Mom stands with her 5-year-old son in arms in front of seated hockey fans, blocking the game from view: 'I said, “Excuse me, can you please sit down?” And was met with a look of disgust and bewilderment.'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Jun 19, 2025 8:00 PM EDT

If there's one thing I hate, it's mezzanine leaners. If you are seated in the less-than-ideal mezzanine of a theater or an arena, it is best practice not to lean forward so you can get a better view of the action. If you do so, you will block the view of the people sitting behind you, which will encourage them to lean forward and do the same thing to the people behind them. Best practice is to sit up straight and get the best view possible with the cheap seats you purchased. Depending on the stage show/ball game you're watching, you're probably not going to be unable to view the action for the entire time. If nobody is sitting directly behind you, you're free to lean to your heart's content. It's unlikely an usher will stop you from being a mezzanine leaner, but that doesn't mean it's acceptable to do so. 

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  • 01

    “He’s just trying to enjoy the game!” Well, so are we…

    My friends and I went to a hockey game this evening and were sitting behind a family with 4 kids. Mom was standing up holding the youngest, about 4-5 yo, in her arms when the play began.
    via u/hhhhhhd5

  • The mom in this story did a lot worse than just “mezzanine leaning.” She stood up during the middle of a hockey play, insisting that it was the only way her young son would be able to enjoy the game. Of course, she huffed and puffed when someone had the guts to call her out.

  • 02
    4CKA 解 РОСНЕФТЬ KHL ЦСКА согаз Say KHLUKHRU шнаг CSKA.HOCKEY Haier
    via Klim Musalimov

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 03
    I said "Excuse me, can you please sit down?" And was met with a look of disgust and bewilderment "He's just trying to enjoy the game!" (talking about her son).
    via u/hhhhhhd5
  • 04
    Lady, what?? I never said anything about your kid, and there is no reason he can't enjoy the game from his seat or even your lap. I don't care about him, I don't care what he does, I just want to be able to see.
    via u/hhhhhhd5
  • 05
    So I told her, "We can't see." "Well you could stand up" "Then the people behind us couldn't see"
    via u/hhhhhhd5
  • 06
    4 Reebok INDWIST Reebok
    via Seth Hoffman

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 07
    She scoffed and turned back around, but then I guess maybe realized what a psycho she was being, and sat down a few moments later. Her son didn't care.
    via u/hhhhhhd5
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10519118336
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 09
    There was not a single other person in the stadium of 8,500+ standing. It's a known rule you need to stay seated. I asked politely. Some people.
    via u/hhhhhhd5
  • 10
    Agreeable_Box491 This is one of my pet peeves! Why can't people stay seated when it impacts those behind them...glad you asked her to sit down
    via u/Agreeable_Box491
  • 11
    hhhhhhd5 OP Same, and honestly I would not normally have asked as politely as I did. I feel like it's common knowledge/ common courtesy and I have 0 tolerance for r de dumba es. I've been trying to work on not letting these kinds of people get me so worked up though. Her response was a real test for me lol
    via u/hhhhhhd5
  • 12
    Agreeable_Box491 Haha I'm too socially awkward to ask and don't get up because I don't want the people behind me to suffer. Maybe I will speak up in the future though
    via u/Agreeable_Box491
  • 13
    hhhhhhd5 OP Definitely speak up! If it's a hockey game or similar where the expectation/ rule is to say seated, then people need to stay seated (obvious exceptions for like, the superfan section at a soccer game where everyone stands). The staff will actually help you enforce the rules if the person says no.
    via u/hhhhhhd5
  • 14
    T_Sealgair For anyone who's never been to a hockey game, they are very serious about this. Serious enough that the ushers for each staircase close the staircase between sections when the puck is in play. They stand in the middle at the top with a sign stating the staircase is closed. If there's a penalty or break in play, they stand aside and let people use the stairs. Then close it again as soon as play resumes. You do not stand during hockey games.
    via u/T_Sealgair
  • 15
    sapotts61 If you need to stand with your baby, you go to to the rear of the venue. You didn't stand up in front of other people who spent good money to be able to watch the freaking game!
    via u/sapotts61
  • 16
    adogand2cats hockey rules: sit the puck down, shut the puck up, keep your eye on the puck
    via u/adogand2cats
  • 17
    ArtPaintLegend Add one more to the rulebook: Don't be a puckin' obstruction. The rest of us are trying to watch, not play peekaboo with your spine.
    via u/ArtPaintLegend
  • 18
    Good_Resolution_2642 Same rule should apply with your phone. Don't block the view for others with your phone.
    via u/Good_Resolution_2642
  • 19
    getfuckedhoayoucunts As a short my entire life I had to learn how to move through a crowd like water and I always end up at the front. HI I've even had big dudes pick me up and deposit me when they see how short I am. It's a skill and this child needs to learn it.
    via u/getfuckedhoayoucunts
  • 20
    Odd-Outcome450 Having a participation trophy sure makes some people think they should be given more leeway.
    via u/Odd-Outcome450
  • 21
    Cynically_Sane "HEY YOU DOWN IN FRONT!"
    via u/Cynically_Sane
  • 22
    surnamefirstname99 As the saying goes.. "I went to see the fights and suddenly a hockey game broke out " ..
    via u/surnamefirstname99
  • 23
    verirh01 My wife is about 4' 10" tall and we always seem to get seats behind some clowns who can't sit still for 5 minutes, constantly up and down, side to side. It really is annoying. Good for you speaking up.
    via u/verirh01
  • 24
    BayAreaPupMom My husband had to inform me also to not lean forward the whole time in your seat during sporting events because that also blocks the view of those behind you? I'm a "leaner," apparently...
    via u/BayAreaPupMom
  • 25
    Ok-Repair613 Depending on how high the "glass" is, she could be endangering her child.
    via u/Ok-Repair613

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game entitled parents sports kids mother hockey entitled parent entitled family entitled audience mom pro sports son children entitled people standing
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