Getting 'dirty looks' - I don't get it!

[PrettyCandles]

I'm always hearing (or reading on threads) that people have got 'dirty looks' or unpleasant comments for breastfeeding in public/bottlefeeding in public/using reins on a child/getting the potty out in public and so on and so forth - all the ordinary activities of parenting that sometimes have to be carried out in public. Yet, AFAIAA, I have never been on the receiving end of any of these looks or comments. Am I just oblivious, or do I live in a politer part of the world (London! ha ha ha)? Do 'the public' really care what you do? Considering the number of times I've found lost toddlers among a crowd of oblivious people, I find it difficult to believe that people are really aware of what others are doing.

I suppose that if you're feeling uncomfortable about something you do expect others to react badly too - ds is generally very wel-behaved (almost too much so! ) and when he recently flipped a tantrum in Sainsbury's I felt like apologising to the whole shop. But I didn't - I did an Enid instead and decided they can all go and mind their own bloody business!

I do wonder whether, after I've done my sympathetic or supportive grin at some mum, she then comes and posts on here about the lunatic busybody!

I've done lots of BFIP, including toddlers. I don't ever recall any dirty looks, but I do recall lots of compliments.

The only time I can remember dirty looks (or were they looks of sympathy?) was in supermarkets when one of my boys threw a tantrum. Fortunately it didn't happen much and I have pretty much erased all memories. My girls are always fine out (to anyone out of earshot of their whinging and begging).

The only time I ever give dirty looks is when someone is effing at their child, or beating them.