To not point out story is an urban legend?

[StingLikeA]

I was in a group earlier of parents of DC's friends at a party. We were chatting away and one of them told an urban legend story (stealing a penguin from the zoo if that's relevant). I just went 'oh really ha ha' and moved the subject on as it felt really awkward.

Would you have politely pointed out that the story was a crock of shit to avoid them repeating it again? AIBU to have ignored it and presumably let them keep on telling it?

Has anyone else been told one of these face to face?

I'm just picturing them as the other lads in The Inbetweeners, saying "Well, THAT didn't happen!" the instant Jay comes out with one of his tall-tale 'anecdotes'!

@Vroomfondleswaistcoat

I completely agree when it's a false accusation of malfeasance or otherwise humiliates the subject. I do like the silly, harmless ones, though - where it's always "there was this bloke who..." rather than an actual person or company being named as being at fault. They already pretty much sound like a straightforward joke - which indeed they usually are.

That said, you're right about people's suspicious motives for starting and promulgating some of them. As you said, the dodgy restaurant ones never seem to take place in a French bistro, do they? Some of them are just racism and other hate for minorities thinly veiled with "No, but this reeeeaally happened!"

Oh my I feel like an idiot! 😂 36 and believing the swimming pool one 😬

Oh Jesus. It makes you despair for the human race really.

The only thing that makes me feel there's some truth is that Bristol zoo recently moved. The story originated about 10 years ago. So given the amount of planning involved and the need to buy and build the new site, it's not beyond the levels of belief that the guy thought he might get rumbled and simply vanished after being forewarned of the change.
He wasn't always alone when working so given he was charging £5 a car it's possible he just gave some cash in hand money and left someone he trusted to run it when he was away.
Or it could be completely bollocks....that's the beauty of the best urban myths.

Close to the poo on roof. Arguably worse.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-41167296?app-referrer=deep-link

I think this is the one you are talking about. My father told us this tale when we were young. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/craflwyn-and-beddgelert/discover-the-legend-of-gelert

A peadiatrician told me about La-a being a name and said she had to call it out in a waiting room. I've seen on mumsnet since apparently it's a racist urban legend.

the prince and his princess set out for a day’s hunting together, leaving their baby in the safe care of Gelert [the dog]

Hmm, I'm not sure the prince and princess were particularly in the best position to rule on who had made the most foolhardy and irresponsible choices!

@Stolengoat yes that's the one. I was reading about it the other day after someone else linked it. It's such a sad story! Love the history around it though.

My friend (who has alarmingly become a huge conspiracy theorist) was recently telling me in outraged tones how a school near her sister has taken out some of the toilets and replaced them with litter trays to appease children who identify as cats.