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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Group of 7 in small local cafe, shouting and spoiling others meals

28 replies

T33andMO · 23/10/2020 12:05

I'm out with OH for lunch at a small local cafe and there is a group of 7 in here all talking at full volume, shouting over one another, exaggerated laughs, you know the type of thing I mean.. it's very "look at us"

There is an elderly couple sat behind us looking miserable as they can't hear one another speak.

I couldn't hear what the waitress was saying when giving my order.

AIBU to find this fucking annoying and rude?

OP posts:
DaddysGirlforlife · 23/10/2020 12:06

Ask your waitress to tell them to keep it down!

HugeAckmansWife · 23/10/2020 12:12

Would you be so outraged if it was a group of 6? What point are you making, the breaking of covid rules, by one, which I can't get remotely aerated about or the inconsiderate noise which is a fair point?

Original poster
T33andMO · 23/10/2020 12:15

I couldn't give a shit about covid rules. I've mentioned how many of them there are so you can get an idea of the amount of noise.

OP posts:
Emmie12345 · 23/10/2020 12:15

Sorry the image of you being out for lunch furiously typing on mumsnet is quite funny

Funkypolar · 23/10/2020 12:16

Log it with 111.

Titsywoo · 23/10/2020 12:17

Why don't you just say something? I would.

JollyGiraffe12 · 23/10/2020 12:19

Say something to them

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 23/10/2020 12:24

@Titsywoo

Why don't you just say something? I would.
Problem is, if they're real arseholes, either OP will get a mouthful of abuse or they'll start in with lots of OTT 'shushing' and whispering. Either of which would be equally infuriating.

(I think you will have to say something though, now you've started a thread Grin)

Original poster
T33andMO · 23/10/2020 12:25

I started to say something "excuse me.." but OH interjected and asked me not to cause a scene or provoke one. They didn't sound the most approachable.

OP posts:
HyacynthBucket · 23/10/2020 12:29

Can you ask them to tone it down a bit because other people cannot hear other? Its possible to do it lightly and politely. There's no knowing what the reaction will be though.

LaBellina · 23/10/2020 12:33

YANBU.

But I wouldn't say anything. It's the staff's job to deal with guests that are a nuisance to others.

Brefugee · 23/10/2020 12:35

normal protocol is to say to the manager that you'Re leaving and you won't ever come back because they allow this kind of behaviour. Then go somewhere quieter.

Or suck it up.

Or cause a scene

pick one

DameFanny · 23/10/2020 12:40

Scream at the top of your voice for as close to a minute as you can. Resume eating with a faint smile on your face. Even if it doesn't work it'll be fun.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 23/10/2020 12:44

@DameFanny

Scream at the top of your voice for as close to a minute as you can. Resume eating with a faint smile on your face. Even if it doesn't work it'll be fun.
Grin But first, go and lean over their table and make eye contact with each one of them in turn while screaming. And remain deadpan.
Elai1978 · 23/10/2020 12:48

Problem is, if they're real arseholes, either OP will get a mouthful of abuse or they'll start in with lots of OTT 'shushing' and whispering.

Sounds like they’re blatantly breaking Covid rules so that’s pretty much a given.

SlopesOff · 23/10/2020 12:51

Record them on your phone and put it online. If anyone comments explain that you couldn't have a conversation over the noise so were amusing your self with the -circus- free entertainment but that you won't be coming back because of it.

SlopesOff · 23/10/2020 12:51

Strikethough fail, oops

DameFanny · 23/10/2020 12:51

Praise Jesus yes!

Doodiesbear · 23/10/2020 12:58

Having been the waitress in this situation more times than I can count, say something to the staff, but not with the tone of you blame them. At least then the waitress has a 'valid' reason to say something.
I used to try and be proactive about situations like this, only for the troublesome table to turn it on me and demand to know why I was saying anything if no one else has complained, and all the other tables shrug their shoulders and shake their heads in denial it was bothering them even if it was. And then the troublesome table end up getting an apology for my 'rudeness'.

BadlyDrawnSimpsonsCharacter · 23/10/2020 13:07

Yes this is annoying OP. The sort of behaviour you expect in a loud pub on a Saturday night.
Some people are very inconsiderate.

littlepeas · 23/10/2020 13:09

I really doubt they are doing it on purpose to annoy people or to draw attention to themselves. Do people actually set out to be loud and obnoxious? They are probably just having fun and have lost control of their volume - just get a member of staff to quietly mention it to them.

OverTheRainbow88 · 23/10/2020 13:10

I think it’s more unreasonable to be on MN when out for lunch with OH... it’s rude.

SallyTheSloth · 23/10/2020 13:11

@Funkypolar

Log it with 111.
I think you meant 101 Wink
rookiemere · 23/10/2020 13:37

We had this situation in a pub. Table of 6 came in and were talking ridiculously loudly, one woman in particular had a braying laugh. Forever impressed at the lady at the table next to them who calmly turned round and asked - ever so politely - if they could keep the volume down a bit as they might not be aware but their voices were carrying quite a lot.

The table were still noisy to such an extent that we didn't bother with dessert, but it did reduce the overall level somewhat and also even they had to stop talking when they were eating.

mumwon · 23/10/2020 13:59

rather yell you could practice an Australian coo-ee
(not helpful Grin)

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