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)

What a bizarre attitude. I have always taught my children patience and learning to wait their turn but clearly we have different parenting styles

I borrowed the entire set a while back - there are about 15 of the buggers! I had no idea there were so many. I only remember a handful from when I was younger.

(The OP will pop by soon, no doubt to tell me I'm to old for that too)

Exactly this!

aside from that if someone finds enjoyment in it they shouldn’t necessarily stop doing it just because they are an adult. And not everyone has kids to come with.

I rediscovered a lot of hobbies I enjoyed as a child (cycling in nature , rollerskating and baking) during lockdown and it improved my mental health. For some people maybe petting zoos give them a similar boost to their mood or mental health.

Why would you be so miserable as to begrudge people some happiness? There’s nothing inherently childish about petting animals. Ffs.

No they can’t. The reality is people like this always lack intelligence, struggle with critical thinking and have a very limited way of seeing things.

Come to the park when it’s a Pokémon go event you’ll see many a ‘sad bastard’ me included wandering round ‘ catching them all’ from kids to us oldies

If the animals had a voice, I suspect they would much prefer being petted by an adult rather than a child.

Your issue seems about waiting though. I don't get at all why that's an issue. Children are perfectly capable of waiting their turn like everyone else.

Of course it isn't. Most humans, adults as well as children, enjoy interacting with friendly animals and it's known to be beneficial to mental and emotional lhealth.

Hmmm! Ive washed a pig and ridden the teacup rides!!
Ive always lived animals but have never owned my own until 6yrs aho when we got our dog. Since then my link to animals has risen and I love to spend time with them. Animals are taken into hospitals and care homes as their presence is a very calming influence. I recently saw a small pony that goes into hospital, on ALL the wards, and its proven to improve the mental health of those who come into contact with them. Why shouldnt adults want to do that?

Who says it is a "childish " activity. I think it is great 20somethings and above are going out and about having nice days out, next you will be saying Safari parks and zoos are just for the exclusive use of children

I'd think of it as an early lesson in taking turns and learning to wait for gratification. 😉

Saw this and thought of this thread 🤣

All because you think being an adult means being utterly miserable and joyless doesn't mean other adults do?

And what's the difference between your child waiting for another child to finish petting a rabbit or waiting for an adult?

OP, I think you are being a bit churlish. It might not be your bag but clearly, to many others its a really lovely thing to do and if they pay for it, why not?

Surprisingly, the people who work there looking after said fluffy animals are probably there because they like fluffy things too.

Any have you ever been to Legoland....meant to be for kids initially but a whole industry has grown up around it, because its relaxing, fun and engaging.

Are adults not allowed that too?

What about football, etc, all stuff kids play and yet grown adults do it too? Where do you draw the line? Have you ever seen adults at a footie match...now you could have a point there as some of them de behave like spoiled brats there.

And ultimately, where is the harm? I think you need to start seeing it from other peoples perspective, thinking contrary to you is allowed you know.

Well your narrative of this being a thing with hapless young or child free adults doesn’t even tie in with what Op said.

She has complained about older adults there with grown up children. The “older adults” are likely Gen X or older. So many of these people will have progressed through their career already and had children already.

And not everyone wants kids anyway. My friend in the US goes to Disney at least once every year. 40, no kids and she has a thriving career in tech and a great relationship with her fiancé. I don’t get the link between being playful/whimsical and not being able to be mature.

Some of the most miserable, dullest people are the ones worse at raising kids and aren’t necessarily any better at moving up in their career.

As an educator I found the naturally playful adults who always enjoyed these so- called “child activities” sometimes had an advantage when they had their own kids.

Adults attending these events as well just means they have more funds to stay open and keep providing these events and opportunities. I don’t think there’s any age limit for being interested in animals and wanting to interact with them.

My Uncles care home has a therapy dog and in the nicer weather little horses come in, teeny tiny horses! 😍 they also have chickens that residents help look after.

Yep. www.simplypsychology.org/marshmallow-test.html

Indeed. Though they can't be any worse than adults who play with little toy soldiers. My ex, brought me back to his house once to show me this thing he called Warhammer and, I never got the ick so fast in my life 🤢

OP is a fully paid up member of the fun police.

Quite sad, really. I feel sorry for her.

Efteling is much much better AND you get to talk to the REAL Pus 'n' boots 😉

Good point.
YABU Op

I would love a swing. It's top of my list when I win a million pounds. Is this wrong?

Oops pic didn’t add

This is the sort of thing DS and his GF do ( both aged 22) but than the hard drinking we were up to at their age it is also affordable for them. Remeber todays young adults had their childhood cut short by COVID.

My mother too. She was holding forth on colouring books for adults, and was quite put out when I said that I enjoyed them without a trace of shame or embarrassment.