To think the ‘lonely’ man probably didn’t want his photo shared

[NCAUG]

I imagine a lot of people have seen this, v popular Facebook group. A group member has shared a photo of her son on holiday. The son saw a man sitting alone and kept him company. Mum took a picture and shared it. Cue lots of comments about how wonderful the boy is and I am sure he is. BUT - AIBU to think this is really not on?

For one thing, the man probably wasn’t lonely, just wanted to go about his business. Personally, I really wouldn’t thank a random kid for coming over and talking to me. Then the taking photos part is definitely not on. Both are highly intrusive and rude.

AIBU and a miserable cow?

Christ. What makes people even think that people on their own are lonely? How full of self importance to think someone wants to be graced with your/your offsprings presence?

No you are right, it is really patronising. And intrusive and rude. There was a woman who was videod and tiktokked being given a bunch of flowers she didn't want a while back and she was quite furious about it.

'Look at me! Aren't I great! Look at me doing this thing for likes & shares! I'm such a great person aren't I? No, it's not a filter. I always look like my eyes are on the side of my head, have no nose, lips like a bouncy castle and covered in Vaseline. But you're not looking at me being great!

3 to 1 mum saw man on his own & told her son to go over to him so she could post to social meeja. Poor bloke. What would she have done if he hadn't been so accommodating? Probably vilified him

Haven't seen it so can't comment but my mind would immediately go to 'set up for social media clout' these days.

Yes, very arrogant.

I haven’t seen the post but there was a bit of a thing a couple of years ago with people taking photos of themselves with a homeless person having bought them a sandwich/coffee. I found that really distasteful.

Ficking hate these. And videos of "good deeds". Managed to get ri of everyone on my Facebook who ever posted/reposted single one of these😁 now it's a happy place

YANBU but you should be telling the person who posted the photo, not us.

It's like the 'charity' social media videos. Someone doing something like paying for someone's shopping without them asking or wanting it, making out it is some kind pay-it-forward gift and not for likes on tiktok or whatever. It makes me irrationally angry.

So weird but I clicked off this post to FB and the post you are talking about was there! Yes, patronising and attention seeking. Poor sod probably wanted to be left alone!!

It’s awful how every action, every gesture has to be documented and constantly shared on the internet for internet points, for the whole world to see. I would be livid if I was that man, but I would also be livid if I was that woman’s child. Parents posting pictures incessantly of their children, on various social media, from the moment they were conceived, and yet the children have no say, no control over their own images that their parents are posting.

Why is there a need to share every aspect of our lives like this? Surely it must be a degree of narcissism or similar.

I haven't seen it but you're absolutely right!

Yea I saw this earlier , and my first thought was thousands of people have seen his photo without his permission, not on . He could have been a man on the run and now his cover is blown 😂

I’ve seen this too. She could have at least blurred out his face.

It’s on a Facebook group with thousands of members including several people I know. All of the replies were about how amazing the OP was, how amazing her DS was and so on. I’m not risking an online flaming under my real name and details for it.

Saw this earlier and thought exactly the same, the group in question has over a million members. I don't think taking and sharing a randomers picture like that is OK.

There were also comments sharing pictures of similar 'good deeds' with strangers. Why do people need to share!?

If I was on holiday alone I'd be a bit annoyed about a child hassling me. I'd chat for a bit to humour them but it wouldn't be the highlight of my day.

Which group is it?

If you do a vaguely good deed and you don't post about it all over social media, to show what an amazing person you/your family are, did you even do it?

Bloody hate this, you see it all over social media, particularly these influencers who give "poor" people money or food and film their reactions. It's such a disgraceful and indiscreet way to help people, all for likes and for their egos.

As for sitting on your own and being accosted by someone's kid, ugh can't think of anything worse.

Family lockdown tips & ideas

I think what really annoyed me was I know how I’d feel if I was out on my own and someone’s kid came up and joined me. I won’t lie, I’d be really pissed off!

There was a story in my local newspaper about a middle aged woman who ended up being bought a dress by some randoms. She was touched and said it made her feel beautiful. We ended up with about 4 articles in the paper about this. Not sure who involved the paper but I cringed when I saw it. So patronising but also if you were just being kind but decent you would have shunned publicity.
Is the new thing now performance charity?
there have been times when I would have been glad of such a gift , but not at the expense of being paraded as an object of pity.

That could replace "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

reminds me of the episode of black mirror set in a dystopian future where people are ranked according to likes etc. we’re not far off that now are we?