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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Couple doing the tango in finsbury park

341 replies

Mydogatemypurse · 12/04/2020 20:30

I'm staying in. My family are staying in and elderly relatives really suffering with depression and loneliness but still following guidelines. I'm exercising by walking the dog early morning around the block. I.e streets close to my house. I don't need a park or a beach. I certainly dont need to dance the tango in finsbury park. AIBU to be disgusted in people and their clear disregard for others safety. I cant believe their behaviour.

Couple doing the tango in finsbury park
OP posts:
daisypond · 12/04/2020 21:21

but the couple in question are completely showing off for attention
How do you know why they are doing it? I might think joggers are showing off for attention. Likewise those doing yoga in the park, or kicking a ball about, etc.

ineedaholidaynow · 12/04/2020 21:22

I would have smiled if I had seen that

Cam77 · 12/04/2020 21:22

@SuperMumTum
Only problem with cycling is when some people block the whole pavement and do not stop to allow others to pass - meaning it can be hard for other pavement people to keep 2m. Nothing to with cycling per se, but considerate and safe vs inconsiderate and unsafe.

wanderings · 12/04/2020 21:23

Yawn. These threads are turning MN into a really dull and boring place right now. Even the ones which turn into bunfights are now totally predictable.

Watch the government, people, not the neighbours. The government want us to be turning on each other, instead of scrutinising what they are doing. Divide and conquer.

Kastanien · 12/04/2020 21:24

It's not a holiday

But we are not in prison either. I can't see what they are doing wrong, except maybe not being miserable.

JudyCoolibar · 12/04/2020 21:24

I’d also be pissed off that they’re going to be covering a wide area, while dancing and making it more difficult for those trying to pass by.

Have you seen the size of Finsbury Park? Even the most energetic tango in the world still wouldn't make it difficult for people to pass by.

macaroniandpizza · 12/04/2020 21:25

Good on them i say for doing their excercise in a fun way

Vinorosso74 · 12/04/2020 21:25

I'm more concerned what the person in the background is doing to the tree Confused
They look they're on a fenced off part of the park not blocking the paths.
As other posters have said lots of people live in very cramped flats near them. Maybe a bit show offy but not wrong. The way some people are going on you'd think we couldn't actually leave our homes to exercise.

Crystaltree · 12/04/2020 21:25

They might be professional dancers, trying to keep fit in case they ever have a livelihood again.

carlywurly · 12/04/2020 21:26

Oh give over, let people get through this in whatever way makes them happiest. They're doing nothing wrong.

We need to come through this in the best possible mental health. I'd have liked to have seen this.

GlummyMcGlummerson · 12/04/2020 21:27

FFS what is it with the competitive misery? This is lovely!!! Wish I'd seen it, what a nice way to enjoy these though times.

You do know OP that no one ever said you could only walk or run and never stop?

RuffleCrow · 12/04/2020 21:27

Where's Oliver Cromwell when you need him?! He wouldn't have stood for this dangerous nonsense! Wink

Theflushedzebra · 12/04/2020 21:27

I'm absolutely for following the rules - not visiting relatives or mixing households, and social distancing - but YABU. As long as they live together as a couple, and kept their distance from other people, they have done nothing wrong.

I'm really shocked at the number of people being utter fun-sucking dementors about stuff like this.

SarahInAccounts · 12/04/2020 21:29

I see the joy police are here in force. I think it's lovely. Exercise is good. Much rather see them than the Lycra lot.

Cam77 · 12/04/2020 21:29

@wanderings agree. The vast majority of people are doing a great job of social distancing. If the government had just locked down earlier, or at least banned mass events, the situation would be far less severe. The risk and level of consequence from the very small proportion of current “rule breakers” pales into comparison with the government’s bad call (or lack of call) around six weeks ago.

MouthBreathingRage · 12/04/2020 21:29

How do you know why they are doing it?

Oh I don't for sure. Just making an assumption, due to the fact no one needs to practice a dance routine at the moment and there are a million other ways to exercise. Yes, 'dance is exercise as well', but no one honestly does the tango in the park in the same way one goes for a jog.

They can do as they please as long as they keep away from people, but the flip side of the argument is they may give bigger groups of people the idea that having a boogie in the park is a ok, as their routine gets on social media.

Theflushedzebra · 12/04/2020 21:30

God, it made me think of Oliver Cromwell too!

Genderwitched · 12/04/2020 21:31

It’s not a holiday

Um...ok.

This made me laugh, thank you. Why should we not treat the lockdown as a holiday if we are able and it doesn't negatively affect others? Some of us are going through truly terrible times, but if we are able to I think that we should get as much joy out of this as we can.

Xenia · 12/04/2020 21:31

Dancing the tango is following government advice as long as with the person you share a house with and is compliant with the regulations. So rather than being disgusted with people like this we applaud them as true heroes.

JudyCoolibar · 12/04/2020 21:31

Me too but if people are out doing stuff thats unnecessary they could be carriers.

Why would only be people doing unnecessary stuff that might be carriers? That's illogical.

Its just not my understanding of the minimum time spent outside necessary to protect ourselves and others

It has nothing to do with the minimum time. People out doing the tango are likely to spend less time outside than those walking, not least because it gives them a lot of exercise within a relatively short space of time.

I understood that there was a difference between exercise and hobby.

Why? I have a friend who loves walking. Should she stop because it's her hobby and therefore incapable of being exercise?

I personally think we should all be staying in as much as possible apart from the bare minimum.

But these people may well be outside for less time than you, because they can pack all their exercise into their dance routines. Doesn't that make them more virtuous than you?

GlummyMcGlummerson · 12/04/2020 21:31

Seriously why do people expect other to be wallowing in misery this whole time.

According to the OP "It's not a holiday" - so fucking what do you only ever enjoy yourself on holiday?

You'd hate me - I went to the (remained open as it's not gated) basketball court in our village today with cones, hoops and sticks and set out an obstacle course for my Kids. They even had fun 😱

If anyone wants to report me I'll PM you my name and address

Iamtryingtobenicehere · 12/04/2020 21:32

Covid really seems to be bringing out the very worst in some people.
I think it’s lovely to see a couple tango in the park.

Cosima1 · 12/04/2020 21:32

Oh fgs OP.

Just because YOU walk your dog round a block, so what?

This does not give you the moral high ground.

Many people don’t even have a dog.

Some people run. Some cycle. Some scooter. If you want to stand in the middle of an empty space and do a few minutes stretches or yoga or whatever, so what? Maybe these two were just practising for five minutes? Looks like they have lots of space around them.

So many people on their high horse on here rather than just using basic common sense - just from a picture.

paintedfences · 12/04/2020 21:32

Yeesh op. It’s just a bit of craic. Perhaps unclench just a bit.

JudyCoolibar · 12/04/2020 21:32

It's not a holiday.

Have you noticed the date, OP?