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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Children running round Wetherspoons

154 replies

AleFailTrail · 17/02/2019 12:55

AIBU to think the Spoons isn’t a family pub in the vein of hungry horse etc. And that if your child sprints in to someone carrying a pint or two, causing them to fall and spill said pints, you should at the least apologise to the person and replace the drinks, rather than scoop up a beer soaked kid and walk off. Or when they pull a menu board down strand it back up and tell the child off, not reassure them it’s okay and the staff will sort it? There’s no play areas and the pub is very, very full right now.

-A very beer soaked RailAleFail who is mourning a pint of porter and her boyfriend’s cider

OP posts:

ThreeAnkleBiters · 17/02/2019 13:31

Even if it was a family pub with a soft play centre and an entire fleet of clowns included I would apologise profusely and buy new drinks if my DC had caused you to spill them.

TheInvestigator · 17/02/2019 13:32

I have to feel sorry for the staff. The least the parents can do is watch their own kid and ensure correct behaviour but the staff always end up dealing with it and then having to kick out a family who will probably be quite rude!

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 17/02/2019 13:34

Everyone who goes to Wetherspoons isn't dross. But dross always ends up in Wetherspoons.

Find a nicer pub OP.

skunkatanka · 17/02/2019 13:34

The problem you have OP is that the kind of parents who allow their children to run around in pubs/restaurants etc are unlikely to be the sort of parents who care much for politeness and manners.

Geminijes · 17/02/2019 13:35

To some parents a family friendly pub means that children can behave as brats and run amok. The parents don't care about any one else as long as they can enjoy their meal without having to entertain or control their own children.
Family friendly means the establishment caters for children but doesn't mean children can run around like banshees.

WaxOnFeckOff · 17/02/2019 13:36

I know this won't go down well, but part of the problem is that eating out has become too accessible and therefor is no longer valued.

When it was a treat to eat out then certain behaviour standards were expected but now people see going to the pub for lunch as just the same as walking into McDs.

It's not the place that's the problem it the lack of manners.

Ocicat · 17/02/2019 13:37

Probably the same woman who changed her child’s nappy on the table at my local Spoons a few years ago. We mentioned to the staff that the table would need cleaning, staff told the woman not to do that again, so she started screaming at us “it’s only a bit of wee for fuck’s sake”.

Pubs need childfree spaces IMO.

Theimpossiblegirl · 17/02/2019 13:37

I hope you've complained OP. Some people are just too lazy and entitled to parent their kids properly, your lunch shouldn't be ruined.

WhentheRabbitsWentWild · 17/02/2019 13:38

What utter snobs . Oh and trust somebody to bring Brexit into it as well

Not everyone can afford somewhere more "upmarket" you utter bores.

Original poster

AleFailTrail · 17/02/2019 13:41

It’s usually a nice spoons tbh, I go there regularly and the food is good. This shower of shite has ruined it today though.

On the plus side the family has gone, escorted out

OP posts:

Raspberry88 · 17/02/2019 13:42

I know this won't go down well, but part of the problem is that eating out has become too accessible and therefor is no longer valued.

Yep, it was much better back in the day when the plebs couldn't afford to eat out!

A pp mentioned the hotels...they're very nice, lovely rooms and very reasonable.

Passmethecrisps · 17/02/2019 13:43

My eldest has eaten out on a weekly basis pretty much since she was born. There was a brief time when she simply wouldn’t sit still so we didn’t go out for food until she could manage it again.

Some people expect there children to be unconditionally welcome regardless of their behaviour or where they are. I recall being a waitress in the mid 90s and seeing some appalling parenting.

Spoons is not a great place to go but it does serve a range of ales cheaply. Not everywhere has a great range of choice

Passmethecrisps · 17/02/2019 13:44

They were escorted out? Cripes. They sound absolutely hideous.

I am sorry it has spoiled your lunch though.

Pieandpeas3 · 17/02/2019 13:44

I agree with the snobs, Wetherspoon pubs are awful places. Lots of much nicer pubs to go to.

Original poster

AleFailTrail · 17/02/2019 13:45

@Ocicat I remember when pubs did have a child free area. I was a child and we were not allowed in that bit. Made sense to me

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 17/02/2019 13:45

Being escorted out of Spoons with your DC must be a new low.

Original poster

AleFailTrail · 17/02/2019 13:46

Also as a pp said a lot of these ‘nicer’ pubs have 0 proper ales and porters/stouts.

OP posts:

NutElla5x · 17/02/2019 13:48

I find it baffling that people like you don't say anything to these rude,useless parents at the time. It bloody annoys me actually that they and their brats get away with their shitty behaviour because people are too polite or afraid to speak up. It would take me all my strength to stop myself from going over and pouring their drinks over their thick heads! DO something about it next time op!

MilkTrayLimeBarrel · 17/02/2019 13:49

Why do people call it Spoons instead of Wetherspoons - makes it sound even worse than it is! Cannot bear places with bloody kids running around.

Passmethecrisps · 17/02/2019 13:50

It can’t be impossible to imagine that not all places have a huge range and that spoons might be the best there is?

I live in a nice town but almost all the pubs have been bought over by one local chain and it is DREADFUL. Literally filthy, dreadful menu which is the same in the 5 pubs within a half mile radius of each other. There is a brew dog which is ££££££ and the spoons. It’s ok. I hate the politics and don’t go there often but it’s not dreadful.

Original poster

AleFailTrail · 17/02/2019 13:51

I actually have quite bad social anxiety, this spoons was and still is one of my safe places I don’t seem to get panic attacks at when I eat in public. I’m there regularly (2-3 times a week), know most of the staff and the cooks and can usually guarantee a porter on Thursday-Sunday.
Spoons comped is food today and have said to talk to the duty manager when we are in on Wednesday too

OP posts:

Catsandbootsandbootsandcats · 17/02/2019 13:51

Tell us more about the escorting out!

I don't mind Wetherspoons. It's not the best most fanciest place, but it's cheap and means I don't have to cook. The one I go to is nice and has a separate dining area, the local one is always full of drunk men at all hours of the day, rather dodgy.

My kids are older now, but I never let them run around. Ex even went home with one of them once when they refused to sit nicely, rather than inflict his behaviour on other people.

skunkatanka · 17/02/2019 13:51

I remember children's rooms in pubs too (child of the 70s). Bloody awful. Usually tatty and cold. Parents just need to parent their children.

ilovesooty · 17/02/2019 13:51

Since Tim Martin brought Brexit into his pubs it's hardly surprising that people comment on it.

MrsChollySawcutt · 17/02/2019 13:52

Depends on the branch - there are ones I would never set foot in but there are also rather nice ones like the one I stay in when I visit the family in Devon. Gorgeous listed building with the biggest family room/suite I have ever seen.

If I was snobby about the brand I would never have found such a nice place to stay with the family!

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