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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To refuse to buy this toy for DD?

109 replies

Inthenightskyallday · 02/09/2023 18:27

DD wants to buy the jellycat kangaroo toy as we are going on holiday in October to Australia. I’m not sure about buying it for her because some (not all) Australians see kangaroos as pests and I don’t want people to mean to her as a result for having a kangaroo. Just in terms of if anyone horrible was to say something like “why has she got a soft toy of a pest” or something more horrible. DD definitely wants to take it with her when we go so I wouldn’t be able to avoid it coming to Australia with us either. Aibu to not buy it her for this reason or am I worrying for nothing?

OP posts:
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Hibiscrubbed · 02/09/2023 19:41

I’m not sure about buying it for her because some (not all) Australians see kangaroos as pests and I don’t want people to mean to her as a result for having a kangaroo. Just in terms of if anyone horrible was to say something like “why has she got a soft toy of a pest” or something more horrible.

Surely, surely this is a piss take? You don’t actually think like this do you, OP?! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Testina · 02/09/2023 19:53

I literally typed “Australian toy” (I intended to add “kangaroo” but didn’t even need too, and this Sydney based store was the first hit.

To refuse to buy this toy for DD?
Testina · 02/09/2023 19:55

Ooooooh, mind you, MN gave me a “sensitive?” warning to consider first 🤣
Those darn ‘Roos!

To refuse to buy this toy for DD?
user1473878824 · 02/09/2023 19:55

Inthenightskyallday · 02/09/2023 18:33

I’ll have a think about it and decide. I have a few days yet as it says it is not back in stock until next week.

she also wants the bashful koala but I don’t think it looks much like a koala to be honest and it also looks a little ugly to be honest

even if everyone in Australia thought you’d bought her a plush slug who cares if she wants it? Who cares if YOU think a koala is ugly if she wants it? This is so weird.

LookItsMeAgain · 02/09/2023 19:57

Isn't the Australian rugby team (the Wallabies), isn't their symbol a kangaroo type animal? It's a national symbol in Australia. I'd hardly think that they would put a national symbol of something that they would consider vermin on everything?

Why would you think that?

Testina · 02/09/2023 19:58

Could any MN Australians confirm whether the response, “you great galah!” be appropriate?

HorseYoga · 02/09/2023 20:06

Testina · 02/09/2023 19:58

Could any MN Australians confirm whether the response, “you great galah!” be appropriate?

Personally I’m thinking OP might have a roo already… loose in the top paddock

Hufflepods · 02/09/2023 20:08

Just in terms of if anyone horrible was to say something like “why has she got a soft toy of a pest” or something more horrible.

So strange, why would anyone say that? Even in the UK kids have mice soft toys or mice dolls houses.

Eminybob · 02/09/2023 20:12

I had no idea that kangaroos are thought of as pests in aus tbh.
But if I did, if your DD desperately wanted a toy rat, would you refuse to buy one in case she's walking though London and gets ridiculed? No cause that's crazy.
My DS has a toy seagull from a popular seaside destination. Definitely considered pests but still iconic of the destination.

poppyrock · 02/09/2023 20:14

Another Australian here. This is one of the weirdest things I've ever read - as someone else mentioned, the kangaroo is on our coat of arms. It's one of our two official animals. Buy her the kangaroo! Or if you don't want to spend the money on it then don't, but come up with a better excuse 😂

HappiDaze · 02/09/2023 20:18

Love MN sometimes for the glimpse into the bizarre inner workings of peoples minds

MushroomQueen · 02/09/2023 20:20

My dad went to Oz a few years ago bought back 2 cuddly kangaroo toys for my kids, so yeah sums up their thoughts on the toys

Teddypops · 02/09/2023 20:20

Don't be ridiculous!!

Lorelielee · 02/09/2023 20:25

I worry about ridiculous stuff but ffs this peak ridiculous. Their national airline quantas has a stylised kangaroo as its logo.

i can’t work out if you just wanted to start a thread and this is the only thing you could come up with to ask about or if you are stupid. How do you function in real life??

Testina · 02/09/2023 20:25

HorseYoga · 02/09/2023 20:06

Personally I’m thinking OP might have a roo already… loose in the top paddock

Show quote history

😭😭😭😭😭

GreyRockChick · 02/09/2023 20:29

Surely this is not real?

TheNoodlesIncident · 02/09/2023 20:30

You can buy cuddly soft toy bacteria and viruses now, and various other parasitic creatures. I can't imagine anyone hassling a kid because they have a toy flea or something like that?

I'd personally want to leave it and buy a cuddly kangaroo there, more of a souvenir of the holiday than something from home?

almostoverthehill · 02/09/2023 20:37

🤣🤣🤣

Tjjd2023 · 02/09/2023 20:40

I used to have a toy rat (TY Beanie baby). That is a pest (wild ones only. of course they make lovely pets!)

frogswimming · 02/09/2023 20:41

I don't get why you are vetoing teddies because you think they're ugly. She likes them and they're for her.

GrandHighPoohbah · 02/09/2023 20:47

I am pretty sure cuddly kangaroos are a staple of the tourist economy in Australia. If anything, people will be miffed you bought it in the UK and not there! 😁

LookatEsa · 02/09/2023 20:49

LookItsMeAgain · 02/09/2023 19:57

Isn't the Australian rugby team (the Wallabies), isn't their symbol a kangaroo type animal? It's a national symbol in Australia. I'd hardly think that they would put a national symbol of something that they would consider vermin on everything?

Why would you think that?

It’s a Wallaby which is in the same animal family as kangaroos.

Wallaby - Wikipedia

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallaby

CurlewKate · 02/09/2023 20:54

@HorseYoga "Personally I’m thinking OP might have a roo already… loose in the top paddock"
😢 I haven't heard that expression since my dad died more than 20 years ago!!!!!

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 02/09/2023 20:54

LookItsMeAgain · 02/09/2023 19:57

Isn't the Australian rugby team (the Wallabies), isn't their symbol a kangaroo type animal? It's a national symbol in Australia. I'd hardly think that they would put a national symbol of something that they would consider vermin on everything?

Why would you think that?

The rugby league team is the kangaroos and the rugby union team is the wallabies (their logo is a wallaby)