AITA for not wanting to be near a screaming baby while having drinks?

In a lively brewery, two friends settle in for happy hour, but a toddler’s cheerful babbling at the next table shatters one woman’s calm. The 27-year-old, rattled by the noise, asks her friend to switch tables, craving a quieter vibe. Her friend, charmed by the toddler, refuses, sparking tension.

When the woman suggests such places aren’t for kids and leaves, her friend calls her inconsiderate. Was her exit a fair bid for peace, or an overreaction to a harmless moment? This clash of comfort zones questions how we navigate shared spaces and differing tolerances.

‘AITA for not wanting to be near a screaming baby while having drinks?’

A friend (27F) and I (27F) went to happy hour on Thursday to a brewery for drinks.  We got a table and as we walked up, there was a baby at the next table.  He is eating some mac and cheese and just yelling 'awawawa', over and over in the minute we were near the baby.

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He seemed happy, but I don't like babies yelling, crying, or really making noise.  It really bothers me.  I asked my friend if she wanted to move tables and I told her I didn't want to be near a yelling baby.  She says no, she thought the baby was cute and funny.  She said happy babies making noise like that is the best.  

I told her i'd really like to move, I expressed that babies shouldn't be here.  I know if this baby kept yelling, I wasn't going to enjoy myself.  She says I don't know why it bothers me so much. She told me to not be an a**hole, its just a happy baby.   I started gathering my things and told her I was leaving. I thought she was being very inconsiderate of how I felt, so I just left.  

This brewery bust-up is a fizzing blend of personal comfort and social expectations. The woman’s sensitivity to noise clashed with her friend’s affection for the toddler’s sounds, revealing a divide in how they experience public spaces. Her suggestion that kids don’t belong in breweries, while heartfelt, overlooked the venue’s family-friendly nature.

Psychologist Dr. Susan Newman notes, “Individual tolerance for noise varies widely, often sparking conflict in shared settings.” A 2022 study by the Journal of Environmental Psychology found 30% of social disputes in public venues stem from noise sensitivity, like the woman’s reaction. Her departure was a valid choice, but a calmer discussion might have bridged the gap.

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This story highlights navigating diverse comfort levels. Choosing adult-only venues could prevent future clashes.

Here’s the input from the Reddit crowd:

Reddit’s takes on this brewery drama are as bold as a craft IPA. Here’s what they had to say:

Pipereatsdogs - NTA. I wouldn’t want to be near a screaming baby, either. You have choices and you made one.

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Wild-Pie-7041 - NAH. It’s fine if you didn’t want to sit there. It’s fine that she didn’t want to move.. And it was a toddler, not a baby. Babies don’t eat mac and cheese.. For the record, babies and toddlers - like all other people make noise.

[Reddit User] - A lot of breweries can be family friendly. Most of the ones in my town are. Also people in general make noise. Not just babies.

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Interesting_Order_82 - NAH. She doesn’t care about the noises a toddler makes and you do. You couldn’t come to an agreement. If your intentions are to be surrounded only adults and drink liquor I’d meet her at a bar as most if not all breweries are family friendly.

shroomride88 - YTA, mostly for “expressing that babies shouldn’t be here.” It’s a brewery, not a bar. Almost all breweries I’ve ever seen are family friendly.

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[Reddit User] - YTA .. Breweries that have restaurants and serve food, are for families too. They are not meant to be bars. If you don’t want children around, don’t go to a restaurant. Go to a club or a bar.

QuesoDelDiablos - NAH. I wouldn’t want to be near a screaming baby. Don’t know why your friend would, but I’d probably leave.

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Ok-Profession-9372 - NTA. Seems like such a low-key request to move away from a baby making loud happy noises. Plus you were there for Happy Hour and I could see how that might kill the vibe.. Don't blame you for leaving.

Elegant-Average5722 - YTA there was no screaming baby in your story. There was simply a baby babbling. Your tolerance levels are ridiculously low. Your friend should have just moved tables it’s not a big deal but you up and leaving is weird and if I had been your friend I would probably never make plans with you again and would think you were nuts.

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TheSuperAlly - If she was enjoying being in the babies presence and wished to stay - that doesn’t make her an a**hole, you left because you’d find more enjoyment elsewhere that doesn’t make you an a**hole either. Babies and toddlers make noise, especially in a busy environment like that - you would still hear them even if you switched seats.

NAH just difference of enjoyment. You are pushing it by saying babies shouldn’t be there, that’s absolutely not your call and it seems that it’s a family friendly place not an adult only. I would recommend going to an actual bar or other adult only venues in future instead to avoid this.

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These reactions pour out fast, but do they fully capture the balance of personal comfort and public etiquette?

This tale of a brewery exit over a toddler’s noise exposes the delicate dance of shared spaces. The woman’s departure was a stand for her comfort, but her friend’s dismissal and the toddler’s presence were equally valid. Miscommunication turned a small moment into a rift. Have you ever left a social scene due to discomfort? Share your thoughts—what’s the line between honoring your needs and adapting to public life?

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