To be annoyed at this child and family (on holiday)

[Blueeyedstork]

We are in Spain at the moment with another couple and their kids. DH and I have one DS (13)

a bit of backstory relevant to this is when I was 11 I was pushed out of a boat on the lake in the Lake District on a school residential trip and was not allowed to get changed until the rest of the activities that afternoon were finished. So I was wet and freezing cold. It also took someone ages to respond to the fact I had been pushed out the boat, so ever since then I have had a phobia of cold water and being out my depth. It’s got to the point where a single spash can freak me out so I stay out of the pool as I know it’s unreasonable on a family resort to ask kids not to splash. it’s my problem and I deal with it.

anyway fast forward the last 2 days we have been sat on sunbeds and there is a family of 3 kids with water guns just squirting them at everyone on the sunbeds. The first time I jumped out of my skin. My husband asked them to stop and other people have asked them to stop including a family with a child with autism who was getting really upset. The parents just shrug and said we are by a pool so we should expect it. Eventually the mothers of the child with autism when to get one of the staff members and they were told to pack it in.

today they were back doing the same thing. They got me twice and once in the face which really panicked me. The staff at the pool today were not bothered and would not tell them to stop so I spend the afternoon sitting away from the pool. I had been there about 10 minutes with my eyes shut before I feel this cold water on my face and one of the little buggers and stood there spraying right in my face. Well I feel off the chair and have injured my shoulder. My husband marched up to the staff and demanded the manager of the hotel. The lifeguard then actually asked the family to stop.

Then coming back from evening meal tonight and we were suddenly all covered with water and one of the little buggers was stood outside his chalet squirting people going past but this time he has obviously been bought the biggest super soaker in the shop. The boy laughed and shouted “dad it’s the lady who screams when she is squirted” (I didn’t really scream just let out a yelp a few times). The dad burst out laughing. I had to hold DH back from confronting him. (The dad is built like a brick shit house and looks the type that would punch someone just for fun)

anyway we when to reception and reported them but the staff don’t seem bothered. I kind of feel these boys will be out to get me tomorrow as they obviously find my reaction funny. the parents don’t give a toss

we have 3 days left and I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder all the time. What can I do or am I being unreasonable about all this

It’s not about the water.

It’s about the fact that people should be able to walk around the resort without being squirted with water.

And it’s actually common assault. The people are fearful of being “attacked” due to intimidating behaviour.

But I fear anyone saying anything on help because people like this family get off on the frat and intimidation they cause. Why else would you keep behaving so socially unacceptably even when it’s pointed out to you. They’ve even got the hotel staff intimidated which is why they won’t deal with it.

OP if you’re with a holiday company report to them. Alan to be lived or the guests are reminded make sure it’s all logged and say that if you cannot enjoy you’re holiday you’ll be seeking a refund in return.

Is that true for local laws? I think it's ridiculous to treat behaviour like this as criminal, complaints to the hotel and a review that they don't deal with bad behaviour should be sufficient.

I’ve so glad to hear you mention this.

It gives me the rage and I very nearly started an AIBU thread about it it (but wasn’t brave enough 🤣)

I'd be escalating it to the rep then directly to the holiday company if there is one.

The hotel will not do anything much. They don’t want to argue with the dad built like a brick lavatory. And clearly unwilling to stop his children behaving in such a way. They know people are there for a limited amount of time.
I am afraid the first time the children got a reaction from anyone was the response they were after. So they do it some more to get another.
You can buy a water pistol yourself and do it back. That might work. But be prepared for Dad to suddenly feel it is unfair. His children doing it you are an adult etc.
Or try not to mind. That sounds hard but in reality if the children don’t get a response eventually they will give up.
Or go somewhere away from the pool for a while. You have two days left now.
Is there a beach nearby ? Or ask the hotel if there is another pool that you could use ( could they arrange with a close by hotel to let you in to use ) etc.

Actually I don't think it is ridiculous to treat this behaviour as criminal. It's tipped over to bullying/harassment and the parents are shits not to dealt with their kids properly. I'd have been hauled away by mum or dad, given a talking to, had the water gun confiscated and thrown away and been made to apologise to the people I'd upset. But then I wouldn't have done it in the first place as I knew from a young age that it wasn't acceptable.

In Spain ask for the complaints book. It will then be taken seriously as these complaints have to be notified to the authorities and they won't want that and will do something. Google Spain complaints book for more info.

Went and when are two completely different words.

Surely you’re not sitting by a pool all week?! What a waste of a holiday! Go out and explore the local area and make the most of your time there

The chalet is unacceptable. The pool area is different. I expect to be splashed occasionally at the pool by random blasters of water. You can choose a lounger further from the pool, I wouldn’t be policing children playing with a squirter.
They’ve no idea that you have a phobia.
My children are older, they don’t use water toys, not old enough for an adult only hotel so for now it’s part of the package on a poolside trip.

It is very tempting to buy the biggest supersoaker and spray the parents straight in the face when they least expect it. Hey it's pool, what do you expect? But I wouldn't do that, then it will be tit for tat and you'll lose your moral high ground.
Yes complaints book, review about how useless hotel is dealing with problematic guests, tour agency if any. Can also bring up the recent case from Germany where it was decided you should be compensated if you are unable to reasonably enjoy your holiday due to hotel being ineffective.

Oh go stick your judgement! If someone wants to sit by the pool all week, what's it to you? My job and life are knackering. Much as I love getting out and about on holiday, relaxing by the pool is what I need sometimes.

She did choose a lounger further away. The child went up to her specifically to spray the water at her on the face.

You win the prize for the most patronising post on the thread 👏🏼

I expect to be splashed occasionally at the pool by random blasters of water.
It's not that though, OP says they are specifically squirting at people on sunbeds, not random accidental splashes.

You are being harassed. You need to speak to the Duty Manager.

Well since the parents are encouraging this behaviour, you can tell what entitled shits they will be growing up to.

Unfortunately if the hotel won't do anything, what can you do? Maybe report it to the holiday rep. Can you go off site for food?

I honestly don't understand some people and letting their kids do this shit. To actively encourage them to spoil it for others. This is where the entitlement you see today comes from, people letting kids do what they want with no consequences.

I’m surprised the staff haven’t noticed. I love Spain, the lifeguards have no problem policing bad behaviour, really surprised that they haven’t spoken to the parents.
Why didn’t anyone report it to staff? They would definitely deal with it.

Get your own super soaker and sit next to the family spraying them, their phones, their bags and their clothes all day. It’s not fair they’re missing out on the fun!

I absolutely hate this advert. Maybe that's the market that the Robinsons people are targeting. Nothing more guaranteed to stop me buying it.

I’m sorry. This is awful. Can you get out for the day/go to the beach etc? x

Echoing the advice to ask for the complaints book. Libro de Reclamaciones. It may be forms rather than a book but it is taken very seriously in Spain. You should be given a copy to retain but definitely take a photo in case you are not.
I would also consider calling the local police if there are further incidents or even calling into the police station, the local police are generally very friendly and helpful (admittedly I can only speak of my experience).

I dont think you are being unreasonable about this.
I dont think you have to explain your childhood trauma to feel its unacceptable to be repeated squirted with a water gun.
Its one thing to quite rightly think playing with a water gun/squirted toy in a pool on holiday is normal fun but squirting others without their consent is not fun.
Formal complaint in writing to manager explaining the extent of the spoiling of your enjoyment.if no response escalate, failing all else the scathing review may illicit a response. The power of a great review is not to be underestimated. Make the review balanced but highlight the issue that ruined your holiday,a bit of humour (if you can find any) works wonders too.As for what you can do to make the last few days of your holiday enjoyable id go out of the hotel for the remaining time you have.

That would just escalate matters and they probably would enjoy it more

Lol!