody cold and can watch him play in the park beside our house.
It means I get peace from the pervy wee kid out back who stands on his shed roof to pee in neighbours garden and on the neighbours
Finally, by sitting out the front, I've had great chats with neighbours (we have travellers and refugees recently moved in who I'd never spoken to before) and our kids have played much more with other local kids! My friend down the road puts her paddling pool out the back (quiet road) because its much warmer and can leave it out for the afternoon. We sit and watch the kids having fun whilst supping wine!

So lower class we might be but I love the front of my house! Can't believe I've not sat out there before! Seriously, try it!

Disclaimer: My kids are not named chavvy names, go to school in Clarks shoes and we are not chavs or working class.

What's wrong with going to school in trainers?

It doesn't sound very safe. Why are they not playing in the back gardens?? I wouldn't let mine play in the road.

Taigh you sound like you've got a slight chip on your shoulder. Chavvy is an offensive term. It's a catch-all for working class people which as a working class person, I find incredibly offensive. Look to yourself and not others when it comes to things like your children's shoes and the names of other people's children.

You make yourself sound ignorant,

We have this round here, we live in a close and all have decent sized gardens and a park less than 5 mins away but no they put their garden chairs out the front and spend the whole time screaming at their children and fing and blinding at them.
The best one was Monday they brought a bbq out the front along with a dining table and chairs.
It's just to intimidate knowing full well we will keep our children in because they are not the nicest people, even the 3 year old hits people and calls them the C word.
So many of the decent people here hate it and want to move and it's such a shame because the houses are lovely, it's just the people they put in them!

"We have this round here"
Idliketoteachtheworldtosing1
Well, no, you don't. What you describe isn't what the OP is musing on.

"EdiShowers", i was an SW, my DH a refrigeration engineer. My neighbours were a Teacher, a Support Worker, a Local Government Officer, two were Cleaners who worked their arses off to keep their children well maintained and a Carer. Our children all have decent jobs/careers. Keep your stereotyping to yourself, it shows how ignorant you are and how little you know.

Way to RTFT there AjasLipstick

No chips on my shoulder here, I was merely replying to EdieShowers post where she used the term 'chav'. It is not a term I use. Nor do I judge other peoples name choices or footwear. The disclaimer was tongue in cheek.
But hey, be offended if you wish. I live in social housing so am certainly no better than anyone else.

Taigh sorry about that. Then my comment is directed at Edie

Chavvy is an offensive term. It's a catch-all for working class people which as a working class person, I find incredibly offensive.

No, I'm working-class myself and "chav" does not simply mean the WC.

No apology necessary Ajas I'm sorry also, I should have been clearer.

I see Edie has some interesting points of view on other threads.

Anyhow, enjoy sitting at the front!

Taigh that's the odd thing...I don't! I live in Oz where front gardens are massive....huge...but nobody uses them! We all have big back gardens too but I always think it strange that the front is never used.

EdiShowers, how judgemental of you. How could you possibly tell what parents expect from their children by the shoes they have on their feet!

You’d hate our street OP- once a month on a Friday we shut it to all traffic 4 - 6pm and the kids play out on the road! They ride up and down on bikes and scooters, have water fights, kick a ball etc. AND the parents generally sit on their steps chatting or bring a chair out. At the very least the front doors are all open with the parents in and out.