General Chat

Some holiday observations: The parents we have observed eating or drinking at night without their children present have, sadly, been from the UK. So it is happening and has been happening for some time. What isn’t publicly observed, however, (because they’re not around in the bar or the dining room) are the parents who are NOT doing it, those staying with their children. I’m sure this second group is the great majority. BUT people base their opinions on what they see, rather than what they don’t see. i.e – there are 10 UK couples in the bar without their children. There may be 90 other UK couples in the same hotel, but in their rooms with their children. They don’t get taken into consideration as part of the equation, because the observer can’t see them and doesn’t actually know where they are – they could well be in their room, but they could also be leaving their children alone, having nipped up the road to a different bar. And so, the sweeping generalisations get made. Jay

Well,I have said it before,and I will say it again.. The kid's should not have been left alone. I hope Madaleine is safe and well. Play with fire...you get burnt. Marion

sorry but there not gonna tar me with there brush.

If the remark about that's how we do things in Britain is verbatim it is disgraceful. Going to check on the news services to verify. Update: link to transcript http://www6(.)lexisnexis(.)com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=574&topicId=100007216&docId=l:645517749&start=9 Doesn't state on this the above but same stance taken as before Sue

not a cultural thing i know people that use that resort and the baby sitting service is ment to be excellent

Thnx Kris, if you go through to the Bulletin they have a link to e-mail, I just have. I let them know they outrage people with there comments on this highly sensitive case, the eyes of the world not just Britain are following this case. British culture does not include any kind of child negligence we do not leave our children alone,IT IS NOT THE NORM.....

Muffy - i have just read it !..and my heart goes out to his family. The police there have learnt nothing about looking after their own children..and still havent changed things 8yrs later...Joanie

I donated too Kris. Sadly if you google for info about Rui Pedro some of the information is so gut wrenching it's very difficult to read. I pray that boys ordeal is over soon. I also hope for positive news on Madeleine ASAPxx

i think this comment 'After all, they say, that's the way they do things in Britain.' is a generalislation just like we think all french women are hariy, all germans nick all th sun beds, all amerians are fat and loud and the british are beer swilling...........some of those nationalities will be like that but not all of them.

Muffy, I too have seen that site - the dignity of that boy's mother is so humbling. I have donated - something that I have never been inclined to do with 'McCann Enterprises'

RUBBISH !!!! and it's certainly not the norm in Scotland either Norah

A heartbreaking website: http://www*ruipedro*net/english_version/index.php?rub=4 This little lad has been missing since 1998 and his parents have set up a wonderful website for him. With no funds whatsoever. If you click on Disappearance Circumstances on the right it tells you the tragic tale of this child. What struck me is that despite being monumentally let down by the authorities - these parents are displaying details of other missing kids. Madeleine included. It really touched my heart xx

Was that an actual quote from the Mcanns, or was it taken out of context?

Mr OH I make no apologies for getting 'Het Up' that man has no right to lecture any parent on child welfare

What a load of insensitive bs from this so called journalist..It is not the norm anywhere...

Rhis is scary, I have English born close rellies in the US and they like me would not consider it the way to do things, Hope the US see we wouldnt all act like that,If you have money, you pay for child care, end off, Caz xxx

I do feel sorry for the McCann's, they have to live with whats happened to their lovely daughter...But i think they did wrong in leaving their children, then all those people with children at that table were in the wrong they all did it !!! I was reading in paper that Portugese police are trying to hide their incompitence...my view....by putting 3 of the McCann's friends / witnesses ? ( they were drinking sitting at that table ) in a room with their main suspect R.M....of course they r going to say he is a liar....might well be....but find that a smoke screen and no help to Maddy.... I would NEVER take my grandchildren to Portugal, not because they are less safe there lovely place been there 3 times....but Police are no use at all if anything happens....Joanie

How on earth can Mr McCann set himself up as some sort of ambassador of child welfare when he and his wife left their toddlers the way they did??

and not me

The McCanns DO NOT speak for me. That is not the way I or anyone in my acquaintance does things.xx