Imagine walking into a bustling public park on a hot Saturday morning, only to find a reserved table with a stern note warning you to stay away.
That’s exactly what happened to one park-goer, who shared their frustrating experience on an online advice forum.
The Note That Started It All
The handwritten note, left on one of the benches, read: “Reserved for a birthday party. Please respect the space we’ve set aside and do not use our tables. This is for a four-year-old’s party, don’t be the one to mess it up, thank you.” The tone was aggressive, and the expectations were clear: stay away, or risk ruining the birthday boy’s special day.
A Fellow Park-Goer Calls Out the Entitled Parents
The person who shared the photo of the note online was not impressed. “Busy public park on a hot Saturday/public-holiday weekend. Seems super entitled. The note has been there for four hours, and there is no sign of them. All the other tables are full.” They added that they were also celebrating a birthday party with 10 kids, but didn’t feel the need to mark their territory with a threatening note.
The Internet Weighs In
The online community was quick to share their thoughts on the matter. Most people agreed that the note was rude and inconsiderate, with one user writing, “As a parent who has gotten up at 5 am and sat at one of these to keep it reserved, please just use the tables! How rude of them!” Another likened it to people reserving pool chairs at 7 am and not showing up until 3 pm.
A Few Defenders, But Mostly Outrage
Some people did try to see the parents’ perspective, saying they understood the desire to ensure they had seats for the party. However, most agreed that preventing others from using the tables all day was not the solution. One user suggested that adding a time to the note would have been more considerate, saying, “Yeah, I really want to be on their side, but without a time on the note, the note is just useless.”
The Verdict: First-Come, First-Served
In the end, it’s clear that the parents’ approach was not well-received. As one user succinctly put it, “All public benches are on a first-come, first-served basis.” If you’re planning a party in a public park, it’s probably best to show up early and claim your spot like everyone else.
Moral of the Story
This incident serves as a reminder to be mindful of our actions in public spaces. We’ve all been there – trying to juggle party planning while keeping our kids happy. But let’s not forget to be considerate of others around us. Who knows, maybe next time the parents will rethink their approach and add a friendly note with a specific time, so everyone can enjoy the park together!