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

[quote bert3400]@Pittapitta, it's not a non issue. It's fucking annoying. It might be a non issue for YOU, but for the majority of people on this thread it's weird.[/quote]
That’s because Mn is full of people who hate any contact with another human, which does make sense for an online forum.

@Pittapitta
Are you one of those people that invade other people's personal space?

And no I don't hate human contact. I just want a nice day out with my family without another family sitting on top of you.

It is not "friendly" to invade someone's personal space.

Thanks for all the replies that are not focusing on the diagram or saying "why are you giving this much thought" - i'm sure we all have all had minor things annoy us that others would think "what are you complaining about?"

I am not replying to posts about the diagram as this is not an "aibu for drawing a diagram" post.

Yes, they were rude and annoying, much like a lot of the folk on AIBU it seems (judging by this thread). Bunch of bitches on here sometimes.

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

I do find this sad though, that your young children now feel uncomfortable around others, what will they do when they go back to school?

@OverTheRainbow88 my children do feel comfortable around others. They will cope very well in school. Even pre-covid, my children know about personal space, they also learnt it in their early years of education from teachers, it's a shame other adults don't understand the concept of personal space even pre-covid

@ThirstyGhost I think there is clearly a lot of space invaders on this thread who really believe it is friendly to sit right on top of strangers and believe strangers are rude for not wanting them right in their space

Some people are friendly and treat going out as a social activity

Some people don't

🤷

@OneTC so those who don't treat going out as a social activity, they just want to spend time with their family, are not friendly?
Okay then

I didn't say that

Bereft2020
What do you do with the crabs?

15 is quite old for crabbing. Not a criticism - I mean it sounds fun and I hope that my kids enjoy such innocent pastimes at 15 (and not drinking jk the park)

When we go away as a family this is one of our favourite days. We have a whole family competition and take along our ‘secret’ ingredients to try and win the others 😁

Lovely fun!

@Chezacheza i'm not massive fan of crabbing but DP has always loved it

[quote Pupppps]@ThirstyGhost I think there is clearly a lot of space invaders on this thread who really believe it is friendly to sit right on top of strangers and believe strangers are rude for not wanting them right in their space[/quote]
It’s not space invading when In public areas. We go to a lake that is huge. A very small patch of the lake has over hanging trees which give us shade. It’s our favourite spot. Another family sat next to us yesterday when there was literally about three two miles of lake side to choose from. It was clearly their favourite spot too.

We chatted - the kids had fun. Can’t get over your husband wanting to leave because of it

@Chezacheza that's good for you but we are not all you and just want family time without strangers,
Also, DP did not leave 'because' of the family, we got our bags and thought whether to set up somewhere else. I mentioned DD was bored of crabbing earlier so we decided to get ice cream.

@Chezacheza and yes you can invade people's spaces in public areas. Of course there are no "rules" of not going close to people but there is something called being polite and not sitting on top of people

Yes it's a bit rude but I do think you have to say something to the too-close family. If you're not willing to say something then you just have to suck it up or move. No point giving it another thought.

@MajesticWhine yes i"m not giving that incident much thought now but this thread has turned into a personal space debate

We really need some kind of traffic light system, or a "come in" / "do not disturb" system like they have in hotels for the cleaners.

Something like a green card meaning "come on over if you want" and a red card meaning "bugger off".

It would solve so many problems!

It’s not space invading when In public areas.

It is when people get far too close. Especially for those who are incapable of maintaining social distance in the current pandemic.

Dear God....don’t move to my country if this is a concern for you. Maybe they were being sociable and wanted to talk about crabbing etc...
Did you enjoy lockdown op?

Can I see another diagram please? The first one isn’t clear 😂😆

I agree that it’s not on right now when we need to socially distance. We went to the beach a few weeks ago and it was noticeable that most people were carefully choosing a spot to sit with plenty of space around them. It’s a shame that we have to do this, but that’s the way it is.

A real life flounce!

Prepare yourself to ask people to give you space next time. No right or wrong really. Some are following guidelines to the letter. Others are getting on with their lives.

Some are following guidelines to the letter. Others are getting on with their lives.

The sensible ones are trying to pretty much do both.

@Badbadbunny

We really need some kind of traffic light system, or a "come in" / "do not disturb" system like they have in hotels for the cleaners.

Something like a green card meaning "come on over if you want" and a red card meaning "bugger off".

It would solve so many problems!

I reckon coloured hats.