Open Letter to the guy with the kids who set his stuff down right behind us.
More Diapers | July 10Hi,
Gray-bearded skinny dude with the kids and wife in tow, remember me? Yes, I, along with my lovely wife, was the owner of that large blue blanket on Meneshma beach. You know the spot. The one situated about 200 feet from the people to our left and 100 feet from the people to our right? It WAS a great spot. I know you thought it a spectacular spot, too, as you decided to situate your entire family room complete with the family 5 feet directly behind us.
It was really great hearing about the humus you packed for lunch. The kids really seemed to be into it. And, does your wife talk at all? She seemed to be the only one that didn’t know how to yell. Too bad for her, I guess.
BTW, your son is quite coordinated with those booming giant ping-pong type paddles — and no, it wasn’t really that loud. You guys definitely communicate well across great distances, too. You’re right, he was getting a little too deep in the water for comfort. Phew, glad you sprayed sand on us as you ran down to the water’s edge to make that point very clear to him.
I hope you didn’t find it rude that we moved out blanket about 100 feet to our left. You know, into that huge empty spot with no other towels nearby? It was quite a walk, that 100 feet, but don’t think of us as inconvenienced in the least.
And, just a question: Have you ever had any time away from your kids? Me neither. In the 17 months since my son was born, I’ve had exactly three (non-continuous) nights away from him. That was until my wife and I went to Martha’s Vineyard for a relaxing, no kid vacation. We’re really glad you could join us for that. We missed the yelling and worrying and you remedied it. Thank you. You are the most considerate man in the world. Please, don’t ever think you’re not the only people on the beach, it would be doing the other beach-goers a great disservice indeed.
Oh, and in the event you don’t read this blog, I also posted this as a missed connection on craigslist’s Cape Cod section. Take a look!
1) Sorry that happened. I’m always startled by people like this guy, who seem to have no sense of the people around them. Or perhaps just no sense.
2) Outstanding reaction on your part, and kudos to you on your restraint for not posting his name and those of his family members, since I’m sure that you heard them repeatedly during the day.
3) This is why I believe we should have clue-free sections in most public venues–beaches, concerts, movies, etc. Except that people who are clue-free could never find them.
Time to call Charles Atlas?
I believe in the concept of personal space. I’m totally bought in. It was really rude of him to choose a spot right next to you. That is sort of like being in a public restroom with a row of 15 stalls and having someone choose the stall next to me. I want to bang their heads on the porcelin when they do that!!!
You don’t know how manny times I have had a similiar conversation in my head over the years. People can be very inconsiderate and that’s why I always carry my “Crazy Man” spray. A few quick sprays and I change into “Crazy Man”–At the Beach–At the Store–At the Post Office(Strike That, not recommended for post office use)or–At the Movies. I loved your response, but you would be amazed how much space you are given when people notice “Crazy Man” is in the area.
Funny. I hate that it happened. I hope he reads this blog. Still chuckling.
Nice!
Don’t you love people who think they’re the only ones in the world.
I am way too loud and rude to not make him be the one to move. I would have made sure he felt as uncomfortable as you did, and as I would have been. I feel way to justified in situations like that to not have been the one to hold the mirror up to nature and make him realize how rude he was.
OMG! That was so not funny but funny in a way b/c it also happened to us this past Monday, 7/3, as we planted ourselves for 3 hrs at this nice beach in MA. And as pple were clearing out since it was 6ish PM, this whole family, including their Great great grandparents settled 3 feet from us AND one of the dudes had the nerve to light up 3 feet from my 3 young children!! UGH!! And one of the obnoxious kids screamed at the top of his lung “I can pee in the ocean?! I can pee in the ocean?!” Classy huh?! It was dubbed “a beach day from hell!”
I am cracking up that you posted that on Craiglist. Too freaking funny. There should be some kind of personal space law.
I will make my husband apologize. He really did like that hummus. Sorry.
;-)
Excellent post. Loved every minute of your pain-filled vacation.
[…] More Diapers at Blogfathers has experienced the syndrome that i absolutely loath. I have no idea why it is that every time you steel a moment away without the children, other people’s children are louder, closer, and more in your face than they ever were before. That, and their parents seem to loose any sense of being parents that they may or may not have had. […]