Ever have kids at another table ruin your meal at a restaurant? Should kids be banned from restaurants?

Question

Ever have children at another table ruin your meal at a restaurant? Tell me the story? Should kids be banned from restaurants? Should kids be banned from certain restaurants? Would you eat at a restaurant that banned children?

Answer 1

I would hope that people wouldn't take their children to upscale restaurants. As to regular restuarants, it just seems expected that if I'm eating in a public place there is the possibility that children will be there, and yes, they may be loud, or giggly, or run about, especially if they're small.

No, I don't think children should be banned from restaurants flat out, though yes, perhaps at upscale restaurants.

If it's a problem, try asking to be moved to another table.

Answer 2

Do you have children? Don't sound like it. Although parents need to control their kids in public places, it is hard to contain children because they are rather impulsive and hyperactive. Parents should be able to instill some discipline in their kids (in an ideal world) although that is hard when your child is 2 years old.

Would it be right to say that only parents with perfect kids go to restaurants and all other parents with uncontrollable children stay home and never eat out until the kids turn 12?

I notice that children behave better when they are not eating with other children. For some reason, they seem to stimulate each other to do mischeivious things. My children (2 boys) for the most part behaves in restaurant but they have their moments as well.

Yes, some restaurants should not have children....like those reserve for couples who desire a very romantic and quiet atmosphere. Most restaurants however are family restaurants and they would not want to ban children from going because alot of their revenues will be lost since most families frequent their establishment and many parents find it hard to pay for or find a babysitter just to dine out.

If you live in a state that allows smoking indoors, pick the smoking section or sit at the bar, no children allowed in those areas.

p.s. I saw this couple who just ate and sorta watch their little boy while he was standing behind our table playing with whatever it was hanging by the restaurant door. Never once did they make him sit down to eat and it didn't seem like they were watching him either.

Answer 3

I am SO with you! This is why I didn't have human kids. Of course, if I DID, they would NOT do those things. Little brats! My parents would not let us misbehave like that! They need to teach those kids some manners! It's no wonder these kids are growing up with a disrespect for authority and more and more of them are not fitting in with society. Now, mind you, we must all be different and be our own person, but letting your kids run around is highly annoying. If a child doesn't know that something bad will happen when he does something bad, then as an adult, he will do something bad, just because that's what he was taught. Make Sense? If you don't teach your kids to be courteous of others, they won't be as adults either. Same goes for dogs. TEACH them how to behave and don't let them take over. "dog whisperer" on the national geographic channel. This dog psychology can be applied to humans in a different manner. THe "kids section" LOL! Here in Utah, it would be a "without kids" section and only my husband and I would be there, and my friend. There are a high concentration of Mormons here and they beleive they should have as many kids as they can. Also, all sections are non smoking section, which is fine by me! Goat Kids. Or any other non-human kids. At least I don't have to send them to college! I currently have 3 kitty kids, one 40 year old parrot kid, some walking stick bug kids and as soon as we can gather the money for the dog run, we are getting a doggie kid! The more kids the merrier!

Answer 4

There are many great family restaurants, but I feel some restaurants should ban children under the age of 12. There is nothing worse than going out for a nice romantic anniversary or birthday dinner and have it ruined by an unruly child. Why do children need to order high priced steaks or lobster, anyway? I have even seen children "belly up to the bar" in some restaurants. They should definately not be allowed in the bar area(21 and over).
There are many places to eat that cater to children, take them there and leave the high-end places for the grown-ups. With adulthood come priviledges and eating in peace should be one of them. We have 2 sons and when they were little, we NEVER took them to a high end restaurant. They didn't want to be there, anyway!!!

Answer 5

I don't think that would be the idea...
Maybe the ones who should be banned are the parents that are letting the kids bother other customers!

I have many times been to a restaurant and found kids behaving perfectly. I once even received a lesson on how to eat crab (and use that darn thingy to crack the legs) from a 10 year old! She was fantastic!

Many times there's some that just make you want to run away, but I always think more about the parents than the kids themselves... you know what I mean?

Answer 6

Yes sometimes it happens, especially kids that run around and screech and cry. But I don't even think they should be banned from restaurants, parents have rights too and need to eat as well as their kids. A good idea though might be to have "family sections" especially in those restaurants who don't have bars or smoking sections. A lot of parents don't think their children are behaving poorly, maybe if they were seated closer to other families they'd see first hand that this happens. A lot say "Oh no not MY kids!"

Answer 7

I have told people to control their kids. Its rude to let your children run around and make a lot of noise when others are trying to eat. I have two children and I do not allow them to act up at restaurants even if its fast food. Parents who allow that should be asked to leave. I think children should be banned from the bar area in restaurants that is adult area.

Answer 8

I think that only family restaurants should allow children. Business owners have full discretion as to who they want to serve. There was a restaurant in the news recently that took some heat for their policy to not serve children. If a party walks in the door with a child, they are turned away. It isn't illegal, but he did get blasted in the media. He shoudn't have, it's his business and he can set the rules.

Kids don't need to eat at Red Lobster, the Olive Garden or Texas Roadhouse - those and similar places are for adults. How many two year olds are are really eating Risotto or 20 oz. T-Bone steaks?

There are plenty of restaurants that bill themselves as family restaurants, so there's no shortage of places to take children. When I'm having a fine meal and enjoying a nice Cabernet Sauvignon with my wife, I don't want to hear crying children.

Answer 9

A lot of people have. When that happens I'll ask the waiter to move me to another table and explain the reason why.

I have kids, or should I say had, and when we took them to an upscale restaurant they were quite the little ladies. They knew how to act. In fact, we even took them to the Playboy Club in WI. The bunnies made a big fuss over them but even there they behaved and were enjoyable. Some parents aren't that lucky and they should get a baby sitter and leave them at home until they learn how to act.

Answer 10

Children should not be banned from average restaurants. Upscale restuarants yes.

The problem is not unruly children it is parents who do not discipline their children. I have a 2 and a 4 year old and u would never hear them acting up in a public place