Hey guys! So I’ve been on vacation for a week now and for the majority of it we were out of town with no cell or computer service. It was heavenly. Will had a blast. I’ll do the vacay recap after our second week…(you say decadent…and I say ‘ahhhhh’ .. kidding). Although we did have a kick ass trip to The Wiggles yesterday with Christine and Cuy!!!!
Over the last week, I’ve run into a few etiquette type questions….so I thought I’d pose them to you! Let’s hear what you have to say and see how little couth (sp???) I truly have!
a. Handicap johnny on the spots? Do you use them? We were at the Hillside Music Festival this weekend and for some reason, the lines at the washroom were insane. But at the end of the line of cans, there was a handicap one- sitting idly, like a mysterious oasis. So I started using it. I’d always act like I was about to poop myself. I thought what’s the big deal but then guilt started to sneak in. There were even little notes inside (it’s a hippy fest what can I say) and in one it said ‘always be as great as you are right now’. I walked out sheepishly after that. Use them? Yes or no?
b. Park peeing? Not for me – for the kid! We’re in the midst of toilet training, is it so terrible if I let Will do a grass pee behind a tree at the park if he has to go?
c. Splash pad nudity? We used to live across from a splash pad at our old house. I wouldn’t let Will go naked there because there were many nationalities and I didn’t want to offend anyone – not knowing what they are comfortable with. In our new neighbourhood, there aren’t as many new Canadians and the first couple of times we were at our new splash pad, Will didn’t have a bather with us so I let him go in naked. Is this bad?
d. People who can’t take a joke? Will and I were at Loblaws and the cashier was kidding and asked how much she could buy him for. Considering he had just yanked down 5 pairs of shoes off the Joe rack and chucked out boxes of quinoa on the ground, I said ‘today – it’s a sale – actually I may pay you to take him.’ She and I giggled and I looked up to see the chick at the cash next to me looking at me in horror. Was it wrong of me to tell her to remove the broom handle from her….. KIDDING! But come on. Can you not even joke about your kids driving you over the brink anymore???
e. Lastly, would it be in bad form of me to offer the old man with the big tan and little, itsy bitsy, black speedo who hangs at the pool some surf shorts?? Probably eh?
Just thought I’d ask!!!
So let’s talk etiquette! Thoughts please!
1) I have 2 sons with aspergers and so I use these washrooms if there isn’t any other physically disabled person in need and the regular washroom has too much of a line up which will put my boys in a tizzy – plus they have issues with public washrooms to begin with
2) I have 6 boys need I say more?
3) NO way to nudity because you just don’t know who is out there staring, taking pics whatever – creep alert for sure
4) Cashier needs to get laid maybe – I have offered to give many of my kiddies away for free
5) Speedos should be banned on certain males:)
You’re right on the doodie front Julie….all you ladies have totally got me to change my nudity thing…although Will has to get used to it – tonight he was peeling open his bathrobe after the swim…liking the breeze – he was unimpressed when I threw on the diaper!
Micheline….that is AWESOME….I’m PRO cantina in the park….
-yes if I am not putting anyone out- I have also used the men’s room on several occasions
-of course for boys to a certain age maybe 3 or 4 off in a discreet way
-no to nudity because of creeps- for example guy in black speedo?
-cashier needs an enema
-man needs to cover up. Speedo tells more than we care to know of strangers
a. yes…sometimes you gotta go. but i do check to make sure there’s no one waiting and it’s only for #1 just in case.
b. kids, yes…depending. we’re usually in a far off corner so for that person with the dog that gave me the stink eye….screw you…cuz your dog goes where ever on whatever (including my stuff)
c. nope…never know when a “DOODIE” will show up. chlorine will kill pee but i don’t wanna see anyone’s junk, no matter what age 🙂
d. i’ve tried to sell my kids more times than i can count. someone needs a stiff one (drink i mean)
e. no, but there’s nuttin’ you can do. just get a brain squeegee and erase it from your brain!
P.S. the guy in the Speedo? Did he also have black socks and sandals on? That would ramp up the fashion faux pas to a whole other level. The only place where that outfit is remotely acceptable is on the beach in New Jersey!!
When ya gotta go, ya gotta go. Those stalls are only designated because they will fit a wheelchair and have to be included because of building bylaws. Don’t feel guilty – I use the handicap one all the time, because I like the fact that they’re bigger. Who’s to say that claustrophobia and a weak bladder are not disabilities??? That being said, if someone in a wheelchair was there at the time, I would definitely let them go first. And HECK, I’ve even been known to go into the MEN’S room when the lineup has been too long at the ladies!!
Tree pees? Wish I could do that myself!! It’s fine to let your kid do that – it’s a right of passage that translates to “it’s ok to pee in a parking lot after a night at the bar” – and who doesn’t know a guy who’s done THAT on occasion??!! Although I did have a couple of kindergarten kids who took it a little far at outdoor play time – one peed down the sewer grate and one against a tree in the yard. You should have seen how fast the little girls ran to tell on them!!! So word of warning – always explain that tree peeing is for emergencies only!
Nekkid in public places – not such a good idea. You never know who is lurking. Think of the reasons why you don’t post full frontals of Will’s other naturist adventures and it will make sense.
I gave my kids away at Christmas once, but they were regifted.
A) Tough one. One time all the stalls were taken in a mall washroom so I used the handicapped stall. When I came out (I was quick) there was a woman in a wheel chair waiting. I felt horrible and apologized but….if no one is there at the time it seems OK. I use them all the time now with my girls because we all fit in it.
B) Totally fine at Will’s age. My girls do it.
C) No to splash pad. My girls love to be naked but we save it for home and cottage now.
D) Who give a flying F%$^ about her. Ignore her dirty look and enjoy your moment of fun.
E) We should write our MPs, MPPS, and City Councillors. We need a law against banana hammocks, on anyone, except competitive swimmers.
We’re visiting Germany right now. All the kids are naked in the splash pads and often in the outdoor pools. They pee freely and shamelessly in the bushes. It’s so refreshing not to have to be embarrassed when you have no other options for your kids. Other great things about raising kids in Germany – all the parks have cantines attached where you can buy a beer and drink it while child minding. Not bad!
handicapped washrooms – tough call there, because they should get used as a regular one when there is no one who needs the special aspects of it, but to jump the line to use it seems not quite cool, either, when others are waiting. Maybe pointing it out as another option to move the line faster?
The clandestine tree pee for a small child is fine. Bigger, the situation has to be more dire, but that comes later, when we can expect more of them.
I’m with Jo on splash pad nudies – I’d send my kids in their undies, and put their shorts on w/o them afterward if they really needed a dip. I’m not really comfy with my kids being nekkid in public places. The ick factor is just too high!
Good gravy, I frequently think out loud about selling my kids to the next circus that comes through town. Do people not get that this is a joke and a silly way to express frustration with those moments that seem designed to try us? Yeesh.
A) Yes, if it’s empty use them. If you arrive at the same time as someone with a disability, then obviously they go first. It shouldn’t sit empty.
B) No problem. Pee away.
C) I’m opposed to splash pad nudity. No a prude – just seems germy or something! Plus you never know what perv could be lurking… with a cell cam…
D) People who can’t take that kind of joke are stupid and judgmental.
Can I tell you have often I’ve offered to sell my kids to passersby? Especially when they’re doing the horrific/endearing things that wee ones do? Like when Christmas shopping, with the yelling and the thrashing on the aisle floor?
Yeah, people need to lighten up. And if you’re successful dressing the dude in the gross speedo, spread the word. There is a LOT of gross cactus action going on at outdoor pools around here!