My husband won't take me to the Olive Garden because he thinks its not kid friendly and that we would be annoying other people. However, I see many families go there to eat. What is your view?
2007-08-24 07:02:35 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Olive Garden's not bad. They usually cover the table in butcher paper and give the kids crayons to scribble with. It's probably one of the better choices for starting to teach your child how to behave in a restaurant -- people generally don't plan weeks or months in advance for a special trip to Olive Garden.
However, there may not be a whole lot on the menu that would appeal to an 18-month old. I'd give it a shot. A couple of things to remember, though:
1.) Have a couple of special "restaurant toys" for your child to play with -- preferrably something he or she can't drop under the table and that have no pieces that can come off or get lost.
2.) Order the child's food as soon as you can, and ask the waitress to bring it during the salad course or as soon as possible -- long periods of waiting are a Bad Idea with toddlers in a restaurant.
3.) Don't let the child get up and walk around, or you'll never get her to sit back down.
4.) Plan on eating in shifts -- it may not work out that way, but it's best to go into the situation with your expectations lowered just a bit.
Good luck to you all!
2007-08-24 07:09:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
It's Olive Garden! It's not the frickin Maison Chateu!
As long as the kid doesn't start running around the other tables or making that banshee shriek, take the young'un!
Your husband appears to have never been at an Olive Garden in his entire life.
2007-08-25 10:27:09 · answer #2 · answered by Bucky 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As everyone already mentioned, Olive Garden is Family friendly. Here some general advise on taking young children to restaurants. It's hard to expect them to behave well in a restaurant if they are used to going wild at home. It helps if you have family meals at home on a regular basis where they are used to sitting at the table with you and learn appropriate behavior and some table manners. Children learn by imitating, so if you generally have a calm and well organized family meal they should be able to show the same behavior while away from home.
2007-08-24 08:04:07 · answer #3 · answered by Sabine M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why not, the kid has to eat too. I don't think Olive Garden is any high end restaurant that doesn't allow kids. I agree with you, many families go there and no one will even care unless your kid is misbehaving or crying their head off.
2007-08-24 07:37:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think if the baby is a good child and doesnt cry or whine thru the meal then take the baby, but if the baby decides that they want to pitch a fit then u will have to leave the resturant and the meal u were going to get as it is rude to try and pacify a child while others are trying to enjoy a kid free nite out. my husband and i havent seen olive garden in 3 yrs since our son did his tantrum fit we do mickey d's or bk. now when the boys are off to grandmas for the nite we somtimes get a meal out but not often. u decide whats best and see if u can get a babysitter so u can enjoy your meal in peace.
2007-08-24 07:13:44 · answer #5 · answered by THE UK WILDCAT FAMILY 10 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't see why not. We've been taking our kids there since they were born. They are ages 2 and 4 now. Our 4 yr old tends to like to get up and walk around so we just make sure to watch for signs of boredom and break out the colorwonder markers & paper.
2007-08-24 08:03:56 · answer #6 · answered by cathy_cmr 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
olive garden is ok to take kids my sisters are 6 and 9 and i take them there all the time.
2007-08-24 08:37:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Olive Garden's slogan is ,"When You're Here, You're Family."
It is a nice restaurant, yes, but it is a FAMILY restaurant. I think it would be perfectly acceptable, but if you are concerned, then by all means, try it at lunch time first....
2007-08-24 07:13:18 · answer #8 · answered by silver_squirrel2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your young toddler is not distractive to other customers it is perfectly fine. If your toddler becomes distractive just take him/her outside. Olive garden has many more handicap parking spaces than the average restaurant. It may actually be the old folks that your husband finds distracting.
2007-08-24 07:35:03 · answer #9 · answered by ReefLobster 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's fine, as long as when the kid starts crying and acting up, you pick it up and make it stop, or take it outside.
Far be it from me to tell you you can't take a child out and about with you, but common courtesy would seem to require you to make sure the kid is not a nuisance.
2007-08-24 07:21:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋