Stranger picked baby niece up.

[Whiskersonkittens21]

I was out for a meal with my 10 month old niece today, my mum, my dad and my partner. As I walked in and said Hello to my niece a lady from a couple tables over shouted over "she's coming home with me". I have anxiety so a stranger talking to me would set me on edge anyway so I just laughed and sat down. My mum and dad went up to the bar to order so my niece became fussy and began crying as my mum went out of sight. Within seconds this woman swooped over and grabbed my niece out of her high chair and began hugging her. I was literally too stunned to speak. I took her off her and took her away as I was absolutely baffled.

AIBU to think she shouldn't of grabbed her or was this woman just being friendly?

Chonfox maybe they feared you would have knocked them out you know being British (assuming you are)

I’m a single parent maybe ds looked throughly bored of my company

I remember being passed around by all the awful men in Turkey, I absolutely hated the fact my parents let complete strangers pick me up and even kiss my cheek. Why bother advocating bodily autonomy when apparently strangers forcing hugs and physical contact is absolutely fine.

And perhaps British people are “uptight” but perhaps Italians or Greeks have no respect for others? Or don’t understand boundaries? Works both ways the whole cultural differences thing doesn’t it.

My dear Mum had four children. In her last few years she had dementia. During one of our last family get togethers we were all in a restaurant.

There was a baby crying for quite a long time. I was sitting next to Mum and she kept telling me that the baby was crying.

When I got up to take her to the loo, she veered off to see the baby.

I had to stop her touching the baby. It was heartbreaking to be honest. The baby's mother gave me a very filthy look despite my attempt to explain.

I don't think it's British people that are uptight about it. I think it's English people. In Scotland and in Ireland, it wouldn't be odd for someone to talk to a baby or lift them if they were crying.

What gives a stranger the right to pick someone else’s baby out of a high chair? Fine if they ask first and you are ok with it

Do some of the posters who think it is fine just grab random babies out of pushchairs as you are walking along the street just because you want a hug.

What age does it become a no and your child has a choice?

@Divebar2021

It isn’t really weird… it’s slightly disconcerting that’s all. Best you don’t ever visit Italy.

Agreed! My son got so much fuss-Italians and Southern Europeans generally aren’t like the uptight British.

However i never touch other people’s babies.
If they are especially sweet or well behaved - Again as a lot of non UK babies seem to be- I do acknowledge how good they are.

@Chonfox

Wondering why the Italians didn't deem my babies worthy of being picked up now...

Maybe, at the resort you visited, the were told that the British don't like that.

I think picking her up and cuddling her was a bit much but showing an interest is OK.

I wouldn't like this either and would have reacted the same way as you

V strange behaviour!

@Divebar2021

British people can be strangely uptight

And aggressive apparently. I can remember visiting Italy when my DD was about 18 months. I think she got whisked off or picked up by every waiter or waitress we had.

Italy was affected quite hard during the pandemic so I’m sure most Italians would have more sense then to pick up a strangers baby without permission in the current climate.

I can only assume that a number of fake Russian bots are on here peddling propaganda as the conversation has turned from the acceptability of picking up a strangers baby to the merits of being from different Nationalities.