What is the best way to have a dig at a private school parent?

[UrbanDad]

"No am I being unreasonable?" here. I am totally reasonable to have a go at an otherwise liberal mate who eschews a perfectly good state secondary school to send his DD to a private school miles away. He makes all kinds of rubbish excuses about how his DD needs nurturing, the local secondary is composed entirely of the Bash Street Kids and it doesn't have enough sporting or cultural activities. It's all a load of Horlicks and he knows it - it's just about allowing his DD (and him TBH) to mix with the "right kind of people". I cannot afford private school and even if I could or my DKs could get a scholarship I wouldn't send them there - I just think social apartheid for children is wrong and it's poison for social mobility.

He says "everyone wants the best for their kids". I agree, but my point is this - even for purely selfish reasons - I also want the best for everyone's kids (after a couple of generations I suspect I will be blood-related to quite a few of them as well) rather than to purchase a privileged status for my own. That will be poison chalice for my DKs as well - what? After all I spent on you, you can't even get a decent job? - and it inculcates them with a terrible ethos of "every man for himself" and "beggar my neighbour".

Does anyone have any other suggestions how I can humiliate, lampoon and pour scorn upon him for being a sell-out, please?

Your mate is Diane Abbott and I claim my £5.

"Ribbing" and "humiliate" aren't synonyms. Not surprising most posters assume you meant what you said in OP. And that was nasty.

He doesn't have to justify himself to you and you don't have to justify yourself to him.

He's entitled to make his own choices for his own kids, whether you agree with them or not

Maybe he isn't worried about his kids mixing with yours. Maybe he is worried about spending the next 6 years on a touchline next to you?

That's prob £15k a year well spent actually

Why do you think the op is a troll for disagreeing with private schools. Many people do.

Sheldonswhiteboard - I couldn't agree more. There should be much more allocation of places by lottery so you cannot "buy" a place in a particular school by acquiring an expensive house.

Funny how defensive people get about their choice though - does anyone who points out that every man for himself and devil take the hindmost is not a very sound basis for a functional society have a chip on their shoulder, then?

Wow you are a sensitive soul aren"t you. He's not saying he doesn't want his kids to mix with yours, he's saying he wants them to have a private education. Ever thought that might be because they tend to have smaller classes, stricter discipline and more sporting and extra curricular opportunities.
This doesn't sound like matey banter to me, it sounds like a fundamental disagreement that threatens the ver roots of your friendship.

Sheesh, bet your friend is pleased to have you as a mate

Oh FFS most people on this thread have not said if their kids go to private schools or not so how are you so sure they are defending their choices?

The op s just plain nasty.

How pathetic have you made yourself sound....not to mention jelous.

'Ribbing your mate'

Are you 6

I've told friends that were considering sending their children to private school that I think it is wrong. You should be able to discuss things with friends

I've got three kids in state schools and I think the OP's friend sounds perfectly pleasant and the OP sounds like an thug.

Only if they asked your opinion itsbetterthanabox. Otherwise it has nothing to do with you.

I just wouldn't worry about. Not going to private school doesn't mean your child is fucked. I went state all the way (not great ones) was offered Oxford but turned it down and very glad I did. My son will go state. Just feel smug that you're saving ££££.

pag!

Ahem. Not sure we really do scorn pouring.
Just a link to our guidelines and a reminder that if there's one thing we could ALL (no matter what school our kids go to) do with, it's some moral support.

No comment about the children of liberal parents who are unhappy that their parents put principles above their children?

Agree with Pagwatch and a sanctimonious one at that.

Good evening Olivia.

You are very swift this evening

You know what?

You want smaller classes sizes? Have homework clubs and participate as a parent, hire a tutor or even go into school and help out as a volunteer.
You want more music lessons? Borrow a county instrument and use your money on a private music teacher.
You want better sports facilities? Take your child to a youth branch of a sports club which is open everyone.
You want better behaviour? It starts (and ends) at home.
You want the school to improve? Join the governors, PTA or volunteer to support the school some another way.
You want more culture? Take your children to a museum or spend your money taking them to the theatre or holiday theatre workshops with their friends.

But don't send them to a private school - just say "no".

You feel free to do that OP.

Let your friend do what he thinks is best for his family.

Blahblahblahblahblahblah

Gosh, this brings back memories.
Unhappy ones, of local kids bullying me because of the school I went to. Primary school kids, who probably got this from their parents cos how else would they know I went to "a snobby school"? As far as I was concerned it was just the school I went to. My DM told me just to sY that I went to the school my parents chose for me and say nothing else.
OP, I sincerely hope your DC do not also share you stated aim of wanting to "humiliate" your friend, and by extension his children. It will not make them better people.