Xenophobia And Mammophobia Go Together ?

[Canary42]

It seems that AB's favourite Xenophobe's mammophobia is also shared by Farage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30341654

[Gromit]

AOG
I didn't see that thread.

Why did you post it in Media and TV? You got a lot of replies though.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// AOG
I didn't see that thread. ///

/// Why did you post it in Media and TV? You got a lot of replies though. ///

Afternoon Gromit, yes it was my mistake I did intend to put it in ChatterBank (see my apology on the first post) because I thought at that time it wasn't suitable to go in the news section, someone would have bound to remark "this is not news".

Just goes to show what turns out to be news in the end theses days?

[mikey4444]

Farage puts his size nines in it again, it would seem. But it all grist for the Mill as far as he is concerned, as his view is that a day out of the headlines, for good or bad reasons, is a day wasted !

[andy-hughes]

I have to come to Nigel Farage's defence here.

I think he was a little under prepared for the question from Nick Ferrari, and his point about 'sitting in a corner or somewhere ...' was merely a suggestion for how Claridge's could implement it's feeding policy - if it actually has one.

He did start by saying that some people, particularly of an older generation, are offended by the sight of a mother breastfeeding her baby, and he pointed out that for him personally, it was not an issue.

So really Canary, you are following the media line on this, and making it into something it isn't - Farage coming down on the side of the anti-breastfeeders, when he gave no such indication.

[-Talbot-]

Actually, andy...he wrapped up with the comment about the olser generation.

For anyone who found it difficult to hear what Farage said.

"Im not particularly bothered about it but I know a lot of people feel very uncomfortable"

"its not an issue that I get terribly hung up about but I know particularly Nick people of the older generation feel awkward and embarrassed about"

[andy-hughes]

Thanks Talbot.

I for one wonder what all the fuss is about.

It's perfectly easy to avoid any woman breastfeeding - simply don't look, in the same way as you wouldn't stare at someone eating with their mouth open, these things are simply avoided by using standard good manners - don't stare!

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// these things are simply avoided by using standard good manners - don't stare! ///

Using standard good manners applies to all Andy, and I consider breast feeding a baby at a dining table in an establishment such as Claridge's not the very best of manners.

[mikey4444]

I really can't see what all the fuss is about with breast-feeding ! Whenever I have seen it, which isn't very often at all, the woman hasn't dramatically plopped her breast out, all over the table, to a fanfare of trumpets. She just lifts her bra up a couple of inches and lets the infant get on with it.

All this "outrage" against breast-feeding reminds me of the story of the old spinster, who dials 999 and reports that there is a young man in the flats opposite, who is exposing himself in the window. The Police rush over and climb up to the 4th floor where the lady lives, and find her sitting on a chair by her window, trembling and making a lace hanky a bit damp.

The Police dutifully look out the window, up and down, right and left but can't see anything happening at all.

"Oh no" the lady says " you have to stand on the chair !"

If somebody is going to be offended by something as innocent as breast-feeding, then maybe they should consider their trigger level of outrage.

[mikey4444]

AOG...I have never been fortunate enough or wealthy enough to eat at Claridge's, but if its not awfully good manners there, would it be OK somewhere like McDonalds ?

Or is it only posh places where people who are so easily offended, gather for Afternoon Tea ? ( with doilies )

[ChillDoubt]

This was a total non-story and was reflected thus in the public comments section. Just click on Highest Rated:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-30342953

[andy-hughes]

AOG - "Using standard good manners applies to all Andy, and I consider breast feeding a baby at a dining table in an establishment such as Claridge's not the very best of manners."

Then we will have to agree to differ my old friend - I for one do not adapt my manners according to the perceived importance of the venue in which I am situated - my manners are the same everywhere I go, and I am sure it is not unreasonable for hotels to assume a standard level of manners from their guests - and I cannot see that discreet feeding contravenes them.

[brionon]

I have UKIP phobia !

[andy-hughes]

mikey - "If somebody is going to be offended by something as innocent as breast-feeding, then maybe they should consider their trigger level of outrage."

Absolutely!

I have just returned from one of my grandsons' fifth birthday party - lots of mums and kids having a great time in a kids' playground warehouse venue.

And there was a mum breastfeeding her baby.

I doubt anyone even noticed, I noticed as I walked past because I always look at babies because I love them - and there he was suckling away, and absolutely nothing to see, even from a distance of about a foot, as I walked past, it looked like she was just cuddling him.

To be 'offended', I'd have had to stare far more closely and for far longer than could ever be deemed polite - and who would have been right to be offended then I wonder?

[ummmm]

When I had my first child my dad got very embarrassed when I first fed her in front of him. It didn't take him long to not care. Like Andy says, you can't see anything, the baby is in the way.

[Svejk]

If you could see it 'embarrassed' the poor man would it really have killed you to use another room?

[vetuste_ennemi]

A challenge to the defenders of a woman's right to breast feed in public. How would your answers be different if the hotel were not Claridge's in London, but the Hilton in Mecca.

[mikey4444]

vetuste_ennemi...I am at a complete loss as the point of your post 02:59.

I am not aware that there is a Hilton Hotel in Mecca, and even if there is, it is highly unlikely that you or I would be present, as I understand that Mecca is out of bounds to non-Muslims. Anyway, what may or not offends Muslims is entirely unconnected with this thread, which is about breast-feeding in Britain in general and in a very posh London hotel in particular.

Last night I had a very enjoyable Chinese meal with some old and close friends here in Penzance. The place was very busy, with lots of children present. As we were discussing this subject, I noticed that at a big table on the other side of the Restaurant there was a large family, with two kids in high chairs and one young woman breastfeeding her baby. Nobody batted an eyelid.

I am far from being the most enthusiastic supporter of women rights but why on earth should any woman see the need to hide herself away in a corner, or another room, just because her infant is hungry ? Maybe if some IS offended, they should retreat to somewhere else, not the mother.

We will be covering up the legs of tables again, lest they offend the feint-hearted.

[Sqad]

I just can't believe that this subject is still on-going........particularly on the part of the "pro public feeding " brigade.

Isn't it quite clear that some ABers would feel aggrieved at seeing a baby fed on the breast in a restaurant.....and some wouldn't.

The arguments for and against are being re-iterated ad nauseam.

[mikey4444]

Well...I am enjoying myself Sqad ! I am just trying to squash some of the daft nonsense going the rounds on here. What the ruddy hell has Mecca got to do with anything ?

By the way...good morning !

[Sqad]

Morning mikey......