No matter what kind of place I go to, there's kids who just carry on and run around and the parents are completely unconcerned. I expect this at Chuck E. Cheese, but not at a nicer place, or even the average "chain" like Chilis or Applebees. Even an upscale place invariably has undisciplined spawn running and screaming and carrying on. What happened to disciplining your kids and having respect for other people who are dining?
2007-03-18 13:43:44 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I don't want to hear it's "kids being kids". How about parents being parents and enforcing discipline. Drawing a line and sticking to it.
They are Family Restaurants, not family playgrounds. One or two unruly monsters should not be allowed to annoy 50 other diners.
When I grew up (not that long ago), we were taught to sit at the table and behave. We had to ask if we wanted to get up, and it had to be for a good reason. There was no carrying on, no complaining, no raising voices. You say, ate, and BEHAVED. You conversed and BEHAVED.
And my parents would not hesitate to drag our asses out in a flash if we acted up ANYWHERE.
To those who rue the bygone days of parents being parents and disciplining their kids, I pick all your answers as best.
For thos who links they're "just being kids", when they become out of control teens who you can't reel in, is say "Ha hahahha!". And don't be surprised if your child suddenly "trips" as they run screaming past MY table.
2007-03-18 16:39:32 · update #1
because the child rules over the parent. this happens EVERYWHERE! it drives me nuts! if a child is really out of control complain to your waiter/waitress and if they don't do anything about it complain to the person in charge. esp. if you're at a really nice restaurant. you're paying extra money to enjoy the ambiance, not kids running amok.
if any of my boys got out of line when we were out in public they weren't allowed to come along with me the next 3 times i went out, be it the laundry mat, supermarket, or to mickey dees. it only took 2 times for them to stay at home and they behaved themselves. no screaming, no fussing, no running around and no temper tantrums. (although my youngest one did pull that cute stunt on me in a dept. store once, and only once.)
if these little ones act like that now can you imagine what they will be like in a few more years???
and then the parents wonder why--
2007-03-18 13:57:35 · answer #1 · answered by polgara922 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Oh, I agree, it's so annoying! I know kids will be kids but that doesn't mean they should be allowed to run around where the parents aren't even looking at what they're doing! My parents took me to nice restaurants when I was pretty young but they kept me at the table and we took some small toys along, a little picture book or something I could draw on or color, or stuff like that. Only time I got loud was once at a Chinese place when the wait was very long my parents later told me I started to bang my plate with my spoon and yelled 'Chinese man, Chinese man!'... but my parents quickly stopped me and they said it *was* a very very long wait even for adults, well over half an hour before we got anything.
2007-03-18 23:09:12 · answer #2 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Either the parents don't care or don't "feel like they can" effectively discipline their kids.
I waited tables for years and what's worse than the kids acting up is when the parents yell, nag, beg, dish up ultimatums that they don't follow thru on--that's just annoying.
One friend of mine dined out in a large group with a mutual friend who happened to be a single parent at the time and had also gone to some evangelical or whatever they call it child rearing seminar and had the "spanking thing" which was some specialized piece of rubber designed specifically for spanking. Oh, and you had to "qualify" to purchase one of these things. My friend reported the mutual friend to have taken her 3 year old out with the rubberized object time and time again for minor infractions that did not seem to improve with each episode with the spanker. Go figure. We laughed for days about that one.
2007-03-19 14:46:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because for some parents, it's easier to let their children run around misbehaving than it is to discipline them. I've worked in restaurants for 8 years, I've gone out to eat with and without children and this is the only conclusion I can come up with. I don't have any kids, but if I ever do, it's McDonald's until they're old enough to behave.
2007-03-18 16:07:42 · answer #4 · answered by Klo 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow. lots of distinctive opininons in this yet I agree how demanding this is generally. as quickly as we've been young little ones my mom and father never took us out to everywhere yet "youngster-friendly" places. i might surely ask the supervisor (in a noisy yet non-confrontational way) that i might like yet another table because of the fact my meal is being disturbed. I even have the undesirable success that youngsters are in many circumstances seated close to me suited after my foodstuff has been served yet you gotta do what you gotta do to get some peace and quiet. i come across that an incredible stiff drink additionally helps me to care somewhat much less!
2016-10-19 00:53:45 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These people think their children are so adorable that we should be charmed by them too. If anyone would complain some of these people would be shocked and offended that not everyone thought that it was cute their kids were running around talking to everyone and screaming. I mean, as long as the kids have fun...........
Apparently these people don't realize or don't care that if they do not have control over their four year then they certainly won't have control when the child is 14.
2007-03-18 13:57:34 · answer #6 · answered by Patti C 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
I understand where you are coming from, but most of the places you are describing are family oriented restaurants, and it is to be expected. As for the upscale restaurants, if they allow children, you have to expect that children will be there. But for comment on how they behave, times have changed and I do believe parents have gotten very lazy on controlling their children. Unless you plan on approaching the parent politely and asking them to control their child, there is nothing you can do about it. Please remember children will be children don't blame them for their parents lack of discipline.
2007-03-18 14:06:11 · answer #7 · answered by Jan 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I honestly think many parents today are more interested in being their children's friend than their parent. It's unfortunate for the kids, because the lack of discipline will hurt them in the adult world. Someone who thinks they're "entitled" to everything doesn't make a great adult.
2007-03-18 14:16:28 · answer #8 · answered by Cracea 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The child protective services happened and nobody came up with a better way, than the old fashioned one.
2007-03-18 13:47:03 · answer #9 · answered by dude 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Although it has yet to irk me to the point you are at, I tend to agree, kids need their asses spanked. My mom did it to me when I deserved it, and did it ONLY when necessary. I tend to try reason at times, but sometimes a kid is being a little sh*t, and needs disicipline.
2007-03-18 14:34:52 · answer #10 · answered by paul86192006 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋