Just Curious - Screaming Baby In 1St Class

[Smowball]

Am on a Virgin train right now and am sat in 1st class. Very posh lol - all China and cutlery lol ( it was booked as a surprise). There is a family also in this carriage with a screaming baby who hasn't stopped. It doesn't bother me as I have grandchildren but everyone looks most annoyed and keep tutting. Just wondered your thoughts as they are all clearly miffed at paying for 1st class and can't hear themselves think lol.

[Islay]

Children cry its a fact, but some people myself included tends to book club and first to get away from children so yeah it would annoy me but not enough to do anything.

[Tilly2]

I would be tutting too.

[Old_Geezer]

In fairness a babe who is upset should be the parents' responsibility and it is only polite not to inflict it's continuous screams on other diners. I'm unsure where there is on a train one can go to be private and fulfil one's responsibilities to fellow passengers, but surely there must be somewhere ? Maybe the toilets if there is nothing else ? Perhaps all it needs is a nappy changed. I don't think that it is 1st class makes any difference though.

[mccfluff]

any class or anywhere there is a screaming baby near me, i have the overwhelming urge to throw myself out the nearest window,

the sound goes straight through me, hate it.

[ummmm]

That's what headphones are for!

It wouldn't bother me. I'd feel sorry for the parents though.

[mccfluff]

its not that simple OG - babies cry for all sorts of reasons - teething being a major one, its not the kids or parents fault (generally speaking). you can't reason with the baby.

[FoxLee2]

I would be annoyed if the baby was left to scream and the parents or whoever was in charge were doing nothing to try and pacify the baby. A baby screams, as opposed to crying, for a reason - tiredness, teething or colic and something can be done in each case to calm the baby.

[ummmm]

Old Geezer - If someone suggested I took my baby to a toilet I'd suggest they re thought that comment.

If it were me I would walk up down the train trying to comfort the baby.

[Old_Geezer]

No you can't, but you can try to protect others around you from the worst of it. Perhaps next time they consider taking the train to somewhere they might decide it isn't such a good idea; as the baby isn't old enough to know not to scream.

[Prudie]

I cannot bear screaming kids or babies on any form of transport but I suppose this family have also paid. To be honest the staff should say something, it's not fair on other passengers - in an ideal world someone from the family would have the decency to take the baby elsewhere until it fell asleep (or use a dummy).

[Smowball]

I can't see them as they're behind me a few seats but the mum sounds very stressed. Luckily they've just brought the drinks trolley round!

[Old_Geezer]

You shouldn't have needed to have someone suggest it; you should be able to think out solutions for yourself before anyone feels the need to.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah give it a double rum and brandy chaser. That'll keep it happy.

[trt]

Ask one of the staff, if there is any room in the cargo wagon for them.

[Smowball]

Baby is now quiet. Not sure whether mum or baby had a cheeky tipple! (Only joking)

[New Judge]

“…any class or anywhere there is a screaming baby near me, i have the overwhelming urge to throw myself out the nearest window,…”

I have the overwhelming urge to throw the child out of the nearest window.

“…but the mum sounds very stressed.”

Oh dear. How sad. Never mind. (Her stress may help her reconsider her future travel plans).

A screaming child should not be inflicted on anybody (with the possible exception of its parents and siblings) regardless of where it is, what “class” it’s in if travelling, or anything else.

Yes, babies do cry. That's why they should not be permitted to travel on long distance public transport and why they should be kept as far away as possible from anybody who has not the remotest interest in them.

[Baldric]

Agree ^^^^ 100%

[joeluke]

Is the '1st Class' relevant?

Wouldn't a screaming baby be just as annoying to people sat in Cattle Class?

[New Judge]

And I forgot to add that a possible solution on trains is for parents with young children (say, under about 12 years of age) to be confined to travel in a special coach (something like a converted guard's van). They would pay a premium (say, about 150% of the normal first class fare) and this coach would be isolated from the rest of the train (to prevent cross-contamination). Those with such children could then travel in splendid isolation, surrounded only by people of like mind and would be unable to disturb the more discerning traveller.

[Islay]

What do you suggest new judge and baldric? Should mother stay at home with baby playing house and not travel until the child learns to doff his cap at his elders?