If there is a non-smoking section, why isn't there a child free section?

Question

As a couple with no children I am very put off when I hear children screaming or see them running around while I'm trying to enjoy dinner. Children are children and that's fine in the children's section of McDonald's. The parents aren't to blame totally but their children's behavoir is their responsibility.

I wanted to clarify something, when I was a child we so much as raised our voice, moved from our chair, we were taken out before we even got to eat, child abuse, NO, teaching us how to behave YES! I like children and as far as McDonald's, have a ball that's what it's there for.

Answer 1

AMEN SISTER! I am with you on that one! If I ever open up my restaurant, that will be the first thing I designate. I wonder if that is something that'll catch on?

I have complained at restaurants before for irresponsible parents allowing their kids to run wild. When I was a kid, we were EXPECTED to behave. What happened?


OBVIOUSLY some people can't read...the asker didn't say anything about kids crying in a restaurant. READ IT AGAIN! Once again, the complaint is more-so about IRRESPONSIBLE PARENTS than it is about children.

Answer 2

I agree with you completely!

Children aren't considered to be a "physical" health hazard like smoking, so having a child-free section would be considered discrimination. In order to have a semi-peaceful meal away from home, I've started to specifically request to be seated where children aren't present.

Some parents today literally believe the saying "it takes a village to raise a child". Perhaps they allow their kids to run wild so others can do their job for them.

There are even parents who think it's adorable for their "little darlings" to put their grubby little paws in other people's food. "Awww, isn't little Johnny just too precocious?"....

There are also parents who are too inconsiderate and lazy to teach manners or correct the child's bad behavior because as long as it isn't disturbing their own meal, they don't care.

And then again, there are parents who "secretly" hope their child will get injured by falling, running into a fork, getting scalded by hot coffee and so on so they can sue the restaurant for being an unsafe establishment. These so-called parents are willing to risk their child's safety so they can cash in on the big bucks a lawsuit will bring and they'll never need to ever work again. Sick isn't it?

I'm straying off the subject so forgive me, but let me give an example of how litigious parents have become... Look at your local playground, notice how the equipment has rounded edges? How about plastic sliding boards? Remember playing on monkey bars and where did they all go? Nowadays if a kid falls off a swing (with a rubber seat!), there's a nice thick layer of shredded wood mulch or a rubber pad for them to land on. Heaven forbid if the kid gets a skinned knee because the city or town will be sued for a massive amount of money!

Confronting the parents of the "wild ones" isn't a good idea as personal injury will more than likely occur. Your best option would be to approach the manager of the restaurant and lodge a complaint. It's the manager's duty to ensure all patrons have a safe, pleasant dining experience. Losing business is the last thing it needs so if the manager gets huffy, a "nice letter" to the editor of the local paper should have excellent results.


*** Just for the record, as a child, I was taught manners and learned respect for others. I also passed along these values along to my children when they were growing up. Never once were my children thought of as being "raised by wolves" when they went out in public.


If children are allowed to do whatever they wish now, what can these parent expect when their kids are teenagers? Oh boy, if they can't get them under control now, just wait a few more years... They'll definitely reap what they sow!

Answer 3

I've read some of the answers and all the people who think your children are god's gift just don't "get it." I firmly believe the reason that there are so many morons in the world is because morons keep reproducing. It's about responsibility, teaching the children manners and giving the other people in the room the chance to enjoy there time together. I guess for all you enlightened parents who think your children can run around and bother the rest of us at a restaurant are fine with your children causing disruption at school everyday and taking away valuable time educating the other children because the fruit of your loins is just like you an ill-mannered boob.

Answer 4

There wouldn't be a point, you can still here them from ten thousand miles away and the words child free would probably attract them as children love to do what they are told they are not allowed to. Maybe if you had like a games room where you could shut the door, I thought that was the point of the outside playground at mcdonalds.

Answer 5

Amen! Yes, children will be children but there is a place and time to goof off and while you are out to eat is not a place to goof at.

However, I disagree with you that the parents are not totally to blame. Yes they are. If they had taught their children when and where it was time to goof off then you and I would be able to enjoy a meal in peace. The only exceptions I will make to my previous statement is in the case of infants (the parents should make every effort to quiet the infant) and children with mental disabilities.

If you are a parent who lets there children run about all willy-nilly in public places then perhaps you should take yourself and them back home until you both learn how to act in public.

I would also like to add a reponse to the previous answer about being a child yourself once. I was a child once as well and if I had even attempted to act like the children I see these days my parents would have been obliged to help me see the error of my ways. Also yes the children of today are our future so maybe you should take some responsibility with "our future" and teach them some social skills. I bet it will improve OUR future.

Answer 6

Because you were a child once you should learn to put up with it - everyone gets annoyed by crying children now and then, but it just can't be helped. If you don't want to interact with the life of the world then just don't go out for dinner. They're always bound to be around and just waiting to go off at any moment, but you've got to learn when to have patience.

However, if the kid keeps going off forever and the parent is doing nothing about it, then you have all the right in the world to get in a conflict with the parent. It's the parents fault, not the childs. And if you eat dinner at McDonalds you should be pretty damn sure there will never be a moments peace and therefore should not be complaining. It's not like its a dinner you can enjoy that much anyway. People go to McDonalds for value, not for a nice family meal.

Answer 7

I feel you are condemning all children in one fell swope. I grant you "most"parents let their children act like wild animals at feding time ,but some children that have been raised correctly can be a joy to watch and be around.
My parents taught us at home and prepared us to dine out by making sure we followed good manneres were well rested,clean and if we ever made a mess my parents picked it up and didnt leave it for the wait staft . I did the same with my daughter,she loved going out and at 4 had her first lobster at Demagios in San Francisco while on vacation. The waiter was so taken with her manners and "cuteness" he cracked the lobster for her as she ate it. . I beleive there are some eating places that are not ment to take small children And if they have no manners because the parents have neglected to teach them at home ,then I think there should be by all means a NO Bad Children ....area ....EVERYWHERE !!! Perhaps an added charge to the bill,(that is given to the poor server), that waits on people with loud,messy,bad mannered children..My bigest complaint is parents that let their kids get down and run around to bother other dinners while they finish their meal in peace. The servers are not baby sitters. You had the kids,you take charge of them.

Answer 8

I know there would be people that would gripe about discrimination, but people definitely have a right to eat in peace. I know I get annoyed by screaming children who don't want to sit still, or how about those ones who stand up in the booth and stare at you while you eat.
I agree, we were expected to behave or we couldn't go out and that was that. I know that if my kid ever acts up in a restaurant I will just leave, I would be embarrassed to be seen with an unruly child.

Answer 9

Oh Yes! If my second hand smoke bothers people with children half as much as their loud, obnoxious, snotty nosed kids, then I will not complain about not being able to smoke as long as they don't complain about leaving their unruly children at home. People who want an evening out should not be subjected to children who are not old enough to be properly behaved or are not disciplined enough to know the difference! Leave your kids at home or find a FAMILY oriented establishment to take them to.

Answer 10

I completely understand what you are saying, but the parents are TOTALLY to blame. Their children are exhibiting bad behavior, and obviously they do not know how to control them. If the kids can't be made to stop the screaming and the running around(due to the lack of parenting skills) then the family needs to pack it up and go home. Other people should not have to suffer, simply because of the parents stupidity, or laziness in training their children to behave appropriately. Unfortunately, people do not need license to have kids, or take parenting classes. So everyone must suffer.

Answer 11

You know, I have 3 children, but I still feel the same way. It seems like everytime I get a chance to go out and enjoy myself, they always sit me next to some screaming or crying kid. I could have stayed home if I wanted to be around all that.... LOL