Would You Intrude on This Couple

[Michelle and crew]

YES, that was intrusion....

I don't think you should have to be in your own home to have a little respect and your 'three feet of personal space'...

These people with the kids were clearly self-absorbed and/or clueless if they had a nice sized public park, and decided that they had to be 3 feet from this couple.

Yes, IMHO, very RUDE....

But then, hey, there are a lot of 'those parents/grandparents' who feel that no matter what, they own the whole darned place, and let their children run amok, and annoy other people.

Doesn't matter if it is a park, or a restaurant, or where....
Respect and common courtesy should apply.

You mean like the op who feels that because they settled there first no one else has a right to be there?

 

[RitaE]

This thread kind of reminds me of adults who decide to vacation at Disney World and then get irritated that the restaurants and swimming pools are packed with kids.

You know, you can be of whatever opinion you want about children or all sorts of things. That doesn't mean the rest of the world will rearrange themselves to suit you. Especially not in such a public and child-friendly area as a Public Park.

 

[Acklander]

I'm of the old school opinion of "children should be seen and not heard". Yup...grumpy old lady here.

I'd be mighty tempted to start making out with DH in the scenario the OP describes. Bet the other family would move along then.

I hate the "Children should be seen and not heard" line. They're people too.

 

[nmmom95]

I hate the "Children should be seen and not heard" line. They're people too.

ITA.

If the children came into your back yard while you were having lunch, it's an intrusion. Unless you own the park, they have just as much right to be there as you do.

 

[SaraJayne]

It's a PUBLIC park. If you wanted privacy, you should have either gotten a room or stayed home.

I agree with the poster that said you sound like a grumpy old lady.

 

[npmommie]

I hate the "Children should be seen and not heard" line. They're people too.

exactly

 

[Heidict]

OK, let me get all this straight:

According to the DIS kids aren't allowed to run around making noise at Walmart or restaurants. (which I agree with)

They can't play around in their neighborhood because someone might come by and kidnap them.

And now they aren't allowed to run around and make noise at a public park if there are other people there eating.

Yet, the kids get criticized for staying home and watching tv or playing video games and not getting enough exercise.

Wow, I feel sorry for kids today. They can't win.

I agree. Poor kids these days, they can't go anywhere without someone complaining about them. Of course, if they stay cooped up in their homes, like I'm sure some people would like, then they complain about kids not getting out and getting active and how in their day their mother would kick them outside till dinner time.

It was a public park, therefore the public is allowed in and that includes children. I'm sure having them close to you while you tried to enjoy the view and your lunch was annoying, but if it was really that annoying then you could would have packed up the lunch and moved to another area. Seeing as how the park was all but deserted I'm sure you would have been able to find another table that was not around people or children.

I hate the "children should be seen and not heard" line.

 

[FireDancer]

I hate the "Children should be seen and not heard" line. They're people too.

That viewpoint is about as outdated as women belonging barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen or "the blacks" needing their own restrooms and drinking fountains. I'm personally glad that the most of the world has smartened up and moved on.

If I am at a public park I expect there will be people, even young ones, there. Maybe they'll even be running around. I'd just be happy the kids were out actually playing instead of sitting on their butts playing video games.

 

[npmommie]

That viewpoint is about as outdated as women belong barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen or "the blacks" need their own restrooms and drinking fountains. I'm personally glad that the world has moved on.

If I am at a public park I expect there will be people, even young ones, there, maybe even running around. I'd just be happy the kids were out actually playing instead of sitting on their butts playing video games.

or "No Irish Need Apply"

 

[S. C.]

Unless there was something very specific about that section, I would have given them a little room.

sounds like there was plenty of room to roam and I would have kept some distance so as not to interrupt their lunch.

And although technically it can't be called "intrusion" because it's a public park, I would have felt like I was intruding - considering the rest of the park was basically empty..

I actually find it odd - that of all the places available, these people chose the one spot where someone else was having a picnic..

I would have given them some space considering there was plenty of other places to go.

it is a public park, but at the same time it was quiet. No reason to interrupt their lunch and no reason not to give a little space.

I agree!

 

[Cooky]

.

 

[S. C.]

To OP,

I'm flaggergasted at the number of people who have come to the conclusion you are the problem and that you hate children.

I think those responses are indicative of the people you described in your original post. It doesn't matter if you were there first. It doesn't matter if there are yards or acres of other places for them to sit at. They want the space you are in to do what they want, they do not care about you.

These are the same people as the ones you encountered in the park. They only care about themselves, they have no empathy, compassion or consideration of other people. If they did they wouldn't be so unkind to you.

The OP wanted some quiet time in a pretty place, albeit a public place. I don't see how it being a public place excuses people from being considerate of others. People go to parks for lots of reasons, and I don't see how children running around trumps any other reason people go to parks.

OP you are entitled to feel annoyed and not be accused of hating children. Please read the responses you are getting as a way of understanding the behavior of the family in the park. Know there is nothing wrong with how you felt about it. It is perfectly valid. People can come up with a thousand reasons why the family did what it did, but the effect is the same, it was inconsiderate.

Well said!

 

[Deb in IA]

There's always their own yards.

For the picnickers too.

I'm of the old school opinion of "children should be seen and not heard".

I hate the "Children should be seen and not heard" line. They're people too.

Totally.

I think many people would learn a lot by listening to children.

Whether or not one likes kids, 1-2 feet is pretty close. I'd never stand that close to a stranger (kid OR adult) unless we were in line, or on a WDW bus.

OP said they were "young children". And a young child is pretty used to being close, even very close to others, since their parents are often feeding them, getting them dressed, holding them, picking them up, etc.

 

[ccgirl]

OP - can I ask how close these children were. Did they just run by your table and go to the water? Or, were they running around and around your specific table? I think there is a big difference there.

 

[MushyMushy]

To OP,

I'm flaggergasted at the number of people who have come to the conclusion you are the problem and that you hate children.

I think those responses are indicative of the people you described in your original post. It doesn't matter if you were there first. It doesn't matter if there are yards or acres of other places for them to sit at. They want the space you are in to do what they want, they do not care about you.

These are the same people as the ones you encountered in the park. They only care about themselves, they have no empathy, compassion or consideration of other people. If they did they wouldn't be so unkind to you.

The OP wanted some quiet time in a pretty place, albeit a public place. I don't see how it being a public place excuses people from being considerate of others. People go to parks for lots of reasons, and I don't see how children running around trumps any other reason people go to parks.

OP you are entitled to feel annoyed and not be accused of hating children. Please read the responses you are getting as a way of understanding the behavior of the family in the park. Know there is nothing wrong with how you felt about it. It is perfectly valid. People can come up with a thousand reasons why the family did what it did, but the effect is the same, it was inconsiderate.

I completely agree! I have never gotten the impression from the OP that she's a grumpy old woman and people who are calling her that are just rude.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with someone for seeking a little solitude in a public place when there's no crowd and expecting that people can keep a little respectful distance. People just don't know boundaries anymore.

 

[Michelle and crew]

Alright!! next time I go to WDW I want all of you to stay out of the land I am in. I plan on getting there first, so it shouldn't be a problem!

 

[NHdisneylover]

After reading three pages I am still clueless. Yes, other people have different tolerances, and I'd certainly never sit in front of someone at the movies or take a parking space someone else was waiting for. I naturally assume the best of everyone. I've taught my children to be polite. We'd likely have figured you were friendly b/c you were lunching in the park instead of a table at a restraurant. Unless my child/pet/self was actually within a few feet of you or doing something to obviously annoy you besides running to a lake/playing in the grass/taking a picture, I'd certainly never guess that our presence in a public outdoor area could possibly bother you that much.
If the couple had looked especially intimate, or been making out, then I'd have headed the other way once I noticed them but really, it's a public park. You don't own it and there's no way the mom could have known you'd be offended or wanted privacy in advance. To assume she did, and was rude, borders on more than a just little self-centered to me.

To resent her presence in "your area" from the moment you heard them begin down the trail is what seems rude to me. Because you didn't want to be bothered with children at that moment you probably noticed them much sooner than they noticed you. I'm sorry your moment was interrupted but frankly, in a public park it could have been a school bus full of kids on a field trip instead of just one small family unit.

This could be a family with children used to going to that spot. It could also be someone who's never been there before and unaware of other options. More likely though, mom & grandmom probably never even noticed you prior to getting there and once there, if it occurred to them then, it sounds as though they'd have had to climb back up the hill to leave and walk further on to choose another place. Maybe there's even a disability that isn't visible to make them not want to go much further.

FTR - I apologize for my children, pets, self - & pretty much anything else you can think of - constantly. My saying "sorry" to someone we pass doesn't mean I know I've intruded or offended them. It's a courtesy - my way of being polite, if you will. In reality it's almost as perfunctory as me saying "hello", "how're you?", or instead of/in addition to "excuse me" in an aisle of the grocery store. Maybe, like me, she was brought up with lots of Catholic guilt and apologizes to everyone for everything, even though there's no visible reason to.

I agree with this post.

It is a PARK. Parks are where kids do get to run and be noisy. Most of the time I agree with posters complaining about out of control or loud kids, but this one just blows my mind.

There's always their own yards.

I'm of the old school opinion of "children should be seen and not heard". Yup...grumpy old lady here.

I'd be mighty tempted to start making out with DH in the scenario the OP describes. Bet the other family would move along then.

And I would then be tempted to tell you how that tonsil hockey at the park in front of kids is inappropriate PDA--whereas playing (running about) at a park is NOT inappropriate behaviour. There is a time and a place for just about everything--the place for kids to run around and play is a park.

 

[Skywalker]

I don't think the family out of line at all. It didn't sound like they did anything to be bothersome other than daring to co-exist with you in the park at the same time! Horrors.

Of course sometimes it is polite to give people space (ie sitting in front of someone in an empty theatre and blocking their view is just stupid).

However, it sounds like a pleasant family outing - no fighting, no screaming, no coming over and eating your lunch - just a family enjoying the park. If that bothers you, you should stay home.

 

[Dancemom03]

Alright!! next time I go to WDW I want all of you to stay out of the land I am in. I plan on getting there first, so it shouldn't be a problem!

I think not... you'll have to beat me there! You'll be able to recognize us though b/c, as soon as I see you coming, I intend to start making out with DH so you'll go the other way!

In the unlikely event that you beat my rude bahookey to it though, please understand that my mumbled "sorry" as I smile sweetly and plant myself behind you in "our" line will be more sincere if I see you prominently wearing your lime green mickey head id tags...

 

[Michelle and crew]

I think not... you'll have to beat me there! You'll be able to recognize us though b/c, as soon as I see you coming, I intend to start making out with DH so you'll go the other way!

In the unlikely event that you beat my rude bahookey to it though, please understand that my mumbled "sorry" as I smile sweetly and plant myself behind you in "our" line will be more sincere if I see you prominently wearing your lime green mickey head id tags...