would this bother you?Or would you 'expect' it on a train?

[MrsC]

This happened a while ago to me, but just wondered what people's opinions were...


My husband, myself and our then 3 year old,we travelling on the Norwich-Liverpool Street service about 4ish in the afternoon,my son was initially very excited,but as the journey wore on he got tired and grouchy,he never cried but got a bit 'moany'-me knowing full well within 10 mins he would be asleep.

I tried to settle him in the seat,took him out of the carriage,he did eventually fall asleep(again he never caused a huge disruption-wasn't screaming the place down) but a man,2 seats back,who had boarded standard class and spent most of the time complaining loudly ''it's not like first class is it!'' then tutted loudly,and said ''well,you can't exactly travel for pleasure,can you?!''

Now,on a fairly long journey would you expect children to be bored/tired/grouchy and therefore showing their dissatisfaction and be bothered enough to make a comment?or would you just accept it?

 

[TDK]

This happened a while ago to me, but just wondered what people's opinions were...


My husband, myself and our then 3 year old,we travelling on the Norwich-Liverpool Street service about 4ish in the afternoon,my son was initially very excited,but as the journey wore on he got tired and grouchy,he never cried but got a bit 'moany'-me knowing full well within 10 mins he would be asleep.

I tried to settle him in the seat,took him out of the carriage,he did eventually fall asleep(again he never caused a huge disruption-wasn't screaming the place down) but a man,2 seats back,who had boarded standard class and spent most of the time complaining loudly ''it's not like first class is it!'' then tutted loudly,and said ''well,you can't exactly travel for pleasure,can you?!''

Now,on a fairly long journey would you expect children to be bored/tired/grouchy and therefore showing their dissatisfaction and be bothered enough to make a comment?or would you just accept it?

No matter what had happened that type of person lives to moan, I would have asked him if he had had a shower that morning as there was a pungent smell of BO coming from the area he was sitting in, that would have shut him up.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Wouldn't bother me.

 

[chris89]

Wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[8J]

Well if the train wasn't too busy, surely he could have got up and moved to another carriage?

 

[GatwickDepress]

I wouldn't be bothered at all. Children will be children!

 

[47802]

It depends on how much the child is and grouchy, moaning etc, it can be bloody annoying, and yes as I don't have kids i'm probably less tolerant of it. I would probably move if there was room elsewhere.

 

[Greenback]

As long as some effort is being made to pacify the child, then it wouldn't bother me. It does irritate me when small children are allowed to run up and down the aisle screaming, or are ignored when distressed while the adults play with their phones.

I don't usually say anything though.

 

[starrymarkb]

I do find loud kids annoying when travelling, but that's what headphones are for. They have the same right to travel as I do, so I'll just put my headphones on and stick some music on. I wouldn't dream of saying anything to the parents!

 

[IanD]

I'm with Greenback on this. If the parents make no attempt whatsoever to control their children then it is extremely annoying. Those who actively encourage their kids to run up and down the carriage are the worst.

I didn't inflict my children's unruly behaviour on others if I could help it but it seems that these days some parents seem to have a bizarre sense of entitlement to allow their kids to do what they want and expect everyone else to lump it and say "Aaah, bless, aren't they cute".

I'm not advocating a return to Victorian "seen and not heard" times, just a little consideration for those around you.

 

[leightonbd]

Irritation is more with the parent/ parenting than the child (as a general observation and not at all intended as a dig at you). Children can't help it ; what you look for is an engaged parent doing their best to 'manage' the child.

I had a time when we were considerably embarrassed by our (then) 3 yr old who wouldn't settle on a long flight; but no one else seemed to mind.

As someone else said, you were just unlucky to have Mr Crochet sitting close by.

 

[Sleepy]

:roll: I would have told him to go and sit in the quiet coach if he kept complaining.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

There is no such thing as a "Quiet" 3yo. Kids are kids full stop. All parents can do is their best to settle or entertain the child and no it does not always work. Like someone else mentioned earlier thats what headphones are for!

 

[DownSouth]

Damn public transport, nobody told me it was open to the public!

 

[SephenWorceste]

Noisy children are annoying but if the parents are trying to keep them quiet what more can you expect. First class increases the probability of a quiet and peaceful journey but is not a guarantee. It is public transport after all. Why did he not move to another carriage. It obviously bothered him so much. You could hardly take your child outside.

I would be less sympathetic in a pub, restaurant (non family), theatre or cinema.

Best wishes,Stephen.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I do find loud kids annoying when travelling, but that's what headphones are for. They have the same right to travel as I do, so I'll just put my headphones on and stick some music on. I wouldn't dream of saying anything to the parents!

This.

There are plenty of things that happen on public transport (or in ANY public place) that might annoy... but as much as I find grouchy children unpleasant to be around, I appreciate that that is MY problem- not the fault of the parents or the child!

The man the OP encountered may have just been having a bad day, but it's more likely that he was just a prat. Unfortunately they can pop up anywhere!

 

[MrsC]

Could I request you all fill 1 carriage of the 13.55 Kings Lynn-Kings Cross on 29th July incase my baby cries,as you all seem lovely

 

[Greenback]

Crying babies are not a problem, it's what they do!

 

[Squaddie]

I think it should be pointed out that we have only one side of the story, and that the OP appears to be seeking justification for her own actions (or lack of action).

Parents are notoriously tolerant of their own child's noise, and thus when even the OP admits that her child was "initially very excited", then "got tired and grouchy" and "a bit 'moany'" I do wonder what level of disruption and irritation she and her child were subjecting their fellow passengers to.

I'd put up with a few moments of noise, and then expect the parent to immediately take the disruptive child into the vestibule until they had quietened down: that, to me, would be the considerate thing for the mother to do.

But then, I'm completely intolerant of other people's children, and believe that no child under 15 should ever be permitted in first class or quiet carriages on trains, business class on aircraft or in any hotel or restaurant. And parents who walk their toddlers up and down the aisles of trains and aircraft should be offloaded at the earliest opportunity.

 

[MrsC]

I think it should be pointed out that we have only one side of the story, and that the OP appears to be seeking justification for her own actions (or lack of action).

Parents are notoriously tolerant of their own child's noise, and thus when even the OP admits that her child was "initially very excited", then "got tired and grouchy" and "a bit 'moany'" I do wonder what level of disruption and irritation she and her child were subjecting their fellow passengers to.

I'd put up with a few moments of noise, and then expect the parent to immediately take the disruptive child into the vestibule until they had quietened down: that, to me, would be the considerate thing for the mother to do.

But then, I'm completely intolerant of other people's children, and believe that no child under 15 should ever be permitted in first class or quiet carriages on trains, business class on aircraft or in any hotel or restaurant. And parents who walk their toddlers up and down the aisles of trains and aircraft should be offloaded at the earliest opportunity.

Wow....OK,I wasn't seeking Justification by any means...I took my son out of the carriage as I stated,and was stood out there until he fell asleep in my arms...I can assure you,I had no previous dealings with said passenger,my son was in no way screaming,he was 'moany' as in saying things like 'i'm bored' in the darling way kids do etc...

 

[34D]

I managed to keep my 4 year old entertained on a train journey from Leeds to cologne last year. Interest in things outside the window, walking through the train to count the coaches, books and so on: it all helps.

 

[Squaddie]

my son was in no way screaming,he was 'moany' as in saying things like 'i'm bored' in the darling way kids do etc...

A bored, whining kid is even worse than a crying baby.

 

[MrsC]

I managed to keep my 4 year old entertained on a train journey from Leeds to cologne last year. Interest in things outside the window, walking through the train to count the coaches, books and so on: it all helps.

Thankfully he is older now and this is a shorter journey,hoping his lunch and a book will amuse him until we reach our destination

 

[DiscoStu]

I never say anything when a child is annoying, I just stick my headphones in and turn the volume up enough to drown them out.

I did have the misfortune to be sat next to a four(ish) year old on a flight from Sydney to London a few years ago .. 22 hours of torture!!. I comtemplated opening the door and leaping to my death at one point!!

Just writing about it now is making my blood boil, even after seven years!!

 

[Hellfire]

I'm not saying it was necessarily the case here, although we only have the OPs version of events, but young children can be a real nuisance on public transport. It's worse on planes because you can't escape screaming babies and toddlers who kick the back of the seat.

I agree the fault lies entirely with the parents. I was on a VT service a month or so ago when two children had been given some sort of music player to pass the time. Unfortunately their parents did not feel headphones were a necessity. It wasn't a quiet carriage but it was very annoying.

There are two many parents who don't take responsibility and seem happy to inflict their precious offspring on everyone else.

 

[Llanigraham]

But then, I'm completely intolerant of other people's children, and believe that no child under 15 should ever be permitted in first class or quiet carriages on trains, business class on aircraft or in any hotel or restaurant. And parents who walk their toddlers up and down the aisles of trains and aircraft should be offloaded at the earliest opportunity.

Of course you were always a perfect child!
Somehow I doubt it.

 

[Seacook]

" would this bother you?Or would you 'expect' it on a train?"

My answer is YES and YES..

My response is in steps:

1. Turn up the volume on my iPod (not too high, though, or any leakage would annoy other passengers)
2. Move to another carriage, if possible.
3. Put up with it as best I can.

 

[SS4]

I'd put up with a few moments of noise, and then expect the parent to immediately take the disruptive child into the vestibule until they had quietened down: that, to me, would be the considerate thing for the mother to do.

But then, I'm completely intolerant of other people's children, and believe that no child under 15 should ever be permitted in first class or quiet carriages on trains, business class on aircraft or in any hotel or restaurant. And parents who walk their toddlers up and down the aisles of trains and aircraft should be offloaded at the earliest opportunity.

I agree for the most part. I love my piece and quiet and children are not conductive to it so I'll take measures to avoid them (travel in term time, quiet coach, first class etc)

Children are often louder than parents think they are and it is the frequency, rather than amplitude, which is the annoyance as no matter how loud you have personal audio the frequency pierces it. That said they're going to be loud and fidgety so I understand and as long as the parent is making some effort I will not shoot a glare in their direction.

Of course you were always a perfect child!
Somehow I doubt it.

I know this isn't aimed at me but since I agree with Squaddie I'll pre-empt it and say that I was unlikely to have been a perfect child but that doesn't make my opinion any less valid and is one of the reasons I don't want kids of my own.

 

[dannypye9999]

For me I cannot cope with the awful squealing of crying children on trains especially when parents just sit there doing nothing and I am trying to work or read. The noise at first isn't too distracting but when it persists and continues with spikes of high pitched wailing that's when I throw my book down with the sudden urge of getting up to silence them myself

 

[Domh245]

As for the OP, I would be fairly tolerant, so long as the parent is making some kind of effort. Occasionally I have found myself intervening (not as some posters would have) for example a crying baby on the tram was soon pacified by shaking my empty chip box with the fork inside as an impromptu rattle. Baby quietened, and the mother kindly tool the box away with her when she left to put it in the bin - win win