Kelly Rose Bradford
Netmums contributorA tweet about children running around in a pub has caused outrage online – and there's even been celeb involvement!
When a Twitter user posted of her annoyance at 'kids at pubs running around uncontrolled by parents' last Saturday (April 8), she probably had no idea that the debate would still be raging 4 days later. Yet here we are...
The tweet was written by journalist Ava Santina, and landed just as the UK was in the middle of the Bank Holiday weekend, with many people already at the pub, if not thinking of heading that way soon. So whether or not people agreed with the content, the tweet itself resonated.
'I’m sorry but kids at pubs running around uncontrolled by parents are really annoying and always makes me question why I’m spending money to suffer it,' Ava wrote.
I’m sorry but kids at pubs running around uncontrolled by parents are really annoying and always makes me question why I’m spending money to suffer it
— Ava-Santina (@AvaSantina) April 8, 2023
What did people say?
Ava soon amassed a flurry of replies – and as of today (April 12) the tweet has had 1.9m views and just under 10k likes.
Many people were sympathetic with the journalist's tweet and agreed with her standpoint.
'Happened to me yesterday. WHY on earth do the parents just ignore it??' asked one fellow pub-goer.
'It's a pub, not soft play. We got to a pub so we don't have to deal with kids,' chipped in another.
'Totally agree. And restaurants. The parents think they've some entitlement,' added a third.
So did anyone disagree?
Yes – a few people on Twitter pointed out that she could go elsewhere if she didn't like it, while others accused her of being a child-hater!
'Wow this post is really anti kids. That's why I love the European attitude to kids rather than the English one,' said one of her followers.
'Does it really annoy you that much seeing children have fun?' asked another.
'Leave then,' said one, getting straight to the point.
Out came the big guns!
But then some well-known names waded in to the discussion, starting with actress Julia Sawalha!
Julia said she felt sorry for kids who were taken to pubs, and recounted her own childhood experiences:
'As a child I wasn’t allowed in pubs. I waited outside with an adult in the beer garden for my packet of Smiths crisps and a lemonade, on my best behaviour at all times. I feel sorry for kids who are brought inside, it’s not a healthy place for them to play. Pubs are for adults.'
As a child I wasn’t allowed in pubs. I waited outside with an adult in the beer garden for my packet of Smiths crisps and a lemonade, on my best behaviour at all times.
— Julia Sawalha (@JuliaSawalha1) April 9, 2023
I feel sorry for kids who are brought inside, it’s not a healthy place for them to play. Pubs are for adults.
Later, TV chef, Gary Usher waded in, posting from his White Horse Pub account, the hostelry he runs in Cheshire. And he made it very clear that all guests were welcome in his watering hole, even 4-legged ones!
'It’s the uncontrollable rude adults that cause problems when out not happy kids,' he tweeted. 'Please bring your kids & dogs to The White Horse pub where we have kids menus & crayons & also dog biscuits & water for your four legged family members.'
He later added:
'Some of my best memories as a kid are running around pubs my mum & dad would take us to. Beer gardens help obviously but just being in pubs when you’re younger with family & friends is the good stuff. Learning how to play pool or having a PINT OF COKE! We were all kids remember.'
It’s the uncontrollable rude adults that cause problems when out not happy kids. Please bring your kids & dogs to The White Horse pub where we have kids menus & crayons & also dog biscuits & water for your four legged family members 🤗 https://t.co/XCw2PegQ6P
— The White Horse Pub (@TheWhiteHorsePu) April 9, 2023
Ava Santina returned to Twitter the following day (April 9) to clarify her earlier tweet, and to point out that despite what some people were saying, she certainly was not anti-children!
'Running around uncontrolled’ has been missed in the criticism of this tweet. I was a child brought up in pubs! I don’t hate children!' she wrote.
“Running around uncontrolled” has been missed in the criticism of this tweet. I was a child brought up in pubs! I don’t hate children!
— Ava-Santina (@AvaSantina) April 9, 2023
Well, 'that escalated' as they say! And it's certainly a debate that divides opinion, isn't it?
What do you think? Do you enjoy a trip to the pub without your kids and think it should always be an adult-only space? Or do you enjoy family trips out to your local pub-restaurant, or to the beer garden on a nice day? Let us know!
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