Damn that's nasty! Please tell me you lowered yourself to spazing on them?

I was on deadline and speechless for a moment (Quite frankly, I couldn't afford the energy to get into it with them). In my case, speechlessness rarely happens, trust me. Ask Lena, who watched me march over and bitchslap a guy on Saturday afternoon using the line about taking a dump on the floor, among others. That guy's a "mass communications" prof someplace around here. Lucky for him, he was smart enough not to tell me. I'd had quite enough of his mass communications.

I love puns.

I have seen people change a diaper at a cafe table where they just ate. Don't ask me. On the other hand, I've seen people do it on the subway, as well, and not just in North America.

I agree, it sounds (and I'm sure was) disgusting. But this is something (since I've had 3 babies) that I can almost understand. Changing diapers becomes so matter of fact that you can forget how gross it is. And sometimes you don't know what's in the "package" until you open it up. And then it's too late... You deftly wipe wrap toss and re-diaper as fast as you can cause you never know if junior is done. And what if you happen to know that the little butt is totally chapped and it needs to be cleaned NOW or there's risk of infection and there is nowhere to go? But personally, I would have taken the kid to the car....

Well I've done it on an airplane seat without apology because there's really not much choice. But it never occurred to me to do it in a cafe.

There is *never* any appropriate time to use a food table as a changing table (ask anyone at the Board of Health). There is a reason why the phrase "Don't sh*t where you eat!" was coined. One would think it would be common sense (apparently not). And since when did it become socially acceptable for someone to change a baby just anywhere they want because "it becomes so matter of fact that you can forget how gross it is..."?? What is *gross* in this case is the lack of concern for other people in the area, not to mention the health issues involved (can you say ECOLI? It's deadly to children). If you have a baby, you have to plan *ahead of time* where you want to change them, what they'll need as far as sustenance, etc. Either that, or just stay home. Oh, I'm sorry, is that too inconvenient for you?

And before anyone goes off on me, back in the day, I was a nanny. I *always* thought about the impact she would have on other people and the effect that her crying and/or dirty diapers would have on her own psyche; if the baby was crying, I took her out of the situation and took care of her needs. If she needed changing, I took her to the bathroom, or to the car and changed her. I *never* changed her in public. Why? Because I *cared* about other people and, by the way, HER (the baby's) PRIVACY. On an airplane seat? With all that stale recirculating air? It shows blatant disregard for the health and well-being of everyone on the plane. What if someone is prone to air sickness and the smell pushes them over the edge? Why wouldn't one use the changing table in the lav? A flight attendant (my best friend is one) would be more than happy to direct you to the appropriate place for baby care.

And PS, if people care so much for their children, why are they bringing them to places that do not accommodate them?

It's *not* rocket science.

Even Dodger Stadium has changing tables.

Might I say to you Goddyss, that I NEVER changed my babies' diapers in a public place. I think this whole topic is a case where instead of becoming enraged, those with a more objective perspective could serve to educate. If something is a public health hazard, then certainly the public has a right to make a stink... But wait, I'm saying this about a society that allows Hummers on the road....

Good point re: Hummers, Diana -

Re: educating - I usually say nothing at all in situations such as this, I merely make a quick exit and never patronize the establishment again - after all, if the management of the place won't rectify the problem, I don't want to eat there anyway. My post above was how I feel, indeed, but I don't usually take it upon myself to try to tell people such as these referenced in Amy's blog what to do. I just take myself elsewhere.

I saw a bum take a dump on the steps of Solomon Brothers at the corner of Water and Wall Streets, while I was out on a lunch hour stroll back in the 1980s. It was so strange, I thought I must have been hallucinating from the mid-August heat. He just nonchalantly dropped his drawers as execs were buzzing in and out of the building, stuck his butt out, and plop, there it was, a big turd. A few hours later the Dow plummeted.

>enough of his mass communications
>public has a right to make a stink
>won't rectify the problem

I do love these little plays on words.

It irks me enough when I have to hear some coworker talking about her baby's shitting habits (or her retard baby for that matter, but that's another discussion) that I really don't know what I'd do if some stranger changed a shit-covered diaper in public. I'd probably try to subtly make him/her spill it on his/herself.

Fuck offices. I need to get back behind a bar where there are no such things as babies and any alleged rash is well known to be cured by pennicillin(sp) and subsequently forgotten.

>Well I've done it on an airplane seat without apology because there's really not much choice.

Take another look at an aircraft shit-house next time you get a chance, Cathy. There's a fold-down changing table.

>

HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Right on, Ted...