If you are trying to eat a meal with your family in a fast food restaurant and there is another couple with?

Question

children eating as well, but say those kids are being loud, rude, and plain uncivilized and thier parents don't seam to be bothered by it, nor do they try and control thier kids, is it up to the restaurant staff to talk to the parents, or can other customers speak up?

What would you do if you were part of that family trying to eat peacefully?

What would you do, if you were an employee and saw kids behaving badly?

Answer 1

You are welcome to speak up in any public place - but you do so at your own peril. Rude & rowdy children tend to come from rude & rowdy parents. And I have never met a parent who responds favorably when their parenting is criticized. Also, the standards for childrens' behavior at most fast food restaurants is much lower than many other public places - especially those that have play areas and other child oriented facilities. A fast food restaurant is not the best choice for a quiet family dinner.

In most cases, I will ignore unruly children unless they are having a direct affect on me & my family or harming other people & property. I usually just roll my eyes and use the situation for a valuable lesson for my own children on how not to act in public.

Answer 2

I don't care where I go to eat, I expect that when people are out in public, they will act civilized, and that includes children. I'm not saying everyone should be quiet at places like B/K or McDonald's but the rules about courtesy and respect are not suspended just because the meal only cost $5.00.

It is absolutely the responsibility of parents to mind their children, and to teach them what's proper and what isn't when out in public. A child kicking the back of my chair is crossing a boundary and I have no problem turning around and asking that child to stop. If we're talking about overly noisy kids who are running around and being a nuisance, chances are you are not the only one dining there who is aggravated by the behavior.

But it can be embarrassing to a parent to have anyone point out that their children are a problem. When it happens in a very public place, it's downright humiliating. So what's the answer? Everyone involved has the right to have their meal in the restaurant of their choice.

Regardless of where I was dining it would be most appropriate to ask the management what their policy is for dealing with patrons who are disturbing other patrons. Give them a chance to deal with the situation on their own (and you can be 100% certain that McDonald's Management teams are trained to deal with this in a quiet fashion .. they don't want to alienate any of their customers).

If the situation is not resolved (parents don't control the kids, or the management doesn't relocate the problem family), then you have to decide whether to stay or leave. If you leave, let the management know in no uncertain terms that you regret having spent your money in their location because this falls under the category of Poor Service, and you won't be back.

If you stay and plan to say something to the parents, be prepared for a quick MYOB. But even if the parents do nothing while you're there, you can be sure they'll get the message that their kids are disruptive. Whether they do something about it is something else altogether.

Answer 3

As an employee, I would certainly talk to the parents of the offending children and let them know that they need to control there children. When at McDonald's there is a play area and an eating area, other fast food restaurants, don't have that. I would advise the parents that they need to control their children or leave. It is simple, you go out to eat, to enjoy the company of your family without having the hassle of cooking, not to be annoyed by someone elses ill behaved children. If the staff at the restaurant hasn't done anything, I would advise the customer to complain to the staff and see if that gets the staff moving. Management is more willing to satisfy the guest that has a valid complaint, such as unruly children. But if no one complains, they may see no reason to disturb the parents of the offending children.

Answer 4

In a fast food restaurant all you can reasonably do is give the kids a hard stare when you catch their eye. Tackling the parents is likely to get you a mouthful of abuse, and the restaurant staff aren't paid enough to tackle people who just have no manners.

In a proper, waiter/waitress service restaurant, then it would be in order to ask the Manager (via your waiter if necessary) to have a quiet word, but in any half way decent place they will do that without having to be asked.

Answer 5

Alright, I am going to explain this as a mother and a previous day care worker, and just a normal person. It is the responsibility of each parent to teach their children how they prefer them to behave in public, as well as privately. You did not go to eat in a nice five star restaurant, or even somewhere where people normally expect to sit and eat fairly peacefully, such as a "sit-down restaurant" (i.e. Ruby Tuesday's, O'Charley's, Applebee's). You went to a fast food establishment, a place that builds attached play grounds to give children a place to run wild, scream and yell, and just, in general, be kids. This is not a setting where you can always expect peace and quiet, and therefore you shouldn't get upset when it's a bit noisy and rather frantic. If you're that concerned, go through the drive-through, get your dinner, and go home, where YOU set the rules. Otherwise, learn to live in this world with other people whose values and morals may not always be the same as your own.

Answer 6

Parents need to be responsible for their children's behaviours. When my brother and I were children, we went out to restaurants, REAL sit-down restaurants, a couple of times a month. We were taught what it is to to sit, be patient, and wait. Parents, please don't just take your kids to fast food restaurants because they won't behave otherwise: one, it's not good for their bodies, but two, how are they going to learn the appropriate behaviours if they aren't put in the correct setting? Take them to a restaurant with actual menus, have them sit, and bring things for them to do. Quite often, children run around and yell because they are BORED. Bring colouring books for them, keep them occupied. In time, they will learn what is expected of them, and act accordingly.

As a restaurant patron, I've found the icy glare works really well. I work with kids every day, I know it's hard. BUT you're the ones who decided to bring these children into the world, take responsibility for what's yours. I don't speak to parents in restaurants, I have no desire to be pulled into an argument. Often just a "look" is enough. Sorry, but everyone in the restaurant deserves to enjoy a nice dinner - without your child crawling under my table!

Best Regards,
Holly

Answer 7

The key word in your complaint is "fast food." If you are at Dennys, Del Taco or someplace like that, most likely no one will speak to unruly kids. You can give them the "eye." I've done that many times. Now, if you are "fine dining" and someone has unruly children, it is entirely appropriate to mention it to the waiter and expect the family to be moved or quiet down. Most people do not take their children to "fine dining," but some do, so play it safe and when being seated, if you see a potential problem, ask the waiter or host to seat you elsewhere. I have a sis-in-law who lets her 3 children get up and run around - finally my husband started speaking up - my vote is "Don't take the kids!" It is annoying! :)

Answer 8

I would not go back unless I saw management take action. I would not say anything to the people in question either, which is weird for me because let's say at Wal-Mart or some less formal setting, I would definitely speak up! :)

Answer 9

We have spoken to the parents and were told to mind our own darn business. I think its up to the restaurant manager to set the standard by asking unruly patrons to either behave or leave.

Answer 10

I would continue to enjoy my family, eat my meal and let management know what I experience on the way out. I would also advice management with a suggestions.