Pampola Bull Run

[sheddy]

My 18yr old son has announced that he will be going to Spain with his mates this year to take part.
Now, short of confiscating his passport, how can I persuade him not to ?

 

[yello]

It's HUGELY popular, thousands upon thousands of people go. It's full of p*ssed up Aussies and Kiwis on 'the OE' (overseas experience). It's massively over-crowded, dirty, noisy and can be dangerous - broken glass all over the place, muggings, fights, etc etc. There are always many alcohol related injuries, some serious, after gone wrong high jinx - statue diving for instance.

The bull run (encierro) itself is also way too crowded. You're more at risk of being injured in a stampede of scared people than of being gored! Some that run with the bulls (mostly steer actually) are invariably the same pissed up folk you've been avoiding during the night... but they're now sleepless into the bargain. A recipe for injury imho.

I stopped going 20+ years ago because it was getting that there were too many people!

In all seriousness, if your lad cannot handle crowds then he shouldn't go. It really is very very popular.

 

[got-to-get-fit]

Let him go .....its a life experience. Something to reflect on and tell his kids .....assuming he makes it to later life of course after running with a hundred head of prime beef.

 

[cookiemonster]

Let him go.

I done it when I was 19 and it is still one of the most amazing days of my life.

However, I will recommend that he gets a bit of running training in and when he does the run, run fairly close to the barriers so he can make a quick escape if needed.

Believe me, these bulls can shift it.

 

[Mr Pig]

Let him go .....its a life experience.

I agree. I'd want him to go.

 

[yello]

As a matter of interest, why do you not want him to go to Pamplona sheddy?

I can see why an 18 year old would love it.

 

[tyred]

Definitly let him go. I wish I'd been more adventurous and did interesting things when I was younger.

 

[gavintc]

Stop being boring Dad. It is why he wants to do this. If you were less overly-protective he probably would not have desired to go. He is 18 and wants to demonstrate that he does not like being treated like a child.

 

[papercorn2000]

Yeah, let him regret the things he has done instead of the things he hasn't done.

 

[User169]

The Pamplona Bull Run is about as original and diverting as spending a week getting pissed in Magaluf - which at least doesn't (typically) involve traumatising livestock. Can't he think of anything more interesting?

 

[bonj2]

It's HUGELY popular, thousands upon thousands of people go. It's full of p*ssed up Aussies and Kiwis on 'the OE' (overseas experience). It's massively over-crowded, dirty, noisy and can be dangerous - broken glass all over the place, muggings, fights, etc etc. There are always many alcohol related injuries, some serious, after gone wrong high jinx - statue diving for instance.

sounds like an absolute nightmare.

My 18yr old son has announced that he will be going to Spain with his mates this year to take part.
Now, short of confiscating his passport, how can I persuade him not to ?

appeal to his sympathy - i.e. make him feel he's contributing to the cruelty to the bull?

 

[yello]

sounds like an absolute nightmare.

That bit is. But it can be avoided.

The bands, the processions, just being there can be great fun. Unless you're seriously enochlophobic (afraid of crowds) of course. In which case, it would be a nightmare!

 

[Over The Hill]

Hamster did it on Top Gear. Basically it seemed to be you hide in a doorway (or behind a big bloke) when the bulls run past.

With your concerned parent hat on i can see you would not want him to go and you should put the case for not going but if he is sure then let him go. It would drive you apart if he was keen to go and you stopped him.

 

[got-to-get-fit]

do it with him .....you big fraidy cat yellow belly

 

[Aperitif]

Go to Bunol and La Tomatina instead - that seems more fun although he might end up bolognaked! Kind to animals too - only contains humans.