Teenagers cursing at swimming pool around small children

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:16:02 -- I didn't say they have a rule about cursing. They may, or may not. I said there's no constitutional right to curse at a pool. Read the caselaw. And how am I a control freak? I didn't say anything to the kids at the pool (am not even the OP and haven't been in the situation -- my kids are too young to care yet about the language). I'm saying that when people say "there's free speech" to excuse this behavior, that person is poorly educated about the law.

No I'm not, you sillyhead. Technically I'm actually a lawyer But it is common usage to use the expression in the way that I did and it is, in fact, true that we have the right to curse and say what we want in public places unless there is a specific rule against cursing in a specific public location (schools would be a good example). To my knowledge, there is no law against cursing in a public pool. Apparently, all lawyers are supposed to be uptight control freaks like you when it comes to language and everything else. You need to let people exist around you and your kids without calling in the authorities. It's ridiculous behavior.

This attitude contributes to a lot of the problems many kids have today--adults who think just about anything goes because "I have a right" with no thought for others. Do we really need "a specific rule" for certain behaviors to be objectionable?!

I agree! If adults are letting teenagers get away with this type of behavior then it's hopeless. I remember this teenager rudely asking the lady at the register, "Where is my food??!" I couldn't believe that the register lady didn't tell him that he shouldn't talk like that. I had to bite my tongue to not say anything to him because I didn't want to get in a fight in front of my children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

A group of kids is not a "gang" of teenagers, and usually these tough talking kids are not "scary" unless you are scared of black people in general.

Learn to be a part of the village.

You amaze me. First of all, why do you assume the kids were black? Secondly, you comment suggests that black parents don't care if their kids are "tough talking." That's quite a generalization.

Teens at the Randolph pool (or Banneker Pool, or perhaps even the Upshur Pool) are going to be 80% black.

Teens will be 80% black? So 3 of 4 grandparents will be 100% black, and the other will be 20% black, makign the common grandchildren 80% black?

Oh, you meant 80% of the teens will be black. Never mind.

[Anonymous]

Are you just looking for a reason to be offended? Go to a DC Public Pool that is not Wilson, and tell me the racial makeup of the teenagers there. I wasn't the poster who called the kids a scary gang. I called them kids, because ultimately a group of kids does not become a gang simply because it is a group of black kids. I was reacting to that comment - I find it offensive that people will be scared to approach a group of teens because of their race.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you just looking for a reason to be offended? Go to a DC Public Pool that is not Wilson, and tell me the racial makeup of the teenagers there. I wasn't the poster who called the kids a scary gang. I called them kids, because ultimately a group of kids does not become a gang simply because it is a group of black kids. I was reacting to that comment - I find it offensive that people will be scared to approach a group of teens because of their race.

Race isn't the issue here. If there is a group of 20 people cursing and trash talking, I would be hesitant to approach them. If they don't see anything wrong with their behavior, than they most likely won't change it and might even retaliate. And this doesn't sound like a group of kids that need to be reigned in a little....management should step in at the risk of driving their other customners away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you just looking for a reason to be offended? Go to a DC Public Pool that is not Wilson, and tell me the racial makeup of the teenagers there. I wasn't the poster who called the kids a scary gang. I called them kids, because ultimately a group of kids does not become a gang simply because it is a group of black kids. I was reacting to that comment - I find it offensive that people will be scared to approach a group of teens because of their race.

Even at Wilson, I've been bothered by the rowdy--yes, black--teens and pre-teens in the smaller pool. They generally stay out of the kiddie section; however, I've been there when they are tossing basketballs across the kids section and interfering in the play of the 5-and-under crowd. White teens, btw, are conspicuously absent from Wilson, or else they are all doing laps in the 50 M pool or at their more exclusive swim clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Gangs of teenagers can be scary. I wouldn't have talked directly to them but talked to the manager or director.

A group of kids is not a "gang" of teenagers, and usually these tough talking kids are not "scary" unless you are scared of black people in general.

Learn to be a part of the village.

crime rates unfortunately tell a different story.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Race isn't the issue here. If there is a group of 20 people cursing and trash talking, I would be hesitant to approach them. If they don't see anything wrong with their behavior, than they most likely won't change it and might even retaliate.

It's not a race issue as I see it either. A group of rowdy, trash talking teenagerS makes me uncomfortable and I wouldn't approach them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Should I call DC parks and rec and tell them"


LOL!

double LOL and this -

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? You can't control the whole world. Your kids will survive hearing some bad words.

I agree with PP.

And honestly, OP, as a teacher of teens (some very rough ones), FEW will listen unless you've built a rapport with them. They'll laugh in the face of a stranger telling them to clean up their language.

And your child will survive. Hell, I'm sure my own kids have heard language just as foul coming from me! Such is life!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? You can't control the whole world. Your kids will survive hearing some bad words.

I agree with PP.

And honestly, OP, as a teacher of teens (some very rough ones), FEW will listen unless you've built a rapport with them. They'll laugh in the face of a stranger telling them to clean up their language.

And your child will survive. Hell, I'm sure my own kids have heard language just as foul coming from me! Such is life!

Disagree. I don't curse in front of my kids. It is obnoxious and wrong. And I've never seen bad behavior at a pool, and been to many. Of course I live in the suburbs, thank God.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should join a country club - no "gangs" of black teenagers to scare you poor white folk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you should join a country club - no "gangs" of black teenagers to scare you poor white folk.

instead of defending the behavior, why not correct the problem?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? You can't control the whole world. Your kids will survive hearing some bad words.

I agree with PP.

And honestly, OP, as a teacher of teens (some very rough ones), FEW will listen unless you've built a rapport with them. They'll laugh in the face of a stranger telling them to clean up their language.

And your child will survive. Hell, I'm sure my own kids have heard language just as foul coming from me! Such is life!

Disagree. I don't curse in front of my kids. It is obnoxious and wrong. And I've never seen bad behavior at a pool, and been to many. Of course I live in the suburbs, thank God.

OMG

You're just as "pure and simple" as the OP, Mary Poppins!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seriously? You can't control the whole world. Your kids will survive hearing some bad words.

I agree with PP.

And honestly, OP, as a teacher of teens (some very rough ones), FEW will listen unless you've built a rapport with them. They'll laugh in the face of a stranger telling them to clean up their language.

And your child will survive. Hell, I'm sure my own kids have heard language just as foul coming from me! Such is life!

Disagree. I don't curse in front of my kids. It is obnoxious and wrong. And I've never seen bad behavior at a pool, and been to many. Of course I live in the suburbs, thank God.

See? Nice suburban poster knows to keep away from the scary city pools. There are gangs there! And public drinking! Spooky old city! By the way, did you enjoy your Applebees tonight?

[Anonymous]

I have had a similar situation riding a bus, a much more captive situation. The issue at that point was that I did not care for my kid constantly hearing the n-word so causally. I turned to the kids and said, I hope my child never thinks that word is appropriate. Please show her it is not and they stopped immediately.