Universal Orlando apologizes for breast feeding encounter

And why is it so hard to just use some discretion, eh?

Unlike the intro to this news story, the woman was not asked to stop breast feeding. She was simply asked to cover up. I really don't see how that's a big deal. She wasn't kicked out, she wasn't told to stop, she wasn't told to breast feed in the bathroom or behind a fence. She was asked to cover up. WTF? Why is that so bad?
*** This post was edited by halltd 11/2/2007 11:44:03 PM ***

She was asked to cover up or threatened to leave the park. The park apologized because they knew they screwed up.

Are you that offended by a breast? I have seen overweight guys with breasts. Are you offended on a beach when you see an overweight guy with no shirt on and breasts hanging down? Should they be escorted off the beach?

Wow, Eric... not the post I'd expect from you. This is Universal Studios we're talking about here, not a five-star restaurant.

Tim, on the other hand, no surprise there. Seriously, what is so offensive about breast feeding? Why is it all men here who seem to have a problem with it?

What were you saying in another thread about personal jabs, huh? Nice to see you lead by example.

When you go to a beach, you expect to see shirtless guys, girls in tiny bathing suits, overweight people that should probably have more on than they do, etc... You don't expect to see topless chicks unless you're at a topless beach.

When you go to a theme park, you do not expect to see the same type things. Are you allowed to walk around Universal without a shirt? Nope. Are you allowed to walk around Universal in a bathing suit? Nope. Why do you think this is? Because it is offensive to some people.

I have no problem with the woman breast feeding. But, why is it that hard to cover up? I've seen plenty of people voluntarily cover up when they are breast feeding because they respect the people around them.
*** This post was edited by halltd 11/3/2007 12:15:48 AM ***

I would hope you don't have a problem with a woman breastfeeding in general. It's a natural thing.

It's not hard for her to cover up, but at the same time she shouldn't have to if she chooses not to. If people like yourself don't like it, just walk away from it. A park is huge so you don't have to be subjected to it.

There's a LOT of things that are natural that you don't want to see while walking around a theme park. There's plenty of things you do in the bathroom that are natural. Why can't I just do that on a bench in the park? Nothin' wrong with that. It's natural, right? Sex is natural. Why don't we just do that in the middle of the park?

You are going to compare feeding a child with going to the restroom and having sex?

Different strokes I guess.

There's lots of natural things people do in the park as well...like eating. Babies eat too.

Comparing a baby being fed to taking a crap on a bench or bumping uglies in the middle of the park? Sigh.

Shouldn't this woman be buying formula from the park? Isn't there an official breast pump partner? No licensed character baby bottles? This kind of activity is harmful to parks' bottom lines. It is a business you know.

RGB.

Not sure if you were being sarcastic or serious so I hold a response to it at this time. :)

Chitown, every thread needs to mention a park's business decisions. But you would even think talk about an "official breast pump partner" could be serious? (But if Shapiro announces one for SF next year, remember you read it here first.)

Nah, you just charge to use the 'family center' ;)

Don't make it more complicated than it need be, RGB.

I wonder how good the ROI is on allowing breastfeeding these days....

Jeff, I don't really have an issue with breast feeding. I was more amused with the thread and I'm all for topless beaches. In general, I just think that you need to consider the environment and then based on that be considerate of others who might take offense. Think of others before yourself.

At the table of a fine restaurant - inappropriate. At a theme park - use some discretion and try to find a semi-private spot. At a mommy and me group - hang it all out. Just because the law says you can doesn't mean you should be inconsiderate of others.

RGB.

This is a coaster enthusiast site, and from the years I have been here, anything can be serious to someone no matter how ridiculous it is.

WTF. It is a mother breastfeeding her child. I don't get the issue. WHY on earth ANYONE would take offense to something like that obviously has their own issues......BIG TIME!

WHY on earth would anyone be staring anyway? Talk about repressed, let along ignorant. She's breastfeeding her kid, not running down the midway naked.

I just don't get WHY people would have an issue with it.

-Tina

*** This post was edited by coasterqueenTRN 11/3/2007 5:05:29 AM ***

^ Maybe because subconsciously they are sexually repressed? Maybe growing up, their mommies told them over, and over, how dirty sex was? Maybe they just don't want to take the time to explain to their children what that women is doing? Maybe they're jealous that the women who breast feed in public are more emotionally secure than themselves?

If women had the babies and men had to breastfeed them, you'd see it happening on every corner. :)

-Tambo

But it's not even something sexual.

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In general, I just think that you need to consider the environment and then based on that be considerate of others who might take offense.

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Considerate of what? Why should you have to be "discrete" for something that's as common, natural and normal as breast feeding? To hell with everyone else in that case. I would never, ever make that concession. Your opinion presumes that some people would be justified in taking offense to this, and that's what I have an issue with. They aren't justified, they just have their head up their ass (in my arrogant opinion).

Jeff, those who would take offense are as justified to be in their position as those who are pushing for it. Advocates for things would get a lot more accomplished if they wouldn't flaunt it and instead use some discretion.

For discussion sake I asked my girlfriend (Robin) her opinion. She is completely opposed to public breast feeding. She only thinks its appropriate if you're completely covered with a blanket. She thinks it is a private, not public matter. It wasn't exactly the response I expected, but then maybe that is why I'm not for it since hot chicks don't put themselves on display. I have to call this one quits, since I'm going to get in trouble for my comments.

Guys,This is a business, the Asian and Easter visitors do not like it, even in the Western visitors have no or little problem. The issue of the Christian far right groups and the influence that they have on what parks do is a little mentioned topic (Disney removing certain characters, Busch Garden changing theming).The issue of Breast feeding is a simple one, the policy at the park is keep it covered, but on this occasion park staff acted VERY badly, using wrong words (actually touched the woman), so that had to be apologized for. Of course the park has a policy on guest behavior, but wanted to down play the incident.Keep in mind guy's park marketing is PR for park, and not very factual. All the best,
*** This post was edited by editor 11/3/2007 1:09:57 PM ***