to think it is frankly weird when complete strangers ask you if your baby is a "good" baby???

[peachsmuggler]

Someone asked me this yesterday on a train. I obviously know what she was getting at, but really, what do they expect you to say to that!!!

deeply moved by visiting a truly "child-friendly" country and deeply saddened by the stark contrast with the UK

All depends on how you look at it doesn't it.

When DD was a baby at least one a day someone would say to me:

'Ooooo isn't she alert'

And

'Oooo she's been here before hasn't she?'

Whatever that means???
It used to totally confuse me. And what is the appropriate response to that? I used to just agree with them and smile.

Mutt - I grew up in London and still live here and think it is very friendly - all our neighbours know each other and have lived in lots of areas where that is the case - Walthamstow, Battersea, Bayswater, Hackney. Also very chatty with local shops etc and get lots of chat on the tube even now I have children to break the ice. I think cities are places where people tend to be wary and put themselves in a 'bubble' just to cope with the crowds but individuals are just as friendly as anywhere else. The least friendly places were a B&B in Wales in the 70's and a pub in Ullapool which was like the one from American Werewolf in London. Silent treatment while the barman walked away from me and my (Scottish) boyfriend. Charming.

i think people just mean...'how are you finding the sleep deprivation?'...'are you ok'
But i had pnd ..so i heard all the same things that Theprovinciallady heard.It was me though..not them