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Probably done to death and I 100% appreciate I'm not 'down with the kids' but...
Is it reasonable to expect some restraint from teens if they see I'm at the skate park with my 6 year old?
I'm kind of on the fence on this - I know I can't protect him from bad language forever and it's probably shouted in the school playground, but does it really have to be every other word, and as loud as possible? On the other hand - is a skate park a refuge for teenagers to escape grumpy old men like me telling them what to do?
**** yes, I usually ask them politely to keep the lamguage down. Most of them do and one always seems to let the odd word slip out and the others give him grief about it to embarass him.
Just ask them.
It’s about manners and respect for others.
Yes if you ask they usually apologise.
On the other hand – is a skate park a refuge for teenagers to escape grumpy old men like me telling them what to do?
I would lean towards that. Limited options for teens to hang out and be themselves. I think each group should have their own spaces and if you visit then it's their rules. I'd hope they'd be accommodating to visitors but not insist on it. No harm in asking, though
Just ask them nicely, you'll always get gobby teenagers but I've never had issues at skateparks. It probably helps that I'm three times their size and still skateboard 😉
I've asked before and it's been positive. "Sorry lads, do you mind watching the language a bit...I don't want his mother blaming me for his new words.." usually goes down alright!
For balance I recently had to ask a man in his 60s if he thought talking loudly about pornography at his embarrassed looking wife/female companion, in front of families of children (and my baby daughter), in a small village cafe was appropriate. I didn't wait for a response, he was grim.
I think nielc has it. Ask in a nice way and most will probably stop or reduce the swearing as it's partially them getting excited but as you said it is "their" space you are bringing a young child to.
On a related note I think you have to be careful what time you take a young child to a skatepark as they can cause an accident as they don't know the flow of park or can end up standing or playing in the middle of the park stopping all the lines or suddenly walk into a area where someone is heading at high speed. You may be fine but have seen some near misses and some accidents due to young kids at saktepark at busy times. It's a difficult balance.
as above - if you can go when it's quiet.
Just tell da yoofs to **** off..
Thats gonna teach em right innit.
On a more serious note, whilst at the “scate” park in Valley Gardens the other week, there was a proper hissy fit between a scaterbo’ and some flash kid - teenage angst more than dropping in on someone.. any way they were f’ing at each other and some 14yr old girl walked over and asked them to stop swearing..
They did too..
The Mrs and I sat wide eyed whilst the nephews carried on dropping in on each other...
🤩
Noted on the timings - were there at 8:30am at weekend and unsurprisingly there were no teens. Have just found it bad at other times when we've been the only ones there and then large shouty groups turn up with sweary music blaring. Other than that they've been well natured so don't want to be a complete killjoy. I'll have a quiet word next time.
I find a visit to either of our nearest skateparks oddly therapeutic. Probably because it's good to see teens and indeed many blokes in their 30s and 40s getting all rad on halfpipes and rails.
Yes, there's a bit of swearing but it's never got out of hand IMO. My lad sometimes comments on it but he shrugs it off and accepts it for what it is.
Possibly more important to me is everyone accepting each other's space and avoiding accidents.
I’m just happy that skate parks now exist. Skating in Yorkshire in the 80’s was a grim affair. Co-Op car park was literally the only option. Most kids will mind their language around young ones if asked politely.
Funny that you ask this question as I had a similar situation the other day. There was a young ragamuffin who seemed to drop the F bomb every other word. My 5 year old daughter came over and told me that the lad was saying "F%$K" lots and it was "really rude and he shouldn't be saying it"... I suggested that perhaps she told him that. She did tell him, his mates ripped him for it and he stopped pretty sharpish!
On the other hand – is a skate park a refuge for teenagers to escape grumpy old men like me telling them what to do
Pretty much this.
As others have said, try and go at a different time if you are worried about their colourful language.