People have spoke in defence of a woman visiting Chester Zoo who was left upset after claiming a mum almost barged her out of the way in a bid to see the animals.
The woman said she was at the jaguar enclosure looking at the animals when a group crowded around her, and one pushy mum asked her to get out of the way.
She said: “I was really looking forward to seeing the jaguars, and fabulously enough, one sat right near where I was walking, so I stopped just in front of the enclosure to admire it.
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“I was probably there for about five seconds when everyone started to crowd round, and suddenly this woman came out of the blue and said directly to me ‘Excuse me, coming through – I’ve got kids!’ heavily implying (for) me to move out of the way.
“I was shocked and so just moved straight away, but actually on hindsight I’m quite upset.”
The woman, who doesn’t have children, felt that the mother and her children shouldn’t have moved childless couples along, and took to Mumsnet’s (AIBU) Am I Being Unreasonable? thread to see what other members of the group thought – reports Cheshire Live.
She said: “I don’t have kids, but I have as much right to stand at the front as anyone else, surely?
“I paid for my ticket and I was only there for a few seconds. If people wait their turn, there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to get a good view.
“Am I being unreasonable to feel annoyed at this, and to have the right to stand at the b****y front for a few seconds if I want to?”
A number of ECHO readers have since spoken out in defence of the woman and shared how they would have handled the situation.
On the Liverpool ECHO Facebook page, Paula McGuirk said: “I wouldn’t have moved, I would have said I’m old, might die before I get another opportunity!!
Georgina Docherty said: “Would have told her to get lost.”
Thomas Gilfoyle commented: “I remember someone pushed in front of me at the shops some little old lady just stood in front of me in the que like I wasn’t there … I didn’t say nothing I just smiled and thought go ed I can’t wait to do that when am older.”
Jaine Kelly posted: “No way would I ask somebody to move out the way for me and my child but I think asking if my child can stand in front of them to see is acceptable. I’m sure any decent human being wouldn’t have a problem with that, childless or not!”
Angela Cockroft said: “Whether she had kids with her or not I would of told her to do one she has paid like everyone else some ppl are vile wish it would of been me she said it to she wouldn’t say it again.”
Caroline Knott posted: “We went last week. Same happened to me and my daughter. Woman pushed past dragging a man with her to get in front of us to see the hornbills. She then asked the guide a question and talked over the top of her whilst she tried to answer. The guide was amazing and talked about the birds to all of us there. Some people have no manners, patience or respect. Shame it wasn’t feeding time! Sure they would have loved a Mrs ‘entitled’ pink dress meal.”
Pam Evans said: “Am afraid just the usual ill mannered behaviour is encountered by most of us at times. A lot of us in such circumstances do not want to cause ‘a scene”, so to speak, & let the whole thing go, which is also wrong, as WE are trying to children manners & good behaviour. Really disgusting that such ignorant individuals try to spoil things like a visit to the zoo for others.”
Paige Ann commented: “So as a mum with my kids I’d tell my kids to wait their turn & be patient, I deffo wouldn’t expect them to be given a place at the front. However, ad an adult alone I personally would take a step back and let the kids waiting behind me see the animal. I mean kids are half my size so I’m pretty sure I could still see. It’s just about being considerate from either position.”
Vicki Matthews commented: “Same place a few weeks ago , on my disability scooter, someone actually stood on it and jumped over.” me to get to the front !”
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Kelly Johnson- Meredith said: “I would have explained to the lady how it’s wonderful to teach all people to take turns and be kind as no one knows anyone else’s situation – you don’t know theirs they don’t know yours – that way you get your point across and get to see the animals and also then make space so they can come on quickly after you, I’ve always tried to make space for smaller or taller people as my husband is 6”5 and we have children so sometimes take some space up however will always be thoughtful for others. We teach our children to do the same too, but we also teach them to stand up for themselves and not be bullied by people pushing them out. If you have waited your turn or been courteous other people should be too.”
Neil Morgan said: “I’d have let the children in but not the mother.”
Victoria Easton posted: “I would have said, so what you have kids. She isn’t teaching her kids good manners if she thinks she is entitled to push in because of them. She should have asked if her kids could squeeze in to get a better view.”
Diane Quick commented: “I would not move you got rights to see the animals as much as her so she can wait her turn like every one else have.”
Karen Allison Loughran said: “I wouldn’t have moved. I’m a member at Chester Zoo and the Black Jag is my fave. Can’t get enough of her. So if she’s in view when I go I gaze lovingly for as long as I want.”
Clare Couzens said: “I think, manners cost nothing and in this case, I would be more annoyed about how I was spoken to, rather than being to move over a bit.”
Kirsten Weir commented: “She could have asked but also she could have waited until a space opened up. that’s all we did when we went in June. Just waited for our turn and slowly walked along when others in front moved.”
Charlotte Louise Murphy posted: “A little over sensitive as an adult you can see over kids, kids can’t see over you so just move a little to the side to let the kids in front of you.”
Valerie Baker posted: “Similar happened to me on safari in Kenya, I ignored it.”
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Commenting on the original post, one forum member said: “I live half an hour away and spend a fair bit of time there with my three-year-old. Sounds about the usual behaviour from a lot of the patrons”.
Others also sympathised and said: “Some people act like their kids are royalty and everyone else should submit to their desires.
“Everyone is entitled to stand near the front for a while, to enjoy a close of view of the animals, it’s a question of everyone having patience and parents teaching kids that sometimes they need to wait.
“You can’t win with this type of parent though, if you challenged her you’d get called a child hater.”
But some thought the mother was right as one person said: “Are you only three foot four tall? If you are, then she is being unreasonable. If not, then step back 24 inches and let the children in front to see.”
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