Brian and Mike, you hit the nail on the head. There are no consequenses here in this country. We were at McDonalds one day and some youths got out of their car and just dumped all the bags and food contaners on the ground. They didn't even leave straight away, they waited for some friends and then chatted for a bit. We mentioned this to the guy bringing our food out and he said he would clean it up later that the management doens't like "confrontation", what the heck? Why not just applaud them when they do it?
I always thought America was bad on fighting crime but the UK takes the cake. At least if you get caught, you do the time. It's very upsetting that the youth do whatever they please because they know they will get away with it. It's really enough to make we want to go back to America.
I had made a similar reply to this topic on page one that if nothing is said then they will think it's ok to do it again. We need to stand up to them and let them know we won't take their crap. (can I say that?)
I think you have to be careful about condemning all "youth" - I was one not so long ago and I think we were considreate on the whole, although I am sure there were occassions when we made too much noise unintentionally - in much the same way as we probably do now.
On standing up to people I would agree that we need to and generally I do. Unfortunately after my last experience I may be a bit more wary - in france this summer we had a bloke standing outside our tent for half an hour at 9pm having a very loud mobile phone conversation, he hadn't even checked into the site yet, but after 30 minutes we knew about his day's journey, his college debts - $12,000, how much money he owed his friend on the other end of the line - $500, his friend's internet business, his own business .... My OH eventually attracted his attention (took some doing) and asked him politely to take his conversation elsewhere - the response was quite amazing, the most foul language I have heard, threats of physical violence, that he would burn our tent, that he would kill us in our beds that night ... he went away then came back 5 minutes later to continure for a further 5 minutes leaving us feeling fairly shaken.
all our neighbours heard it and several commented on it the next morning, we did wonder for the next couple of days whether we would wake up to find all our guylines cut. Unfortunately as it was dark it would have been very difficult to identify him.
I suppose the funny thing was that amidst it all he was still convinced that Tony Blair was PM, although we never quite worked out the relevance of that!
We have problems at the other end of the day, I have always been an early riser (5.30 - 6.00am) and can get up and go about my business without disturbing anyone, going for an early morning shower, making a drink etc.
For many years we have gone camping with friends of ours and for the first time ever they have been rising around the same time as I have been returning from my shower. The problem is, they can't talk quietly and were waking people in nieghbouring tents. I tried to tell them but they just didn't seem to realise it was a problem. I even tried going for a walk after my shower so I wouldn't be around to talk to but they just nattered to themselves still waking others
So you see, it's not just young ones that cause a nuicence it's us oldies too, me for being up early and them for having loud voices (it's all those years yelling at the kids to be quiet).
I'm not saying all youth, but in general, the statistics are high. I wouldn't advise confronting anyone and instead reporting it to the warden.
Sorry about your experience in France, that must have been frightening. It's ashame that so many just don't care, I feel this is the same in the states as well so unfortunately, it's everywhere you go.
Quote: Originally posted by vealmike on 06/9/2007
It all started when the doo-gooders told the kids they could do whatever they liked without fear of physical reprisal from adults.
Quote: Originally posted by arthurdent on 07/9/2007
Quote: Originally posted by vealmike on 06/9/2007
It all started when the doo-gooders told the kids they could do whatever they liked without fear of physical reprisal from adults.
There is something in that whole "I've got rights, I'm a kid, you can't touch me (both physically and metaphorically)" that is soooo frustrating. Does anyone watch Eastenders? I'm thinking of that obnoxious little boy who was winding up Patrick in the shop then the second Patrick relatiated he was on about abuse / police etc. etc. It is not good when children have no respect for anyone else - if you can't reason please be quiet/stop running into my tent with them what can you do?
I saw two little boys outside my local shop thrown a can of coke onto floor - about 4 steps away from a bin. I suggested they might want to pick it up adn put it in the bin and they just looked at me like I was scum. Grrr! No respect for the environment either...
Quote: Originally posted by gilly2411 on 04/9/2007
Hello, I am off camping for the first time this weekend and am really excited! I am now a bit worried though incase we end up with a load of rowdy youths!
Can anyone recommend a nice quiet site in the New Forest? We are just going for one night to test out our new tent. We are very new to this so goodness knows how long it will take us to pitch!
Hello and welcome, Gilly.
I know it can be depressing reading about some people's bad trips here, but its important to remember that ordinary campers are in the majority, and you'll have a good time on most occasions.
I can't specifically recommend anywhere in the New Forest, but have a look in the reviews and you'll hopefully be able to find somewhere that looks quiet.
You're right - it's not all kids. Infact, it's a minority. Until a few years ago I was a scout leader, and a canoe coach.
In my years volunteering I saw two things that really gave me faith in society.
The first was a kid misbehaving badly on camp. He was told to buck his ideas up, he didn't. He was in uniform, in public, swearing and generally being a little s**t. He was warned he'd get a clip round the ear, but still he carried on. So (rightly or wrongly) one of the leaders gave him a clip. It wasn't hard enough to hurt the kid, just enough to let him know his behaviour wouldn't be tolerated, to put him down in front of his peers. The kid immediately stopped playing up. It's the only time I've ever seen this happen in 25 years of Scouting. No biggie really. What made me smile occured four or five days later, back at the HQ unloading the kit, the kid ran straight to his Dad..
"How was camp son"
"not bad - but Nigel hit me"
Thwack.
"If Nigel hit you, you deserved it - here's one from me too!"
The second incident was in the middle of Southampton water, I was leading a group of kids and one was playing up paddling in the opposite direction to all the others, generally being as disruptive as he could. I paddled over to his boat and quietly asked him to behave.
"Why should I? You can't do anything to me"
So I quietly explained that Oh yes I could. I could use whatever means I felt fit - all I had to do was say that his behaviour was endangering the other kids and that any judge would have to agree with my point of view. Watching the cogs turn in this kids head was fantastic he couldn't argue with that. I had no more trouble from that kid.
I don't condone hitting kids, but they need not to know that.
Gilly, in answer to your Q about the new forest...
Ashurst bridge is a good site, near the railway line, hardstandings for caravans - check to see if they'll let tents pitch on the grass. Ashurst has a toilet / shower block.
If you're self contained, Denny wood is also good. Denny wood only has (read had, I've not visited since the 80's) an elsan point, no loos or showers. Denny Wood is near Brockenhurst, there is a deer enclosure about a mile from the site too, just follow the road through the site, and keep going.
You're right - it's not all kids. Infact, it's a minority. Until a few years ago I was a scout leader, and a canoe coach. In my years volunteering I saw two things that really gave me faith in society. The first was a kid misbehaving badly on camp. He was told to buck his ideas up, he didn't. He was in uniform, in public, swearing and generally being a little s**t. He was warned he'd get a clip round the ear, but still he carried on. So (rightly or wrongly) one of the leaders gave him a clip. It wasn't hard enough to hurt the kid, just enough to let him know his behaviour wouldn't be tolerated, to put him down in front of his peers. The kid immediately stopped playing up. It's the only time I've ever seen this happen in 25 years of Scouting. No biggie really. What made me smile occured four or five days later, back at the HQ unloading the kit, the kid ran straight to his Dad.. "How was camp son" "not bad - but Nigel hit me" Thwack. "If Nigel hit you, you deserved it - here's one from me too!"
The second incident was in the middle of Southampton water, I was leading a group of kids and one was playing up paddling in the opposite direction to all the others, generally being as disruptive as he could. I paddled over to his boat and quietly asked him to behave. "Why should I? You can't do anything to me" So I quietly explained that Oh yes I could. I could use whatever means I felt fit - all I had to do was say that his behaviour was endangering the other kids and that any judge would have to agree with my point of view. Watching the cogs turn in this kids head was fantastic he couldn't argue with that. I had no more trouble from that kid.
I don't condone hitting kids, but they need not to know that.
Sorry to hijack the thread.
This is the same response as I would have got from my father & my son knows he would get the same.
Me & some school friends were bought up before the deputy head at school in the 70's (affectionately known as chopper) he offered us a choice call our fathers or take the cane, all 3 of us replied " I'll have the cane please sir"
I'm sorry for the person who was threatened in France, I'm not a big bloke but I'd have kicked off big time if I was spoken to like that no matter how big the bloke was, I asked a group of people to tone it down at 1.30am last year & got an F.U. reply from one of the group the rest of the group did tone it down & I waited for their friend in the block & he didn't want to F me at all when he was alone. These people are just bullies, stand up to them & watch them fall. The worst they can do is hurt you & theres nowt like a ruck after a couple of tins and a barbie.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: disastrous weekend
No respect for the environment either...
