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)

Who do you think looks after the goats, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs etc? Who cleans up their poo and turns out in all weathers to feed them and look after them?

It won't be five-year-olds!

Job roles as animal keepers are hugely sought-after for a reason - we don't all stop liking animals when we turn 18, and that's a good thing as we need adults to look after animals including the non-fluffy activities such as mucking them out and looking after them when they're unwell,

No I’m actually very strict about behaviour in adult environments.

But I think the favour should be reciprocated.

Hahaha this 🤣

Also, what about children in 'adult' spaces? They are found in pubs, restaurants and everywhere these days. If adults cant pet guinea pigs then children should be banned from the mucky pubs too ( this is lighthearted before someone jumps on me)

Yes behind an adult who is desperate to hold a hamster…

That is life. Teach your kids to queue , and not let them grow up thinking they have to be first for everything just because they are children.
But you will be teaching them not touch animals in a petting zoo once they turn 16, eh.

How strange, that’s quite an unusual view you have OP. Who told you adults shouldn’t be interested in animals or interacting with them?

Really quite bizarre.

Maybe you should. You might unclench a bit.

Kids can queue with everyone else, suck it up, buttercup.

I let the kids go first.

I have a dog, I have lots of endorphins. I wouldn’t enjoy watching a 4 year old wait as I stroked a rabbit though!

If you have children you aren't allowed to touch.

Children only!...

I line up to pet animals. Yes. I am a grown up but I see no reason not to. But ok I also go on the tea cups at the fair - and pay a ticket. Never had a no from staff.

I am so jealous, I love donkeys.

This is a mental take. Of course adults are allowed to pet the animals. Do you know how therapeutic it is to stroke a bunny?

Lots of adults probably need it more than the kids!

What’s infantilising about visiting a petting zoo/safari park/theme park? Yup, I’m an adult and I hold down a pretty responsible job. I also enjoy feeding lambs at Easter and visiting theme parks, without children in tow. I still somehow manage to go about my adult responsibilities

That sums it up nicely. Its adults who buy pets.

Not all of us can have pets, so that few hours on a Saturday looking at goats, sheep, donkeys or whatever might be as close as they are going to get.

The main petulance on display here is you. The world is not set up for the benefit of Princess Doubleshot.
Tell the businesses involved to ban adult full paying customers so Precious doesnt have to queue. Good luck with that.

The world is a dark place and full of horrors. We all need a little whimsy and joy and if petting a rabbit or a goat cheers you up then I see nothing wrong with it

If it's a ticketed thing and it was sold out then your child has to queue regardless, you pay for your space not to have no adults in the queue. It's like people moaning about kids being on aeroplanes 🙄

Or, adults have enough shit in their lives going on, having a bit of fun at a petting zoo is a great way to relax.

So the hypocrisy is you have a dog that you can pet, but you begrudge other adults doing the same. Not everyone can have a pet, OP.

Learn some empathy.

I

😂

Start teaching your children that they can't have everything. You know the whole first come first served scenario. Or the early bird catching the worm. This will turn them into better adults.

Sad and selfish to like animals and to want to hold / pet one? Fuck me. Children do not have the monopoly on this. And as someone has said above, animals are therapeutic. I have worked in care homes where we have been visited by rabbits, guinea pigs, golden retrievers and chickens. The staff enjoyed this as much as the dementia patients

I’m 59 and often meet up with 25 year old DS at the local wildlife park or zoo. We both really like seeing the animals and it’s a nice chance to spend time together doing something we both enjoy.

I’ve also been known to go to the funfair on my own to go on all the rides. Didn’t realise it wasn’t allowed.

Why cant a 4 year old wait? It would have to wait behind the other 4 year olds anyway.

It's not childish to appreciate and learn to connect with animals, at any age. In this country it's really quite difficult to naturally have these encounters for many people, and these artificial environments make it possible for both children and adults.

My main concern with them is the stress potentially caused to the animals by overhandling, and loud chaotic environments, not that Sophie and Chloe might have to wait for a couple of older people to have their turn.