Can we come to some sort of agreement?

Less · 04-09-2008, 15:29

I did my usual thing, I went for a drink, I was with friends, however yet again the afternoon was disrupted because rather than talk to each other and their child, the parents of what I must admit was a very cute little girl, spent their time either texting or playing games on their mobiles.

This led to the child screaming at the top of her voice because she wanted to be noticed.

What did the parents do? They let her out of her pushchair to go annoy someone else!

What did the child do? It made a bee line for our table because she could see we where talking and she needed entertaining.
We are a group of blokes together, not babysitters, not perverts or other strange men that would welcome such a creature into our midst, we like to moan alot and get through the afternoon.

Our second reaction, (our first was an instantaneous groan), was to tell the child, 'mummy' is calling you, hoping that she will leave us in peace, what a shame, the child has enough intelligence to know that Mum & Dad are busy and she isn't going to get any response there.

So rather than upset and frighten the child we are stuck, we put up with the child or we upset the parent's, (how dare you frighten my child?).

Here comes the agreement, if you bring your child out, YOU look after it, if you do, you, and your child and we, the people that have nothing to do with it, can all enjoy ourselves, otherwise I and my friends just might lose tolerance with you, (not the child), if you can manage that we can be very friendly people.

AccyLass · 04-09-2008, 15:32

How ridiculous, to let your child wander off and stand with/annoy complete strangers!!

A pub is the perfect place for a child

Lilly · 04-09-2008, 15:33

Get to the Calder, Less.....they don't allow kids in there.

It's parents like these that give the rest if us a bad name.

AccyLass · 04-09-2008, 15:38

I'll come to an agreement with you Less

I guarantee that you will never see my children in a pub unil they are old enough to take themselves in, then if they annoy ya, just give em a clout

Less · 04-09-2008, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by AccyLass27

I'll come to an agreement with you Less

I guarantee that you will never see my children in a pub unil they are old enough to take themselves in, then if they annoy ya, just give em a clout

Please don't get me wrong, parents need relaxation they come to child friendly pubs, the one I go to is supposed to be that, but, children are the parents responsibility, I just can't understand them being allowed, (by the parents), to go wandering.

I always took my children to the pub when I could, they would however have us, their parents by their side to entertain and amuse them, these other people, just can't be bothered with each other never mind the child.

WillowTheWhisp · 04-09-2008, 16:05

I wonder how much notice the parents would take if the child went and chatted to someone who found it so appealing they took the child home with them?

cashman · 04-09-2008, 16:13

this may sound harsh to some, but some people are NOT fit to be parents.

Less · 04-09-2008, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

this may sound harsh to some, but some people are NOT fit to be parents.

Careful Cashy, I posted this in 'anything goes' as playful banter, oh dear me life, huh who'd believe it.
Preserve on toast will soon be posting telling me off for putting it here instead of general chat.
It was only light hearted banter, we all get stuck with awkward people that ruin it for everyone else, the thread, (I hope), still has a chance for it's funny side.

Gayle · 04-09-2008, 18:49

You know, I've thought about this for a while and I think you should know something, Less. We parents have to put up with the moaning, whinging, crying and annoyances of our little darlings all the time, surely when we go out, other people should have the pleasure for a few minutes.

Would you really begrudge a hard working mum, five brief minutes of talking to their friends on the phone, whilst someone else takes care of their offspring. I mean, for all you know those people might have been doing something really important like speaking with their accounts or bank managers.

cherokee · 04-09-2008, 19:37

I think if parents want to o to the pub fine and if they want to take their kids along ,, fine but make sure they bloomin look after them.
I hate it when a chile becomes an inconvenience to parents. Our local on the other hand has a land lady like a rotwieler (sp) whose not afraid to sling parents out who wont look after thier kids..

West Ender · 04-09-2008, 22:04

Pubs must have changed a helluva lot since my children were - er - children. There weren't any pubs that children could go in unless they were dining. Come to think of it, there aren't any in this area now that allow children inside apart from the restaurant areas and at least one won't even allow children in the beer garden (but it thinks it's a very "select" establishment, catering for young middle class professionals, consequently, it's not doing very well).

I socialised my own brood from a very early age and my grandchildren have had the same "training". They never roamed around annoying other people - and neither do I! I'm well brought up, too.

Mancie · 05-09-2008, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Less

I did my usual thing, I went for a drink, I was with friends, however yet again the afternoon was disrupted because rather than talk to each other and their child, the parents of what I must admit was a very cute little girl, spent their time either texting or playing games on their mobiles.

This led to the child screaming at the top of her voice because she wanted to be noticed.

What did the parents do? They let her out of her pushchair to go annoy someone else!

What did the child do? It made a bee line for our table because she could see we where talking and she needed entertaining.
We are a group of blokes together, not babysitters, not perverts or other strange men that would welcome such a creature into our midst, we like to moan alot and get through the afternoon.

Our second reaction, (our first was an instantaneous groan), was to tell the child, 'mummy' is calling you, hoping that she will leave us in peace, what a shame, the child has enough intelligence to know that Mum & Dad are busy and she isn't going to get any response there.

So rather than upset and frighten the child we are stuck, we put up with the child or we upset the parent's, (how dare you frighten my child?).

Here comes the agreement, if you bring your child out, YOU look after it, if you do, you, and your child and we, the people that have nothing to do with it, can all enjoy ourselves, otherwise I and my friends just might lose tolerance with you, (not the child), if you can manage that we can be very friendly people.

causing trouble again aint yah.. bleedin causing trouble geezer..? you wanna watch yer step guv!

polly · 05-09-2008, 21:03

Do a teaching degree and learn The Look. This deters anyone under the age of 18 from coming within 5 yards.

In brief The Look may be classified as a glare/stare that says keep away you little brat, Ive been near your type all day and just DONT dare come near.

It is very useful in social situations such as you describe and even works on some young parent who have painful memories of their school days.

accyman · 05-09-2008, 21:57

i suppose the kids should feel lucky they wernt left at home playing on the playstation 2 while mum and dad went to the pub

in some cases the ps2 plays such an important part of a childs upbrining im suprised ps2 isnt on their birth certificate as father

nowt worse than kids in a pub especialy as most people who take their kids along for a afternoon pi$$up probably have little control over their kids in the home so are bound to show even less capability in a pub after a few beers