AIBU about a family coming and sitting right next to us on a beach.

[Pupppps]

DP and I took our DS (15) and DD (9) to the local beach for crabbing. It was quite quiet in terms of lots of space about. And plenty of spaces to crab as it is known as a crabbing spot.

We had been on the spot for about half an hour and DC were enjoying crabbing even though they were struggling to actually get any crabs.

Anyway, DD got bored so we played catch on a quiet section just up from DP and DS who were continuing to crab.
Anyway, about 5 minutes later, 2 young boys about 8 run up to DP and DS asking if they caught any crabs. DP was polite and said "just a few".
The mum then started walking towards the boys and laid her bads and crabbing equipment right next to DP and DS and she sat down.
I could see DP and DS looking uncomfortable.

About 2 minutes after that, the dad showed up and sat next to the mum. And then two teenage girls (about 15) came to sit by them so basically DP and DS looked like they were part of their group.

There were loads of other spots on the beach so I found this rude. I'd find it rude even if coronavirus wasn't about considering the beach was quiet and there were loads of spots - another family came a couple of minutes after and set up a good distance away so I don't understand why this family thought it was okay to surround DP and DS.

DP and DS packed up and said they didn't feel comfortable continuing crabbing there so we just went to get ice cream.

But AIBU to think this is rude?
I'll draw a diagram to show how close it was

I really couldn't get worked up about this enough to post. Surely if they were bothered they could have just moved a few metres

Pink is DP and DS,
Purple is family

I just am a bit annoyed that the mother didn't tell the kids to come to a different spot,
If my DD ran right up to a family, i'd tell her to come back and go find a spot

Yes they could've moved up but surely they just should have found a different spot?
Especially when social distance is currently being drilled into everyone

But why should DP and DS move because another family chose to invade their space?

It's a bit weird but if you wanted to carry on you all could have moved.

Yes and DP and DS did move but we decided to just go and get ice cream,
But my point is that I don't understand why someone would see people and think it's a great idea to plant themselves right next to them

Why go to the beach if your paranoid about covid? Only thing you can really do is move yourself

@Lardlizard i'm not paranoid about covid but I still want personal space

I'm with you op. It's rude to crows around someone who was already there when it's likely under the circs they'd feel uncomfortable and move. In fact this was clearly the point. Perhaps this is the spot they come every time? I guess he could have asked them to move along a bit, made a joke about 2m and ask bit of probably just do what he did

Is crabbing the same principle as fishing: ie the fish are attracted to a particular area (flies hatching, nymphs, overhangs, currents, etc) making it a “good spot”? Therefore people do tend to gather in a similar area? I’ve never caught crabs (of any sort!).

If so they should still have asked, or ideally been a couple meters away.
If not, then they shouldn’t have been near you!
If they wanted tips, they should’ve just asked.

Had a similar problem on Ilkley Moor today, a lady with a dog pretty much joined my group of mum friends. I found it quite rude and socially unaware!

But why should DP and DS move because another family chose to invade their space?

Well consider the options:

1. ignore them and carry on crabbing where they were
2. move and carry on crabbing
3. ask them to move elsewhere
4. flounce off and stop crabbing because they felt uncomfortable

@Saz12 they're usually found next to the rock parts,
We didn't actually have the area we wanted as the tide had come in so we were pushed back further than usual so it wasn't actually that good of a spot as they weren't catching as much,
I personally find the concept of crabbing boring as you get them and then put them back in but DP loves it,

@SleepingStandingUp maybe you're right and they love the spot but basically the whole area of the rocks in that picture i posted were free apart from when the other family came,
I'd understand if the beach was busy but there was so much space

@detachablehoof i find it incredibily rude and I don't understand posters saying "well you could have just moved" yes we could have and we did but my point still stands that it was rude and, as you said, pretty socially unaware

[quote Pupppps]@Saz12 they're usually found next to the rock parts,
We didn't actually have the area we wanted as the tide had come in so we were pushed back further than usual so it wasn't actually that good of a spot as they weren't catching as much,
I personally find the concept of crabbing boring as you get them and then put them back in but DP loves it,

@SleepingStandingUp maybe you're right and they love the spot but basically the whole area of the rocks in that picture i posted were free apart from when the other family came,
I'd understand if the beach was busy but there was so much space[/quote]
It's not an excuse, just the only reason I can think of. They were rude.

Yeah I think you are giving this too much head space, I mean a coloured diagram and all. It's annoying but just move 🤷

The diagram took 2 secs to draw,
And maybe i am giving this too much head space but it feels people are forgetting that social distancing is still a thing,
We did move but it doesnt stop me thinking how rude these people were

Also dog owners do not seem to realise that some of us do not love their animals! I wouldn't let my kid invade your picnic... please don't let your dog invade mine! and then expect me to laugh about how 'cheeky' your horrid creature is

I agree @Pupppps. V annoying on the part of the other family.
Equally when you’re on an empty bus and someone (pre-CV times) sits right next to you. Or on a train in a near empty carriage and someone gets on and sits next to you. Why??? Just piss off and give me space!

I'd find it rude even if social distancing weren't still applicable.

People are weird though best to either ask them to move or to just move yourself!

I don’t know why you’re getting so many negative responses.

Downright rude and bloody unacceptable in Covid era!

@MissMarplesHandbag yes it's the same principle! I'd never invade someone's personal space and i've always taught DC to not invade people's space, as in if they ran up to strangers asking what they'd caught i'd immedietaly call them back,
I love my DC but doesn't mean other people do

@detachablehoof similar concept but I don't want other people's children running up to me either just like I wouldnt let mine invade other people's space

@Illstartexercisingtomorrow
I don't get this whole "well you could just move" response i'm getting. Yes we could have but it's still rude to sit right on top of someone, even if coronavirus wasn't about

Ok yes it's rude, they were dickheads.

What more is there to say?

Either you ask them to move or you move those are the only possible options.