Pram mums on a rampage

Dear Betsy, I never normally write to newspapers but my shopping experience this week has really made my blood boil! I am a mother and a grandmother.

When my children were small and I took them out in their pushchair I always tried to ‘drive’ it with care and courtesy to others. Nowadays, no one seems to care about manners.

I was almost mowed down outside Sephora, had my heels nicked by a pushchair in Marks and Spencer, the mother was on her mobile and was maneuvering it with one hand.

I had to body swerve several times more in the supermarket later and more than once I have had to jump aside hastily when entering or leaving a store as mothers seem to think that they have right of way and barge right into you without a thought for any poor individual who happens to be in their way.

It is not just here in Bahrain, the same thing happened to me this year when I was in UK. 

The arrogant attitude of pram pushers has got to stop. It is almost as bad as driving in Bahrain and I never thought I would find myself saying that. Please can all you mothers out there show a little more thought and care for others?

Fiona

Dear Fiona,

I must admit this is something I had noticed too. I have to say that for me it was the size and shape of some of the buggies that caught my attention.

Just like cars, the designer pushchair is now a status symbol. (Do you know how much these things cost?)

Big, outsized wheels that can swing in any direction, power steering, (or so it seems) and shelves and pockets galore for all those must have accessories. I almost expect them to have headlights and a gear box. 

Do you remember those beautiful, elegant Silver Cross prams?

At least with those you couldn’t do a Lewis Hamilton impression up and down the aisles of Tesco’s and the baby was snug and safe.

You could also see them coming a mile away and the owners were so proud of them they would never risk maneuvers that might scratch their perambulator.

I wonder, do modern mums think of the safety and comfort of their kids as they bang and barge their way around the malls? 

So, if any mums with pushchairs are reading this how about a bit more consideration for Fiona and the rest of us?

BETSY SAYS RELAX...

Get rid of all that traffic jam induced stress. Visit the Bahrain International Circuit and indulge in one of their new Carting Sessions. Unleash the beast in you, safely!BETSY SAYS RELAX...

Get rid of all that traffic jam induced stress. Visit the Bahrain International Circuit and indulge in one of their new Carting Sessions. Unleash the beast in you, safely!

Dear Betsy,

I was shocked to read the letter from SWCDAB.

This letter is full of contradictions and in my opinion he/she is guilty of exactly what they wrongly accuse you of. This letter was just a thinly-veiled personal attack on you, Betsy.

An Expat Who Cares Deeply About Bahrain.

Dear AEWCDAB,

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and my column is about giving readers the chance to air their feelings, whether negative or positive. 

Some of us have no other outlet for our emotions and I don’t take personal criticism on board, it’s all part of the job.

Dear Betsy,

 I am writing this to you to confess that I am one of those “drinking, pork eating, pool lounging drivers referred to in the letter from SWCDAB and I love it!

I am open and honest about my lifestyle. I am not doing anything illegal and at least I don’t hide behind hypocrisy. 

Oh, and is he joking about me not contributing to the economy? Does he know how much a pound of streaky rashers or my poolside G and T costs?

And, how much less would there be in the government’s coffers from the unspeakably high booze tax to spend on developing Bahrain?

I think he should move to the other side of the Causeway. 

By the way, a double helping of Ask Betsy last week was a great way to unwind.

Brian, The Very English Expat.

Dear Brian,

You have a fair point about the economy and expats spending habits contributing to it considerably.

Dear Betsy,

Are you joking? Do you seriously think I am going to stick my tongue out when I get stressed or angry? 

Your advice on driving in traffic jams is laughable. Stick to beauty tips.

Mr Angry Driver

Dear Mr Angry Driver,

If you found my advice laughable then go on, have a great big belly laugh.

Laughter releases stress too Mr Angry Driver and it sounds as though you could do with relocating your sense of humour.  Here’s a little something to get you started:

A man and a woman were drinking coffee.

MAN: Every time I take a sip of coffee my eye hurts so bad.

WOMAN: Try taking the teaspoon out of your cup.

Dear Betsy,

Why did SWCDAB hide his identity? Anyway, it was in vain as I have sussed him out. Is he is a member of the parliament?

If not, he seems to share a lot of their unfortunate short-sighted views. I have many Bahraini friends and colleagues who were angry at his letter as I passed GulfWeekly round the office. Thank goodness for the ‘real’ Bahrainis and their kindness and tolerance.

R T Neil.

Dear R T Neil,

As you say, the real Bahrainis reflect the real Bahrain that so many expats happily adopt as their home.

Dear Betsy,

I applaud what GulfWeekly is doing to promote breast cancer awareness in our community. It is one of my chosen charities which I have supported for many years.  I am happy to consider requests for donations to further research into this noble cause and in the past my friends and I have attended events to raise money for this charity. However, my blood is boiling at the series of emails that my friends and I have been receiving from a company trying to scare us into purchasing breast cancer health insurance. 

These emails are totally unsolicited and despite sending back UNSUBSCRIBE messages, I continue to receive them.

Elaine, Anne, Hannah, Jan and Meg.

Dear Girls,

I am sure most of our female readers would opt to support breast cancer charities and I too have donated and even sponsored events to raise funds for this important cause.

I look forward to reading about the insurance company’s huge donation to the charity.

If you only do one thing this week

Go visit one of the local art galleries.  No matter what your taste in art is, you will be spoiled for choice with exhibitions of the works of national and international artists.