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News & politics

They still don't get it

(195 Posts)
MiceElf Tue 02-Dec-14 18:33:35

Claridges that is. A breastfeeding mother was instructed to cover up by a waiter who appeared with a large table napkin to hide the baby and mother.

Apart from the fact that this violates the terms of the Equalities Act, it's amazing that these attitudes still persist in some ghastly institutions.

rosequartz Mon 08-Dec-14 11:48:40

As I am not a complete ignoramus I did know that grumppa.
I did get the inference. Turning social norms on their head (or backsides).

As I said, farting is perfectly natural too.

Rudeness on GN seems to be becoming the norm, too.

petallus Mon 08-Dec-14 11:56:45

Thanks! Sounds interesting.

Looked on Amazon. Is it Phantom of Liberty, Contemporary Art and the Pedagogical Paradox, Lars Bang Larson?

I suspect not but it's all they've got.

absent Mon 08-Dec-14 17:59:53

Farting and feeding a baby are not comparable natural activities.

rosequartz Mon 08-Dec-14 18:05:34

Although most babies seem to think so.
In one end, out the other.

MiceElf Mon 08-Dec-14 18:33:56

Good point Grumpa. And as it happens, babies feed on milk not farts.

grumppa Mon 08-Dec-14 22:05:17

rosequartz, I was replying to petallus, not you. Not sure what your reference to rudeness referred to.

thatbags Mon 08-Dec-14 22:07:50

Some reasons why breast feeding is not like peeing from mumsnet. They don't pull their punches over there ;)

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 08-Dec-14 22:13:38

this is the Pantom of Liberty thing Weird!

How on earth did you know about that rosequarz?

jinglbellsfrocks Mon 08-Dec-14 22:14:30

It's funny on GN, how posters take offence at a reply not actually meant for them. grin

Ana Mon 08-Dec-14 22:23:15

Yes - several people on a thread can sometimes think a post is aimed at them while the person it was really addressed to remains oblivious! grin

rosequartz Tue 09-Dec-14 10:35:12

Not sure what your reference to rudeness referred to Rude humour!

I don't know, a vague recollection of toilets and dining tables (not that I have been to that particular restaurant!)

A vision of a room of breastfeeding mothers with toilets and potties, and everyone hastily rushing off to another room to eat.

petallus Tue 09-Dec-14 11:33:17

I've just watched Phantom via jingle's link.

Well!

The lavatory scene was hugely unconvincing. Who wriggles their knickers down under their skirt? Where were all the lavvie noises (plops, tinkles etc.)? Nobody seemed to wipe their bums or wash their hands. And what if you didn't want to go? Would you have to pretend to be polite?

If a profound point was being made (rather than an obvious one) I hope someone will explain it to me. I do realise that I watched one scene out of context of course.

Having said that, it has occurred to me that watching others eat can be offputting. For instance, I sometimes go into the Waitrose cafe in the lunchtime when it is packed with the elderly all shoving loads of smelly lunch down their throats. Sometimes you can see them masticating.

I'd prefer a room full of breastfeeders any day!

thatbags Tue 09-Dec-14 17:01:06

Oh dear! Is it non-U to chew one's food now?

thatbags Tue 09-Dec-14 17:02:17

Just as well babes at the breast don't have to chew their food in that case.

Odourless food would be unpleasant, I think. Smell is a large part of taste.

annodomini Tue 09-Dec-14 17:14:56

What a very ageist post, petallus. Would you prefer these elderly people to swallow their food whole and therefore choke? I'm surprised that Waitrose allegedly sells 'smelly' food.

GrannyTwice Tue 09-Dec-14 17:37:02

I'm not too keen on young people on the train eating spivey food with their mouths open or the revolting small of popcorn at the cinema. Why on earth did you use that example Petallus?

granjura Tue 09-Dec-14 17:42:26

Jingle- I do not take offence personally- but I do find it rude, in general, when some posters intentionally give obtuse or obscure, cryptic replies which clearly are meant to upset or mock- and clearly meant to not make it clear whom- and then turn round and say 'but it was not aimed at youhuuu, so there'- childish, and rude- in general. Personally, I don't give a monkey's.

granjura Tue 09-Dec-14 17:43:24

Masticating in public, well I never ... and old people at that!

granjura Tue 09-Dec-14 18:01:24

Ana, so why not 'aim' a reply or post clearly at someone, as asked before- rather than being vague, then saying 'but it was not aimed at youuuu, ahah'. As said, not fair and generally quite rude. Thanks.
As said, for me personally, water over a duck's back.

Ana Tue 09-Dec-14 18:09:05

My post was quite straightforward, granjura, I wasn't talking about vague or cryptic comments, just posts in response to someone else entirely being taken personally by another.

I think it would help if posters named the person they were replying to, as often several other posts have come up in between, IYSWIM...

petallus Tue 09-Dec-14 18:13:15

Phantom explores the idea that eating is disgusting and should be done in private whereas going to be lavatory is a social event.

I took it to be satirical.

So it set me to thinking that actually eating could be seen as (mildly) disgusting under certain circumstances which may vary from person to person.

For me the Waitrose café is one of the least pleasing in my town. It is very busy, dirty crockery is piled on tables and the clientele are largely elderly which creates a certain ambience.

The other day I went in during the lunch hour for a coffee and croissant and there was a strong smell of meat, sprouts and rich gravy. I didn't particularly like it.

As for my ageist comment, yes I knew I wasn't being very PC but there you go. I'm old myself.

I can't possibly be the only one who has eaten opposite or near someone who has sloppy manners or drools or keeps their mouth open or whatever.

thatbags Tue 09-Dec-14 18:17:14

Simple solution, pet — don't eat at your Waitrose cafe. Might be more comfortable for you not to go there at all.

petallus Tue 09-Dec-14 18:22:11

But it's free thatbags. That's probably why most of us go.

petallus Tue 09-Dec-14 18:22:39

Anyway, Waitrose was just one example.

rosequartz Tue 09-Dec-14 18:26:49

Yes, satirical, that was the word I was looking for, getting confused. I have not seen it, only heard of it - it may have been discussed on one of those BBC arty programmes, I can't remember.
Perhaps I won't watch it then.