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AIBU?

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Original poster

Seadide stupidly busy

576 replies

mummydoris2006 · 20/05/2020 16:22

I live in a seaside resort (Slegness) and today it is absolutely heaving with people. I understand new guidelines say you can drive and enjoy the beach etc for the day but people are really taking the Mickey!

The beach has human excrement on it, the queues for supermarkets are worse as people are queing hoping they can use the toilet and one person even knocked on a residents door and asked if his pregnant girlfriend could use the toilet. Upon being told no he told the homeowner they were out of order as she was pregnant and they'd drove from Essex.

I keep seeing threads where people that live by the sea etc are being slated for not welcoming visitors but the reality is due to the amount of people flocking to the coast we can't safely enjoy our own hometown, the streets are far to narrow to be able to stay 2m away from people with the influx of visitors.If any local dares to comment we are immediately hit with the "you wouldn't have jobs if it wasnt for us". Neither my own or any of my families jobs are tourist reliant and amazingly we manage to keep our economy going well enough during the winter months.

I understand people want a bit of normality and it's really hard on children but surely you should respect the place you visit and as people that live here all year round we should be able to safely enjoy our own hometown.

OP posts:
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frillyfucks · 21/05/2020 11:40

I started by looking at those photos of crowded beaches and thought "what a load of muppets". But actually, that's a very easy conclusion for me to draw, sat in my nice secluded garden, enjoying the weather.

I think a great many of us are so lucky that we don't honestly realise how a lot of people live. We're farmers so space outdoors is one luxury I have always had. Admittedly I can't Imagine what it's like to live in a home with no garden or outside space, and I don't think anyone can judge them unless they have lived like that. I wouldn't go to the beach this weekend, but I have a luxury of my own space.

The fact car parks and facilities are still shut in seaside/popular resorts is a fucking travesty- it's basically you can enjoy our beautiful beaches but only when all of our shops and restaurants are open so we can pick your pockets.

KKSlider · 21/05/2020 11:43

surely that applies to you as well..otherwise that would just be massively hypocritical of you wouldn't it?

You really can't see the difference between locals using a beach and tourists travelling in from elsewhere to use a beach? Are you being deliberately obtuse?

I live near the beach. I can go to the toilet in my own house before I leave and go home again if I need it while I'm there. I can eat at home so no litter to throw away while I'm out. I'm not parking my car anywhere either than outside my own house. If I did need to go into a supermarket or petrol station or other shop I'm not using any additional services that I wouldn't already be using anyway as a resident.

And yes, when Boris Johnson said to use commonsense he really should have accounted for the fact that many people have none.

FliesandPies · 21/05/2020 11:48

And yes, when Boris Johnson said to use commonsense he really should have accounted for the fact that many people have none

Including Boris Johnson.

I live near the beach That isn't what the poster I was quoting said. They have found a secluded beach so presumably they don't live right next it, they will have to drive, probably take a picnic and might well need the loo while there.

Alsohuman · 21/05/2020 11:50

Like arranging for the elderly to get food parcels, and deliveries of medication

That’s what NHS volunteers, 90% of whom haven’t been called on, are supposed to be doing.

Making sure things like waste collection keeps running, opening schools safely, managing parks and green spaces safely

All of which is the day job and business as usual.

and upping funeral and bereavement services and getting the crematoria to run overtime

Which would have been well in hand by the time the death rate hit its peak. Funerals are actually happening in less time than normal now.
It’s a litany of excuses as usual. No wonder I begrudge my Council tax.

PafLeChien · 21/05/2020 11:51

But you just said they shouldn't go for a few weeks. And surely that applies to you as well..otherwise that would just be massively hypocritical of you wouldn't it?

FliesandPies stop being goady and stop twisting every sentence.

When beach and tourist areas are kept clean on rainy day despite locals visiting them, it's pretty clear it's the "tourists" who are guilty of making a mess when they decide to come in a crowd on a sunny day.

PafLeChien · 21/05/2020 11:53

I think a great many of us are so lucky that we don't honestly realise how a lot of people live.

nice thought, but at least half the visitors are far from deprived - look at the cost of their vehicles and the distance they drove. Hardly people struggling financially.

Alsohuman · 21/05/2020 11:54

When beach and tourist areas are kept clean on rainy day despite locals visiting them, it's pretty clear it's the "tourists" who are guilty of making a mess when they decide to come in a crowd on a sunny day

That’s not only beside the point but also entirely reinforces the “responsible local, chavvy visitor” narrative. It’s all right to take the plebs’ money when everything is open, though.

OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow · 21/05/2020 11:54

Admittedly I can't Imagine what it's like to live in a home with no garden or outside space, and I don't think anyone can judge them unless they have lived like that.

Well then you go to park nearby, or travel to nearby national park/aonb/woods/green. As we all who lived in apartments did before🤷🏻 You don't need to travel to an overcrowded beach.

PafLeChien · 21/05/2020 11:55

it's basically you can enjoy our beautiful beaches but only when all of our shops and restaurants are open so we can pick your pockets.

maybe a tourist tax would be better, even a daily one on top of the car parks, but not sure how you implement it. Same as the congestion charge maybe? That's not a bad idea but it would only work for drivers.

FliesandPies · 21/05/2020 11:57

FliesandPies stop being goady and stop twisting every sentence

I'm neither goading nor twisting. I have quoted what pp have put down and I find it extremely hypocritical for pp to say others should stay away because of lack of facilities while stating they are off to the beach with no facilities.

Ohfrigginghellers · 21/05/2020 11:58

I agree with you. I wouldn't go to the seaside right now unless I lived there.

PafLeChien · 21/05/2020 11:59

and I find it extremely hypocritical for pp to say others should stay away because of lack of facilities while stating they are off to the beach with no facilities.

what's hypocritical? Do you relieve yourself in the bush in your local park or wherever you are walking, or are you just close enough to pop home when you need?

Are you happy if I come visiting your area and my family use your local streets or park as public toilets, or are you just hypocritical?

FliesandPies · 21/05/2020 12:03

what's hypocritical?

You have just quoted exactly what I wrote where I stated clearly what is hypocritical so why ask?

FliesandPies · 21/05/2020 12:04

Are you happy if I come visiting your area and my family use your local streets or park as public toilets, or are you just hypocritical?

And that's a ridiculous comparison

PafLeChien · 21/05/2020 12:06

And that's a ridiculous comparison

well quite, one is your home, the other not your problem, we get that Grin

Alsohuman · 21/05/2020 12:06

Not only a ridiculous comparison but entirely missing the point. Which is if councils did what they’re paid for and opened toilets there wouldn’t be a problem.

PafLeChien · 21/05/2020 12:08

You have just quoted exactly what I wrote where I stated clearly what is hypocritical so why ask?

I honestly don't know if you are genuinely not understanding the difference between someone going to a beach close by where they don't NEED to use any facility, as opposed to day (or weekend) trippers who have to pee and poop at some point.

I believe you are just try to wind people up, no one can struggle so much, or try so hard to convince themselves they have a right to do whatever they please.

ITonyah · 21/05/2020 12:11

fliesandpies

I live near the sea. It is lovely. I can go to the loo before I go, eat before I go, swim. I know where the secluded beaches are and where to park safely. If I need a pee I go in the sea. We take a towel each. There usually loads of space even in the school holidays.

FliesandPies · 21/05/2020 12:11

Strange, I thought you were high above goading Chien?

Your comparison is ridiculous because no one is using your streets or parks as toilets either. If people are having to use the beach for a toilet that's a failure on the part of the council.

OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow · 21/05/2020 12:13

It's a fucking pandemic. Maybe British public should stop being so fucking special🤦

Councils are under pressure because they are understaffed while trying to run necessary services. The fact that someone feels like they "simply must go to the beach today, darling" doesn't mean that council must divert power and money, and actually even more than usual because more cleaning is required, to clean toilets. Do you not understand that the toilets would soon become an ultimate corona spreading zone? Just stay near your area or go where toilets are open. It's really that simple.

Seriously, this thread shows taht some people are here just to make arguments for fun, because no one can be that obtuse🙄

ITonyah · 21/05/2020 12:14

Seriously, this thread shows taht some people are here just to make arguments for fun, because no one can be that obtuse

^^this

Alsohuman · 21/05/2020 12:16

Seriously, this thread shows taht some people are here just to make arguments for fun, because no one can be that obtuse

That’s what I thought until I read your post. How is it that some councils have managed to open toilets? Do they have super powers?

OmgThereAreNoPlanesAboveMeNow · 21/05/2020 12:16

Maybe because every town is different and has different budgets...
Use your brain

PafLeChien · 21/05/2020 12:17

because no one is using your streets or parks as toilets either
Why, because only LOCAL people use them, not entitled morons?

If people are having to use the beach for a toilet that's a failure on the part of the council.
or they could just blame themselves for being stupid? You are blaming farmers for having to poop in a field because they didn't provide outdoor loos for non-invited visitors either?

Unless you heavily fine people, they don't care about anything.

I do love the fact that someone has to pipe up blaming everyone else for antisocial and disgusting behaviour Grin

cologne4711 · 21/05/2020 12:18

Right now that infrastructure isn't there so all these people descending on tourist areas are putting a strain on local services that aren't currently prepared for additional people, they are forcing out the residents who - shocking as it seems to some - have a right to use facilities and outdoor spaces in their local area

And if they stay at home they're forcing out people in their local areas.

Selfish though it may seem, I am more than happy if half the inhabitants of my town up sticks to West Wittering because then I can go out for a nice run here without having to spend the entire time people dodging.

(I always refer to West Wittering, because according to my local Facebook groups there are no other beaches worth visiting - I have personally never been there).