Outrageous ageism at the toddler singalong!!

My reaction would probably have been the same as Elena's - I don't think that I would have said anything at the time. Like her, I can see the intended humour as well as its inappropriateness, so I would have wanted to give myself time to think about it first to make sure that I wasn't about to go over the top. Having done that, I'm sure that I would have arrived at the conclusion that something needed to be said

I personally would make a point of going to the group again as soon as possible. I would say straight away to the person in question that I hoped he wasn't going to repeat that verse again, as it really wasn't very appropriate. It could be said in a light-hearted manner, but in such a way that the message is received loud and clear.

I really don't like confrontation, particularly in such a public setting, so that would be my preferred way of dealing with that incident. If it happened again after that though, my response would be very different!

I see this is billed on the GN homepage as "outrageous, but harmless, ageism".

No ageism (or racism, sexism, etc) is harmless.

It is so not harmless!

Really?

How do we report them?

I don't think it is harmless, either, though I do believe it was sung without real malice - it was thoughtless rather than harmless. It is certainly outrageous, and I have been telling everyone in real life about it, and watching their jaws drop! Happily, people who know me know I am not prone to making up stupid stories, and I am believed

I live 300 mls away from dd, sil and dgs, so we don't see them often - returning to the bookshop for the singalong session (it's a regular fixture) may well be on the cards in a couple of months, but I'm not in a position to be certain of doing that. DD may want me to take him swimming or something, or if it's a nice day, go somewhere outdoors.

If I do go back, I will report on what happens....and if the verse is sung again, I def will say something.

As you say it wasn't the regular person, maybe he felt ill at ease doing it, hence his remarks to the adults and that stupid verse.
Not an excuse, just a possible reason.
Have you mentioned it to your DD?

If you didn't speak up at the time you can always phone the book shop right now elena. Please don't leave it for another time.

I find supposed humour which is a put down against anyone (ageism, racism, sexism) offensive. If and when you speak to this person, don't let him tell you it was just a joke.

I cannot see any harm in giving them a ring and saying what you think. It may be that others have also done so.

Of course I mentioned it to my DD - the whole family know about it

No, I am not going to ring up (and 'right now' the shop is shut, Faye!).

The moment has passed. I think what he did was outrageous, but I am not outraged, or not sufficiently, to make a phone call 4 days later about it.

So shoot me

I really don't know why you bothered to start this thread.

I was just thinking the same, GT

I think you should stop picking on elena. I would have started a thread if it had happened to me. How elena reacted at the time is quite beside the point.

Talk about hassling anybody!

I'm not picking on anyone, jingl but the OP is under AIBU which is odd because elena contradicts herself. At first she says she laughed and wasn't offended but then goes on to say she was taken aback and thought it was tactless.

I'm easily

Sorry if you feel hassled elena. Why on earth did you start a thread about a subject if you don't want to hear suggestions and other posters opinions? Just let it go then, don't worry about it!

I am still curious about the accompanying actions.

She just wanted to share it!

absent hold noses I would think.

That's what I thought too...

Or wafting actions.

AIBU to think, yet again, that some posters don't understand what posting on AIBU actually means? <sigh>

People post under the wrong headings all the time. Not everyone's been doing this for years.

I'm sure Mumsnet must be a serious learning curve!

I often think that some older Mumsnet posters, frustrated by their inability to impress their views on there, come over here because it's easier...(small fish, big pond syndrome).

Interesting theory Ana hummmmm

How very Rude!
Maybe you don't look old enough to be a granny, Elena, no excuses for such inappropriate stupidity though. I always find it hard enough trying to fit into these type of groups where it's mostly young Mums without being singled out and ridiculed. However like you I probably would have laughed too but more fromembarrassment than anything else.