If trains weren’t already unbelievably expensive then yes, but given how mad the prices are I will cling onto the roof of the train for a slight discount.
I'd like it, but it shouldn't be at a premium. Also, there seems to a growing attitude that kids' default setting is screamy and shouty. Not so, having worked with kids for 32 years, some are quiet, or talkative, and some are screamy. However, barring some underlying special need, all can taught that there's a time and a place to be quiet, and if a.parent says 'shush' , then that's end of story, not a negotiation.
That attitude is because the ones you notice are screamy and shouty, otherwise you don’t notice them. Especially on a long haul flight, becasue you are asleep.
Observation bias.
No, it's not an 'attitude', it's decades of experience with a vast range of ages and needs, not to mention an understanding of children's background and parenting, rather than just a snapshot observation.
“There seems to be a growing attitude”
I am quoting you directly here, and offering an explanation for why that attitude (ie that kids’ default setting is screamy and shouty) prevails. We’re on the same team. Of course they can be taught otherwise.
Good luck telling my 19 month old that 'shh' means be quiet for a long train journey.
I'm always worried I'm disturbing others so I tend to do a mixture of walking up and down the carriage with him, snacks, and Mr Tumble. 10 mins each on repeat. Done two flights and three train journeys with this and it's been ok tbf.
If I sit and tell him shh, he'll have no idea what's going on
Nah, that's a fair point. I was thinking more of the 3 year olds and upwards who are just left to do what they they want. Unlike yourself- good parenting.
Largely I agree, but in some situations their lack on control gets the better of them. Our two girls are generally incredibly well behaved. Sit quietly and talk to us if we're out eating, no need for any of the tablet at the table nonsense etc. But we had a flight delayed last year so they ended up exhausted before boarding. They went to sleep quickly, but halfway through the flight they both woke up and we couldn't stop them screaming and crying, and they didn't even know why they were doing it. Felt terrible for everyone else on the flight because it was about 4am at this point.
I travel a lot and I have never even once had an issue with a child on a train or plane.
Sometimes I wonder whether people having these issues are specifically traveling in windows like half term or something because I mean, in my experience, sometimes there is a child on my plane and they are usually just behaving normally and getting on with it.
It's not like a plane is a quiet environment anyway, without noise cancelling headphones I'd go mad from the engine sound.
No, because then I’d be in a coach full of people who think they’re above sharing a space with children, and those types of people are almost always insufferable.
Its nothing to do with being “above” sharing a space - its merely a preference. You’re basically “above” the adults that don’t want to share a space with kids, because you’re willing to share a space with kids. Thats what this sounds like.
I'm specifically trying to teach my oldest child resilience right now, and it does strike me as amusing that just as I'm trying to impart upon her (at the age of 11) the importance of weathering difficult moments in life with grace, there's a certain group of full grown adults who demand not to be faced with inconvenience.
Inconvenience?
Migraines, misophonia, general noise sensitivity - plenty of reasons to not want to be around a screaming kid who won't shut up.
I love parents who try to keep their kids under control, but those who do nothing to quiet the screaming are awful. Noise cancelling tech can only do so much.
To be clear, I can handle "regular" kid noise, chatter etc. But the minute they start that high pitched shrieking/screaming, my eardrums start throbbing and it is physically painful to be in the same vicinity as the shrieker. Noise cancelling can handle some of it, but not all. I have walked out of stores, entire malls etc, bc of screaming kids and "parents" who won't shut them up.
I know that kids have the right to exist, and they need to learn how to be in public, but we need to normalise kids being removed from a store etc if they're acting up. Adults shouldn't have to deal with badly behaved mini humans throwing a fit because the parents are too scared to take them outside until they calm the fuck down.
Tbh that's what a low IQ person would say after watching Idiocracy and reading some discussion around benefits for poor people. But unlike them, I am not mean and I do not judge low IQ people, if anything I feel sorry for them. And also feel happy for them. I wish I was low IQ.
Exactly, I would've been much happier. It destroys me knowing that getting a case of Budweiser for £9.99 from Lidl this week could've made me so damn happy... But it won't... Will only make me a little happy...
This comment nails it. I've chosen not to have kids and even I can't stand a lot of other child free people as they come across as entitled homier than tho pricks so often.
These people would rather pay a "premium" (a couple of hundred extra?) for the same seat - kids, than for some decent sound cancellation headphones. I've been on plenty of flights, and crying babies/energetic kids is the least of my worries. Insufferable adults is at the top
Cancelling headphones dont stop them (just like their parents!) kicking the back of my seat when sitting behind me, or spill drinks on my stuff when sitting in front of me. I seem to get fairly unlucky on planes with kids around me.
I wouldnt pay extra for a seat, but I understand why people would lol.
Yeah sounds like youve been unlucky. Even the priciest of sonys can't make ratty parents discipline their kids.
Was on a longhaul, sat behind the baby seats, and a couple did their best to keep their infant relatively quiet throughout. Everytime the baby cried for a long period, I just popped on the headphones. No issue. What was more annoying, was the lady next to me tutting everytime the baby made the slightest of noises. Now that was annoying.
Id rather just pay for noise cancelling headphones tbh. That and parents trying to control their kids (i know not all of em, but theres some that let children do WILD things i would never have been allowed to do) should cover most problems.
I'd also pay a premium to have a kid free supermarket for an hour or two at the weekend when I'm shopping
Nothing against the kids themselves, but more the parents that think anything their unruly child screams is adorable just by virtue of them being a child.
I tend to pay for premium people free ( or at least fewer ) zones by going first / business class on planes and trains.
Leg room and food etc is a bonus - but having either fewer or quieter people is the real value add ( nobody taking calls on speaker phone for example )
Yep absolutely I would and agree about the quiet carriage situation. A lot of our societal setup is based on trust and it seems the fabric of trust is seen as - doesn’t apply to me - nowadays. We need proper enforcement.
Dude, just pay for.1st class tickets. Realistically, you aren't going to see many kids there, and the few you do see, if they cause a scene, are more likely to be dealt with appropriately.
The fact that you aren't doing so implies to me that you aren't as open to paying a premium for this as you claim.
I'll get downvoted but fully think most pubs should be for over 18s past nine o'clock, send them elsewhere i don't need them running around at that time, it's well annoying
I'd probably pay a premium to be in a sober carriage at this point in my life. Afternoon trains on a Friday in summer always seem to have at least one massive stag/hen do, or rugby club outing, or party on their way to the races, getting shamefully leathered, sexually harassing other passengers, and sporadically puking in the toilets.
I'd pay a premium for a carriage away from obnoxiously loud drunk people. They should know better, behave like rabid animals *and* leave their empty/spilt beer tins all over.
Yep I've travelled by train alone and with my kids a tonne and other kids have never ever bothered me on the train. Drunk dickheads in football shirts? Fucking yep. Gaggle of dolled up women on a hen do? Yup. It's always other adults that make the journey unpleasant.
Saaame. I've seen more grown men and women kick off on flights and trains than I've ever seen children. Most kids these days are on iPads bothering no-one.
Oh don’t worry, soon there will be no kids, and then you can starve when there is no one around to take care of you in your old age.
Your society is sick.
"Everyone wants to live in a village but no one wants to be a villager"
You want future doctors, teachers, care home worker, bin men, builders.. you suck it up, that *other people* have to make the sacrifices required to have kids, and make those people come to fruition.
Their choice - that you need for your future
I dont think it's hostile to expect kids to behave themselves. So many parents just don't put in the effort to try and control their children and don't care the impact it has on other people.
Im not saying its not hard, im saying when you choose to have kids, you are choosing to be responsible for their behaviour and actions whilst they are young.
I mean its pretty simple in most cases, start by raising your kids to be respectful and considerate. But that seems to be too difficult for a lot of parents.
How about you take some responsibility for your child’s behaviour? I’ve got two kids and they don’t scream and shout in public as I teach them how to behave.
> No one has a problem with kids...
Come on, you know that's not true. My kids are very well behaved in public, but that doesn't stop a whole bunch of adults from being horrendous people to them, just because they had the temerity to be a child.
What did this group of adults do to them?
I’ve honestly never had anyone act with anything but kindness to my kids. Everyone else has been indifferent at the worst. Which is fine I don’t expect anyone else to care about my children. Not a single person has ever been anything that could be described as horrendous.
I'm sorry, but I simply don't believe you. This is so universal among the families with children that I know, and it's not rare.
For example, I just had an adult knock over my three year old because they were in the way and then not acknowledge it. I've had people make unkind comments because my children laughed, people call them nasty names for being a bit grubby in public.
This is mental. I’ve never heard anything like that. If someone knocked over my three year old like that I’d kick the shit out of them.
It’s not acceptable behaviour in the slightest, I’m sorry that happened to you. But it’s honestly nothing I’ve ever experienced and hope to never.
Like I said, I'm sorry but I simply don't believe you. This is such a universal experience among my friends . I'm certain that every single one would have an example from the last month alone.
I knock kids over but only when the parents are distracted at the bar. The idea of people doing while parents are watching is disrespectful and just stupid.
At worst the kid looks upset and you just mutter something like "really sorry little dude. Didn't see you there" then walk off.
I’m confused, this not you? As on my screen it’s coming up with your username.
“You want future doctors, teachers, care home worker, bin men, builders... you suck it up”
“Their choice - that you need for your future. So suck it up darling.”
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/s/v2xG9opg8X
That is not me saying people need to suck it up when kids are noisy. I mean 'suck it up' they are present. Which some people just don't like or can't tolerate.
But this whole post is about kids being noisy, and the original comment in this thread is about someone saying they need to suck up not being able to sleep because of noisy kids.
I think you’ve misunderstood the point to be honest, no one’s bothered about kids just being there. It’s about them being noisy and parents lack of parenting.
And I think you've made a big assumption as there are plenty of people who just don't like the presence of children, or the potential they may make *any* noise.
Is it child exclusion though if there would also be a family/children only area along with it? Plenty of adult only areas already exist (and family only) and as far as i can tell parents don’t seem to have an issue with those?
I can see the purpose of adult-only resorts. You are there for several days, maybe even weeks. And kids at resorts can (and should be) loud, adventurous and boisterous.
Transport such as trains and planes should be places where people are well behaved, and not typically there for extended duration.
this didn’t really answer my question.
People should be well behaved, but often are not - children *and* adults. Wouldn’t family friendly areas keep your children safe from the misbehaving adults? and subsequently, the adults that might be judgemental/high needs/vulnerable etc away from a child? I don’t have children but i’m sure if i did i would be happy to pay extra if i was worried i could be exposing my kid(s) to intoxicated adults in a small confinement. (e.g, football fans travelling home after a football game).
I've been to resort hotels that are 'family friendly' except for the 'adult level' that is a separate section. It doesn't exclude non-families from booking the 'family friendly' area though.
People have mentioned in Europe some trains have child-friendly zones with softplay and stuff.
I suspect in the UK, the demand would be so low, it wouldn't be economical to do this.
Bollocks to that, I’m a parent but get annoyed at children and other parents parenting (or lack of). No excuse for your kids screaming and shouting in public.
Oh I get that, but people acting like they should never be inconvenienced _at all_ by children, and/or having no sympathy for the trials of parenting "because they chose to be parents" make this a sad society to be in.
No. So many adults are annoying as well and I wouldn't want to pay extra and still have the problem of noise. I WOULD pay extra for a quiet area that is actually enforced- quiet kids welcome as well.
Imagine if someone asked if you'd pay a premium for elderly-free zones or disabled-free zones. They'd rightly be branded a bigot. Yet for some reason it's socially acceptable to ask these questions about children. It reminds me of how, until quite recently, children were the only group in society who it was acceptable to use physicsl violence against. Why is it that some people are incapable of seeing children for the human beings they are?
I agree. And these kind of topics and discussions just make parents feel utterly horrible just for having kids / bringing their kids along on journeys.
I understand there are some parents out there who don't give a toss about how their children act in these kind of situations, but the majority of responsible parents actually stress out regarding their children's behaviour on public transport.
It's almost like you can't win:
\- Child being noisy? Sorry, let me give the child her tablet.
Then it's...
\- "Look at that parent letting her child watch kids shows on a tablet. Bad parent!"
Sorry, I'll just fucking knock my child unconscious for your benefit. Would that work?
If you listen to Reddit, every parent is simultaneously a neglectful monster who can't be bothered to do the slightest bit of parenting AND a helicopter parent who obsessively manages their children's every move.
I travel a lot for work, and there are fewer children in these spaces, but you definitely still see them.
Because you have more space and privacy, however, if a child is being allowed to behave disruptively, it doesn’t have quite as much impact.
Personally I have no issue with kids being around - it’s more about whether their parents are keeping an eye on them and encouraging appropriate behaviours.
Highly recommend the Sony xm series (I have the xm4)- I literally am in my own little world as I cannot hear ANYTHING else when wearing them! Plus if you’re into bass, these are the ones to go for!!
I'd gladly double my fare on a long haul flight to get away from kids. And/or twats. Honestly, every time I've flown business class that has been the main reason.
my asian mother kept my arse in check for sure 🤣🤣🤣
https://preview.redd.it/9g6rsvpejw4h1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6d3cacc45c5fd0f2b890e4febc6aeb168e6a9a87
i have kids and would pay a premium for places to have things for kids to do, in a separate carriage tbh.
i don’t like causing noise for others but my main concern is my kids and their wellbeing. would be good if a train had a children carriage that had toys and they were in close proximity to one another in order to interact and keep each other entertained etc.
i feel like i’ve answered your question in a round about way from a different perspective lol.
In the UK that would just end up full of adults when the train is over capacity. Imagine Johnny Businessman in his suit sitting at the top of the slide because it was the only seat available
No, I just don't seem to encounter problem children whether that be transport or restaurants or whatever. It's always the adults that cause an issue if there's going to be one, the kids just crack on with whatever it is they're doing.
I rarely have issues with children, it's mostly adults that are a problem.
I wouldn't pay extra for child-free areas, I think it's mostly unncessary... except for hotels. If I'm on holiday, I don't want to be sharing a pool with children. I want to be able to do adult things in a relaxed environment without being around children who want to play and shout and have fun. They're doing nothing wrong, but I don't want that experience when I'm on holiday.
I also don't really like children in pubs but I have plenty of choice and can avoid family-friendly places. No need to completely exclude children from spaces.
Kids are kids and I got brilliant noise cancelling headphones etc
But I happily pay extra to have a dickhead free zone. Luckily only had a handful in my decades of flying but they are endlessly more annoying than kids can ever be.
What do you do if your kids want the quiet space too?
There are places that don't let under-5s or under-8s in, like certain theatres, cinemas and restaurants. Which I'm fine with and happily go to. However I'm also glad that what places often called 'autistic-friendly' performances are now 'relaxed' behaviour performances, where making noises and getting up and down a lot is expected and the lights are kept on low instead of total dark.
What I think there's a demand for is 'strict performances', where people chatting or using phones during the performance are told to stop it and then on the second offence, kicked out. Theatres mostly manage it, even though they shouldn't have to. If cinemas tried it, they might get their audiences back.
Planes and trains - everyone just wants the cheapest tickets.
I do regularly.
I buy first class tickets for trains to London and its money very well spent to avoid the utter misery that is standard class these days.
Kids aren't usually the worst aspect of standard, but yeah its nice not having them in 1st class. Highly recommend paying the premium.
Imagine arriving at your destination, content and relaxed rather than stressed out and pissed off. Thats what you're paying for.
Instead of kid free zones, can we create kid zones on long haul trains and flights where there is actually room for the kids to move around and do shit.
I have a child, I also used to be a regular long-distance train traveller (2 x 4hr+ journeys each week for a number of years).
Such a thing should exist, but should not be charged extra for - it costs a rail company no more to allocate all the child-free bookings in a given carriage.
>I'm aware that some train lines already have a 'quiet carriage' but in my experience this isn't enforced very well.
Something to note is that when booking, you have the choice of specifying quiet coach, or any coach. You can't ask for non-quiet coach.
An improvement would be to offer that as a specific option, and to not allow child bookings in quiet coaches.
It would be pretty easy for there to be parent/child carriages where they have more of the tables with facing seats.
Anyone could use them but have them be priority for parents and kids
That way, people sitting in those carriages would have the knowledge kids would be around, and other carriages would be quiet carriages
Tbf id honestly just like to see quiet carriages enforced more.
No I wouldn't. For me, kids will be kids I'm not going to pay extra just to have a non kids carriage. I once went on a 14 hour flight from UK to Malaysia. There was a young mother on board with a small baby. Not once did that baby cry, and that mother was also up the whole 14 hours tending to her child making sure the baby wasn't making a fuss. I have nothing but respect for her.
at the end of the day, it does depend on the kid and the parent but obviously kids will be kids and it’s not unreasonable for them to cry or throw a tantrum. my long haul flights are always from london to KL (as i have relatives there) and i fly business on these flights and there are times where there’s a kid who’s disruptive but most of the time fine
I feel like when it comes to trains a great answer would be kid friendly carriages with things for them to do like in European Countries. Soft play area for small children etc.
Children are part of society and deserve to be a part of public spaces. I take the train multiple days a week and find that adults are usually more disruptive than children. Not all children are shouty and disruptive.
No, because it would never be enforced.
Also, I have kids. Although they've been complimented multiples times on how they behave on public transport, possibly because we actually do some parenting. Or we're just lucky.
I would.
Not only is it a good thing for child free people, it would also be great for families. it would mean they don’t have to worry about randoms quite so much and if family friendly areas existed as a result of kid-free areas it wouldn’t just be safer but also might have facilities that cater towards children. Not to mention being surrounded by people who would/should understand the situation you’re in with a child rather than childless adults who might not have a clue why your kid is acting the way it is at any time - whether in a good way or otherwise. It would assume it takes that anxiety of public judgement away.
I would pick the ‘child free’ area of any service; a restaurant, a holiday park, public transportation etc regardless of cost. I’m autistic and understand that children have needs that my needs tend to clash with so happy to spend the extra ££.
yes i would, and have i guess. few years ago one of the airlines i took for a long haul flight on business class (on the upper deck of the a380 didn’t allow kids on that deck) and it was great
I wouldn't personally. And though yes there is the odd loud kit honestly it tends to be other adults (people taking a call on speaker phone, people drunk etc.) that cause me more annoyance more frequently then a kid being loud.
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