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AIBU?

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Original poster

DC upset I made us walk out of ‘show’ due to rude comments

45 replies

Holidaysam · 30/08/2025 17:51

We’ve just returned from a few nights away in the UK.

A couple of days ago, we were walking along the harbour area and noticed a sort of free outdoor performance - think a local costume group involving juggling, some acting etc. Our two young DC were really keen to go so we took our seats.

This was about 10 minutes before the show was scheduled to start, during this time one of the group, an older man in costume, was shouting out to people walking past using a mic to try and get them to join.

He started making comments to random people which I felt were really inappropriate, especially for a children’s show. He asked an older couple if they were called ‘Fred and Rose’, speculated if two men walking past were friends or in a relationship by mimicking a limped walk whilst holding his bum, and then once a man and woman walked past he said ‘I wonder why he’s with her’ and pretended to cup a pair of breasts.

I told our DC to get up and walked away. My youngest then started having a tantrum and was crying that we couldn’t watch the show.

DH said to me after that we should have stayed for the kids’ sake and ignored the old man. I felt this was a completely unsuitable environment at the best of times let alone for a supposed children’s show. Would you have stayed or do you agree with me leaving?

OP posts:
Chompingatthebeat · 30/08/2025 17:54

i would have stayed to watch the idiot make more of a fool of himself

BetweenTwoFerns · 30/08/2025 17:56

Was your trip to the 1970’s? I wouldn’t want to sit through anything so shit so I’d have left too.

NomoneyNoprospects · 30/08/2025 17:57

Bloody hell! I'd have walked out too. Was he definitely part of the show and not some drunk loon?

Whatareyoutalkingaboutnow · 30/08/2025 17:58

I couldn't witness that sort of cringe behaviour, no way.

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 30/08/2025 18:01

I would have left.

I can't bear watching people make fools out of themselves.

I think all the embarrassment they should be feeling gets transferred to me for some bloody reason and I'm left there cringing my arsehole inside out.

Original poster
Holidaysam · 30/08/2025 18:01

NomoneyNoprospects · 30/08/2025 17:57

Bloody hell! I'd have walked out too. Was he definitely part of the show and not some drunk loon?

Yes he definitely was, and he wasn’t slurring - it was only late morning!

OP posts:
Echobelly · 30/08/2025 18:02

YANBU - I hate confrontational picking on people 'humour', especially in a scenario like that where people haven't consented to be a part of it. I don't know if the show would have been inappropriate, but it certainly suggests it wouldn't have been very good.

Silverbirchleaf · 30/08/2025 18:03

I’d be tempted to contact the organisers of the event, over his inappropriate language.

LlynTegid · 30/08/2025 18:16

Silverbirchleaf · 30/08/2025 18:03

I’d be tempted to contact the organisers of the event, over his inappropriate language.

I agree.

I think you did the right thing, and should explain to your DC why in an age appropriate way. For example the Fred and Rose comment as being about a couple who killed many young women.

Soonenough · 30/08/2025 18:21

You were absolutely right. And are teaching your kids a valuable lesson in that noone should tolerate or listen to such offensive material. I probably would have gone further and complained to Council's Arts Department that may have given them permission. No way would I have appeased your child just because he cried.

ginasevern · 30/08/2025 18:22

Jesus. What city was this in? It sounds that a Bernard Manning tribute act. I would've walked away even if I didn't have kids. What was the reaction of the rest of the audience?

Lifestooshort6591 · 30/08/2025 18:28

Where on earth was this? You did the right thing. I would have done same.

chuggabo · 30/08/2025 18:42

I would have done similarly. I have walked out of Punch and Judy that had a plot of domestic violence. It really was not "the way to do it".

It can be hard being the fun police- but once you've seen something you can't unsee it. Good for you OP.

CeciliaDuckiePond · 30/08/2025 18:44

If he was like that with passers by, I dread to think how he'd have treated the audience.

CeciliaDuckiePond · 30/08/2025 18:46

chuggabo · 30/08/2025 18:42

I would have done similarly. I have walked out of Punch and Judy that had a plot of domestic violence. It really was not "the way to do it".

It can be hard being the fun police- but once you've seen something you can't unsee it. Good for you OP.

Not the point of the thread, but doesn't Punch and Judy always have a plot of domestic violence? Or is there some modern version nowadays where Punch just cooks the sausages for the family's tea 😆

itstartedinthepeaks · 30/08/2025 18:48

Chompingatthebeat · 30/08/2025 17:54

i would have stayed to watch the idiot make more of a fool of himself

How does that work?

He thinks you’re enjoying it because you stay; you aren’t enjoying it. What’s the point?

Gabbycat245 · 30/08/2025 18:53

Goody2ShoesAndTheFilthyBeast · 30/08/2025 18:01

I would have left.

I can't bear watching people make fools out of themselves.

I think all the embarrassment they should be feeling gets transferred to me for some bloody reason and I'm left there cringing my arsehole inside out.

I am exactly the same!

InterestedDad37 · 30/08/2025 18:55

Lowest common denominator 'end of the pier' stuff... the trouble is, there is value in such seaside entertainment, but it really doesn't have to be crude - especially not with kids around. A bit of panto-style innuendo that goes over kids heads is sort of OK, but not the crudeness you witnessed, that belongs in a shit nightclub 50 years ago. You were right to take them away.

Bluesey · 30/08/2025 19:07

God god you did the right thing, totally inappropriate.

MoominMai · 30/08/2025 19:08

Yes you do the right thing. Interesting how those who have voted YABU haven’t left any comments backing up their logic 🤔

CallieOMally · 30/08/2025 19:16

chuggabo · 30/08/2025 18:42

I would have done similarly. I have walked out of Punch and Judy that had a plot of domestic violence. It really was not "the way to do it".

It can be hard being the fun police- but once you've seen something you can't unsee it. Good for you OP.

No way 😂

jonthebatiste · 30/08/2025 19:26

In my experience of such things, it would only have been a matter of time before the race-based comments, or MIL “jokes”, or misogynist remarks appeared. I wouldn’t waste a second of my time on such a person, and I’d go out of my way to ensure my DC know that such stuff has no space in our lives.

EchoedSilence · 30/08/2025 19:32

I'm laughing at someone walking out of a Punch and Judy show 🤣

CallieOMally · 30/08/2025 19:37

EchoedSilence · 30/08/2025 19:32

I'm laughing at someone walking out of a Punch and Judy show 🤣

Laughing but not remotely surprised to read it on here

AppleKatie · 30/08/2025 19:38

I wouldn’t walk out of Punch and Judy but my kids would have got a roughly three week lecture on the social/cultural/historical context of it had we stumbled across one when they were too young to have already formed their own opinions 🤣

I likely would have walked away from this and told the kids ‘I’ve just realised this isn’t a children’s show’. I’d probably buy ice creams to try and lighten the mood though!

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