Fruit Machine Chat

I was playing out a natural 4-3-2 reverse ascending ding ring sting in a local licenced betting office (LBO). I was sitting on the terminal nearest the door, which is on a bit of a spring.

A man walked in to look at the racing sheets. Then I heard a young chiled crying.


Then this irate woman opens the door and says "Thanks for trapping my three year old daughter's hands in the door."

"Who me?" said the man, which seemed a bit silly as it blatantly wasn't me or the bloke behind the counter, but I suppose he didn't have much time to think up a suitable comeback.

"Yes you!" she said before huffily retreating.


So let's have a discussion. What do you think?


a) The man should be more careful and realise that a closing door on a spring could trap a nearby curious child's fingers.

b) The woman should be keeping a better look out for her daughter and not letting her wander into/near LBO doorways.

c) Too hard to say, depends on several factors which haven't been described.

Hard choice between B and C.
Can't really blame the guy, how many people check what kind of hinge/spring/handle is on every door they walk through?

b, definitely. Kids are confused by being abandoned by their parents and will follow them.

as the parent you've no right to expect somebody else to look out for your child. You might be a tad pissed off at the bloke for not being alert enough but the buck stops with you for allowing your toddle anywhere near the door in the 1st place, especially a bookies.

D. Sounds like she's needin a right good pump.

i have told my two and a half year old daughter to be extra careful when entering/exiting the bookies on a saturday morning to put my lucky 15 on for me,thanks to george for bringing these dangerous springy doors to my attention. to be honest i was more concerned with her negotiating the level crossing on the way .

a+b

But i would say, most of the blame lies with the mother!

As for the man, he's only at fault, for not being aware that a child is behind him!!

I tend to blame the government.