Breastfeeding

zagfles

ElefantEd said:

zagfles said:

LippyDoodle said:

I really don't get it when this happens because it's the most naturally thing in the world. Yet we have had topless women shoved in our face (no pun intended!) for years. Page 3, top shelf mags, topless sun bathing etc. I know which I'd prefere to see. 

Maybe the world is getting more prudish, haven't seen any of those things for years!

I don't think it's a question of the world getting more prudish, it's more that there is a recognition that it is sexist and exploitative. There is plenty of nudity in other contexts - if you've watched any of the Game of Thrones you would be well aware of it!

I meant in public places - you don't tend to see GOT in public places! Obviously there's far more available privately like GOT and that which would make GOT look tame (so I'm told!).

But it does seem there's more prudishness about what can be seen in public places, as I said above my wife breastfed for over 4 years a couple of decades ago in all sorts of public places and never once got any negative comments, not even a look of disapproval that we noticed, and was certainly never asked to leave anywhere. But you do hear of it happening these days (though hopefully rare).

sparklep0ny

ianmackay88 said:

ItsComingRome said:

The_Fat_Controller said:

Outrageous behavior on behalf of Costa !

Go see the manager asap and demand an apology and if they refuse take it further as above.

As it's your local and if you are a regular, ask for some kind of restitution as well as an apology, a month of complimentary drinks and cake at least.

You could really have them over a barrel if you have the time and energy to pursue the issue.

I hope you do !

EDIT. You have the moral support of this 62 year old male duffer !

Not really.

It's poor behaviour of a likely undertrained and underpaid member of staff who thought the easy option was to get the OP to stop what they were doing rather than argue with an irate customer.

I'm aware that they represent the company whilst working, but I hardly believe this is "company policy" by Costa, so blaming them for this is a bit unreasonable.

Costa are responsible for their employees actions and like you say they are undertrained and underpaid. Who has undertrained them and underpaid them? Costa. No one is suggesting it is their company policy but they are responsible for this.

Why are you assuming that this is a training issue?

You have a customer throwing a wobbly over a woman breastfeeding and the woman breastfeeding. You've had a long day making coffee for idiots and you've had enough.  You decide the breastfeeding woman is less likely to kick up a fuss than the customer who is already doing so, so you ask them to cover up.  Problem solved as far as you're concerned.

Not a training issue.

Sazzy1253

Just to feedback, I did get in contact with Costa customer service. They were very apologetic and tracked down the member of staff. Apparently the staff member wasn’t aware that breastfeed was allowed in store. So training would be given. 

Brie

Will you be going back??  If you do, I hope the same server is there and pays for your coffee as an apology. (wishful thinking!)

sheramber

Maybe they could send the shops the stickers that say 'breastfeeding welcome here'.

Then there would be no doubt for  customers or staff.

Teapot55

kayleighali said:

Exactly. I am currently pregnant with number 3 and will be giving it a go again after failed attempts with the first two. If I am successful this time, woe betide anyone who complains about me

One of the things to help with success in breastfeeding is to feed regularly & frequently. Little & often suits babies better too. 

If at any time the baby seems not to be getting enough, spend a day feeding even more often & even expressing milk between feeds if you can and the milk supply will increase. 

If at any time you start to give the baby extra feeds of ‘formula’ milk your own supply of breast milk will drop off: this is also one way of stopping breastfeeding if for any reason you need to, so only bottle-feed if it’s your intention to stop breastfeeding. 

LippyDoodle

zagfles said:

LippyDoodle said:

I really don't get it when this happens because it's the most naturally thing in the world. Yet we have had topless women shoved in our face (no pun intended!) for years. Page 3, top shelf mags, topless sun bathing etc. I know which I'd prefere to see. 

Maybe the world is getting more prudish, haven't seen any of those things for years!

Can you not get girly mags anymore? I don't think the world is getting more prudish, far from it. 

zagfles

LippyDoodle said:

zagfles said:

LippyDoodle said:

I really don't get it when this happens because it's the most naturally thing in the world. Yet we have had topless women shoved in our face (no pun intended!) for years. Page 3, top shelf mags, topless sun bathing etc. I know which I'd prefere to see. 

Maybe the world is getting more prudish, haven't seen any of those things for years!

Can you not get girly mags anymore? I don't think the world is getting more prudish, far from it. 

Can't remember seeing them anywhere for years. Used to be on every newsagents top shelf. Maybe there's less demand with so much available online, or maybe newsagents don't want to offend the snowflakes. I guess breastfeeding is one of the few things left to offend the snowflakes! 

LippyDoodle

I don't think people are snowflakes if they get upset by seeing girly mags. I remember walking into the office of a scrap yard with my brother when I was in my early 20's. Instantly met by numerous centerfolds all over the wall and 6 men gorping at me as if they had never seen a woman before! It was a really uncomfortable experience. 

zagfles

LippyDoodle said:

I don't think people are snowflakes if they get upset by seeing girly mags. I remember walking into the office of a scrap yard with my brother when I was in my early 20's. Instantly met by numerous centerfolds all over the wall and 6 men gorping at me as if they had never seen a woman before! It was a really uncomfortable experience. 

Yes there was a lot of that...but AIRI there was never any nudity on the front covers, which is all you'd see in the newsagents unless you picked it up and flicked through it! 

Sorry gone a bit OT - but I do still wonder if there is increased reaction against breastfeeding in public because of increased prudishness, certainly didn't seem to exist 20 years ago. Stuff like topless sunbathing seems to have been more common then too.