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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Asked to move out of the way in the zoo

232 replies

Auxiliary016 · 05/08/2021 14:45

Visited Chester Zoo today with my partner. All good - had a lovely time and admired the animals and quality of the enclosures (much more space than many I've visited before!).

I was really looking forward to seeing the Jaguars, and fabulously enough, one sat right near where I was walking, so I stopped just in front of the enclosure to admire it.

I was probably there for about 5 seconds when everyone started to crowd round, and suddenly this woman came out of the blue and said directly to me "Excuse me, coming through - I've got kids!", heavily implying me to move out of the way. I was shocked and so just moved straight away, but actually on hindsight I'm quite upset. Sad I don't have kids, but I have as much right to stand at the front as anyone else, surely? I paid for my ticket and I was only there for a few seconds. If people wait their turn, there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to get a good view.

AIBU to feel annoyed at this, and to have the right to stand at the bloody front for a few seconds if I want to?

OP posts:
FreeBritnee · 05/08/2021 17:11

That woman sounds like the kind of person the term Karen was invented for.

Martyitsyourkids · 05/08/2021 17:13

Eurgh! What an entitled cow! And I have young kids. As you say, everyone can have a turn.

Foxhasbigsocks · 05/08/2021 17:14

I have kids and I think that is VERY rude. YANBU op

MaMelon · 05/08/2021 17:22

@FreeBritnee

That woman sounds like the kind of person the term Karen was invented for.
ShockSad No it’s really not. That horrible term for a woman should be abolished.
JudgeJ · 05/08/2021 17:30

@Burnt0utMum

Surely adults generally let kids stand in front of them as they're smaller and then everyone can see? She does sound rude but you didn't have to move if you didn't want to and wouldn't be unreasonable to refuse to move but YABU to move and then get upset about it afterwards.
Because she was so rude I wouldn't have moved for a long time! As she is unable to teach her children manners, others need to step in.
NeedNewKnees · 05/08/2021 17:30

I'm just excited to discover the Jaguars at Chester Zoo are real!

I've been 7 times since they opened that area up and haven't seen a whisker. I was starting to think it was an elaborate ruse.

BuckarooWithBruceGrobelaar · 05/08/2021 17:31

Cheeky cow. I love big cats, no way would I have moved before I'd had a proper look. Last time I was there, the gorgeous black one was sitting outside in full view on one of the platforms. He was amazing. Also had the pleasure of the big male lion lying right up against the fencing in all his glory

Bloodypunkrockers · 05/08/2021 17:35

@FreeBritnee

That woman sounds like the kind of person the term Karen was invented for.
Stop it Angry
newnortherner111 · 05/08/2021 17:38

Sorry that you were so shocked you were not able to reply 'I'll just be a minute'. Wrong behaviour by the woman concerned and if her children start considering this to be acceptable, it could cause them difficulties in future. Had you been unfazed and asked them to wait, it would have been a kind thing to do and being helpful by example.

Original poster
Auxiliary016 · 05/08/2021 17:45

@FreeBritnee

That woman sounds like the kind of person the term Karen was invented for.
I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't agree with the "Karen" thing - it's awful!
OP posts:
onelittlefrog · 05/08/2021 17:46

I'd move for kids without being asked, most of the time.

But if I was very engrossed in looking at something then they can wait a few minutes like everyone else. Patience is a good skill to learn!

It's true that children can't see over adults, but adults can't see over other adults either! But I wouldn't ask them to move for me - I'd wait until they were out of the way!

TheYearOfSmallThings · 05/08/2021 17:50

If any of this really happened, the answer to "I've got kids!" would be a vague "that's nice", and go back to looking at the jaguar.

Dohrehmee · 05/08/2021 17:58

You should have stayed still and enjoyed the Jaguars and moved when you were satisfied .

tommyhoundmum · 05/08/2021 18:01

This reminds me of the time shortly after my mother died. A woman said loudly to her child about me, who was probably looking quite glum, "not everyone has a smiley face, darling,"

YNBU

Topseyt · 05/08/2021 18:10

@FreeBritnee

That woman sounds like the kind of person the term Karen was invented for.
There is always one who comes out with this atrocious comment and thinks they are being clever.

People's names should never be turned into insults. How do you think it makes people with that name feel. I know people with that name. They find the meme hurtful and embarrassing. They shouldn't have to feel that way.

OP, you sound like a very nice person but you shouldn't have moved for this arsehole. She was rude. I wouldn't have moved for her. I would have ignored her instead.

Fernando072020 · 05/08/2021 18:15

She sounds like a twat. Just cause she's got kids doesn't mean the world revolves around her. It's not like you were planning to stand there for 6 hours. I'm sure the kids could've waited

Herja · 05/08/2021 18:35

@Goldenbear

'Dwarfed by 8 year olds'?? Come off it, what a loaf of rubbish!
To be fair, my just 9 year old is exactly the same height as my best friend. I was firmly over 5 foot aged 8/9 (I was taller than my year 3/4 teacher, with bigger feet, to my imense pride as a child!). While not exactly dwarfing, it's easy enough for a tall under 10 to block the view of a short adult too.
SummerHouse · 05/08/2021 18:46

Sadly people who behave like this never change their spots. Grin

EvilPea · 05/08/2021 18:50

As a short adult I often get my view blocked by kids (pretty much most of year 6’s are taller than me). It’s annoying. But I’m also more mindful of moving so children can see.

This woman was a knob. I like to stand my ground with them (pre covid) until we are ready to move, everyone can get a turn if everyone is patient and respectful.

EvilPea · 05/08/2021 18:50

@SummerHouse

Sadly people who behave like this never change their spots. Grin
Brilliant
SummaLuvin · 05/08/2021 18:56

Zoos are horrible places. Not sure why people who claim to love animals visit them.

Animals already in captivity can clearly not live in the wild, so they should be allowed to live out their lives in sanctuary (not including being paid entertainment). And no further animals should be bred or captured for the purpose of zoos.

Flomoon · 05/08/2021 19:01

@SummaLuvin

Zoos are horrible places. Not sure why people who claim to love animals visit them.

Animals already in captivity can clearly not live in the wild, so they should be allowed to live out their lives in sanctuary (not including being paid entertainment). And no further animals should be bred or captured for the purpose of zoos.

How would you fund the sanctuaries?
SummaLuvin · 05/08/2021 19:07

@Flomoon donations from people who "love" these animals so much of course!

Or, and it's not a pleasant idea, but you cull the animals that are currently captive to stop this horrible cycle.

There's also the option of the animals being sold/given to zoos in other parts of the world, no guarantee for the same welfare however. But you also can't assume that even if it was outlawed in the UK (probably not going to happen anyway) it wouldn't be world wide so there would still be demand for the animals somewhere.

FreeBritnee · 05/08/2021 19:10

It might be awful but it’s true. The term exists whether you like it or not and it refers to people like her.

Mrsjayy · 05/08/2021 19:47

You have good support on the Cheshire live Facebook page OP 😀