Adults at petting zoos/farms/kids days out

[ExtraHotDoubleShot]

Has anyone else noticed a massive uptick in grown adults (many in late teens and 20s) going on days out aimed at kids/young families? I’m finding it increasingly irritating - small children having to queue behind grown adults to stroke rabbits or see tanks of fish.

(Exception where there is clearly a disability at play)

Personally I would not go to a petting zoo on my own I have allergies and have to be careful.

Having said that, I went with DCs and DGCs and a lot of the fun was watching the goat snatch the whole bag of feed from DSIL and scoff it all, including the paper bag. The adults were in hysterics, the kids ... not so much 😂

A petting zoo is a lovely warm wholesome environment for adults and children alike and if little Johnny/Jenny has has to queue for his/her turn then they will learn manners and respect as well. A lot of these places also ask you to sponsor an animal, and without slushy adults with more money than sense, the animals may very well end up not being adopted and prices for you and little Johnny/Jenny will rise and push it into becoming an expensive day out rather than a reasonable one.

OP, children are not the only people on the planet, if more of them learned to queue and wait we'd have a kinder, more tolerant society.

Ps a few years ago we went to an evening fundraiser at the zoo, minimum age 18, complete with petting zoo animals and others you don’t often get to handle like some snakes. All the exhibits were open for 2 hours exclusively for the guests meaning no pesky kids in the way, the chimps had special party treats in their enclosure and were mimicking guests chinking their “glasses” (plastic with very weak squash not booze!)

Year’s ago there were wild dolphins and I was so excited and enthralled to see them, but my kids were pretty indifferent. Now that to me is sad 😕

Well I’m still going on the Tea Cups at almost 51. And DH and I had a lovely time on an old fashioned carousel in the summer whilst our teenagers went on some crazy scary rides elsewhere in the theme park.

Who made you the fun police?!

I love going on the swings in the park. If I’m having a stressful day working from home, I have been known to hop on a swing whilst taking walking in the park next door to clear my head. Brings out some endorphins and helps reset my mood before I go back to my desk. Granted this is typically at lunchtime when kids are in school. But why on earth shouldn’t I be allowed to do something fun for 5 mins, now that I’m old enough to pay the council tax that pays for said swings.

I work with horses.I absolutely love them and love the time I spend with them.
Is that childish because they are an animal?

Is there a reason why your child cannot learn to wait?

I love seeing adult couples on family days out. Its refreshing seeing adults doing things that don't just involve drinking. Or just going out in the evening.

Where I have seen this is often people on what looks like to be dates. I think younger people are increasingly moving away from boozy dates in the getting to know you stage. When I was 25, I’d meet someone in the back of a dark pub and drink and chat for hours. But young people today don’t want to do that. Fantastic, let them pet bunnies then!

DH and I went to zoos, animal parks and aquariums before we had kids, we go to them with our kids (who still love them as teenagers) and we will go to them without the kids once they don’t want to hang around with us anymore.

That's a handsome skunk, @LeaderBee!

Animals bring joy to everyone, there isn't an upper age limit. Zoos and aquaria don't exist just for children, they are for everyone.

Some years ago Tate Modern had giant communal swings in its turbine hall as an installation. It was busy with adults laughing and grinning widely and a type of joy lots had forgotten. It was brilliant.

Do you think it’s sad when adults go on holiday to African safaris?

I'll admit from reading your first post, and every post of yours since, I have thought 'you miserable bastard'. You must be such poor company.

• People don’t stop loving animals once they become adults
• Your magical, precious 4 year old is not deserving of skipping a queue, even if you do think they come above everyone else on the planet.

I have kids and I 100% agree with this

I bet my adult DS and I going to see Pixar films at the cinema is on the list of OP's Proscribed Activities for Adults too.

Don't care. We love animation.

Contrary to popular belief OP, the world does not revolve around your children, and it'd be a very good for you, and them to learn that.

I waited for half an hour in a face painting queue at the zoo, as did the bloke with me because I insisted he get his face painted as a laugh. Queue of children in front and behind us. I did not give one fuck.

Most of the world doesn't give a fuck about your children. Nor do they give a fuck what you think of them. I do what I want, enjoy what I want, and I have zero concern what you, or your kids think of it. I have to tolerate them in public spaces, they have to tolerate me. It is what it is, tolerance.

That's why one should stand back to the queue. No watching

If you’re talking about manners then that stands anywhere not just petting zoos. Everyone (adults and children) should know not to queue jump or butt in. Waiting your turn is the correct thing to do, wherever you are and however old you are.

Our local university has well being days when, amongst other things, the students can pet alpacas or walk a dog. It's so popular that they've extended the programme.

It's incredibly beneficial for young adults to have interaction with animals, especially if they are away from family, maybe haven't made friends yet, or struggling with stress.

If there’s limited spaces and everyone has paid to be there then you should take that up with the farm/zoo if not everyone is going to get a turn

I missed the Tate swings, but I've seen the Amsterdam Giant Swing: https://www.jadescapades.com/adam-lookout-swing/ That looks fun for adults braver than me. (Petting fluffy rabbits I can cope with.)

I totally agree with you, OP. Of all the the things people do, this stands out as one of the very worst. The lowest rung of humanity.

Just off now to start a thread about a disgraceful spectacle I saw recently. Two adults with no children having an ice cream!

My parents, both in their 60s did the Amsterdam swing a few weeks ago. They had an absolute blast. Fun doesn’t stop when you hit a certain age.

Ironically, OP, you sound like one of those toddlers who stamp their feet and say ‘I don’t like Paw Patrol any more - I like BIG GIRL FINGS!’