For being annoyed I was asked to stand on a bus because of dog allergies?

[anywayhereswonderwall]

I went to visit a friend in London today and I took my dog. It's worth noting she is a mini poodle, and hypoallergenic, and well behaved. You can barely even tell she's there. I got on the bus as part of my journey. It was the middle of the day so there were a few empty seats (but not loads).

I got on and sat down, and the woman a few rows behind me said 'can you move , I have a dog allergy'. I apologised and moved a few rows forwards, the furthest forwards I could go and still get a seat.

She then shouted forwards 'not far enough, you're going have to stand at the front'.

I was confused, but did it. I spent the rest of the 35 minute journey standing right at the front of the bus while the woman was 3/4 of the way along, sitting.

I did what she said for the journey, but when I got off I felt annoyed and I'm not sure if I'm justified.

I'm a dog owner and I honestly didn't realise that you could take dogs into all these places now. I'd never take my dog anywhere indoors as I feel it's not fair on other people. Not everyone likes dogs.

I take my dog places that are outside but that's about it. I wouldn't even want to take her in a hotel room or a shop because she's annoying 😂

This was our issue I think I just didn’t realise how many places allow dogs now than ones that don’t it’s changed drastically in a short space of time so it wasn’t something I risk assessed

To be fair I think this is an area that has undergone change recently. When I was growing up the expectation was very much that dogs were keot out of kitchens, dining rooms etc, at least in public spaces, restaurants, cafes and the like. The dog friendly culture is more recent. I'd still be quite surprised to see a dog in a cafe, unless it was an assistance dog or an outdoor cafe catering to dog walkers in a park or sometime like that.

Fair enough, my dog is not annoying and I very often take her in cafes 🤷‍♀️

I’d have had headphones in anyway so she’s lucky you heard her really. Id have been sat there looking like a right ignorant bitch

@Marshmallowblondie I don't think so, I've had a dog 16+ years, always know dog friendly establishments.

It's hardly a new thing and I still stand by a responsible parent with an autistic child scared of dogs should check.

I also say, I hope the lesson has been learnt

No matter what your views dogs are allowed in certain cafes and that's it,

I'm not arguing against dogs being in cafes at all, but I feel that the balance has been tipped far too much in favour of dog owners - and that's it @nomoredriving

Well the fact that it's so popular points to it being...... well very popular.

People like if.

I see you won't answer that the mother with the autistic child was wrong to not safe guard her child.

@Phoebo Taxi is a £30 round trip and I can't walk long distances due to my disability.

Maybe it depends where you live so.
I don't think any of the 6 cafes near me welcome dogs, at least I've never seen a dog in any of them and I go out for coffee regularly. The only exceptiòn is another near the park that has a large outdoor area. Dogs are often outside there, never seen one inside though. My friend has a dog and that's the only local cafe she feels able to bring her dog to. So maybe it's area dependent?

I have recently had the owners of a bakery, two restaurants and a grocery store actually come out on to the pavement and invite me in with my dog when I've been looking at their windows. I'm thinking things must be really, really tough for businesses at the moment. I don't blame them one bit for trying to cater to every customer rather than focusing on one demographic.

@nomoredriving I didn't even know you could take dogs in some cafes. I always thought it would be classed as unhygienic due to there being food involved.

My dog would bark at a leaf blowing through the cafe so I tend to leave her at home

I would have ignored her after initially moving her forward. It’s public transport & you’ve just as much a right to use it.

You can take dogs into cafés, but only into food serving areas. They can't be in food preparation or storage areas - and this is one of the few areas where guide dogs can be legally refused access.

@Fourteenhouses

My dog is more important to me than your child.

If I took my dog into a dog-friendly cafe, I wouldn't be leaving. You're the one who has the issue so you should be the one leaving. The onus is on you to check out places first.

And I say this as someone with a dog who I almost never take into indoor public spaces (other than the odd country pub where it is more canine than human!) because she's a big dribbling fur ball and I actually don't think it's fair for me to take her into that places that she will drool all over - even though she is welcome in places!

I see you won't answer that the mother with the autistic child was wrong to not safe guard her child.

I wasn't there, so I couldn't possibly comment. If you posted this in the autism topic I think the posters would have you for breakfast.

I have no skin in the game. I'm just trying to add some balance.
I don't dislike dogs
No-one in my house is allergic to dogs
No-one in my family disliked dogs
No-one in my family has autism

However, if my order had already been brought to my table and my child was having a complete meltdown my sympathies would be with the mother of the child, not the dog owner.

I cannot believe you've never been in a cafe where a dog was present! According to MN, many posters are unable to find a cafe that doesn't have a dog in it!

No, you weren't there, so not sure why you decided to pick an argument with me about it?

You seemed super sure of the situation.

You seemed super sure of the situation.

So do you.

I have never seen a dog in a cafe either and if I did, I would kindly walk away and find a dog free one.

It's just so odd you jumping in telling me I'm wrong, when the original post I put wasn't even to you.

The PP admits "everywhere" is dog friendly now, but didn't check the cafe. I expect the cafe owner was unhappy with loss of income as well.

places like cafés are (or should be) shit hot at knowing how to attract customers. Covid did for a lot of places, but other places have adapted (went to doing take aways, deliveries, etc etc) and have now realised that being dog-friendly is how to keep their takings up.

If lots of people started to say - without getting all in their face and entitled about it - that they're not going to come any more because of all the dogs (for whatever reason, allergies, afraid, dogs not under control) an excellent café will adjust their policy.

I still think a sticker or a sign on the door (or a dog bowl with water outside as a huge clue) to say either "no dogs at all" (with caveats for guide dogs) or "dogs welcome" which would help a lot of us decide where we want to spend our time/money.

@Brefugee I assume that cafes know their clients, what attracts custom and act accordingly.

I still think a sticker or a sign on the door (or a dog bowl with water outside as a huge clue) to say either "no dogs at all" (with caveats for guide dogs) or "dogs welcome" which would help a lot of us decide where we want to spend our time/money.

Yes. I agree

Not entirely true: depends on the exact bit of dog you are allergic to. My husband has serious dog allergy (breathing difficulties) but the breed we have, like poodle, doesn't raise a single symptom