I don't like to be seated near families with children in restaurants, am I wrong?

Question

To ask to be seated at a different table or to ask to be moved to a different table. I like children but so many of them are so undisiplined I can't stand the noise and disord while I am hoping to enjoy a pleasant meal.

Answer 1

No I completely agree with you and have seen people in restaurants request not to be seated by a bunch of kids.

Answer 2

I completely agree with you. When being seated, I've straight up asked to be moved to a different table when I see we're being put next to or near little kids. Infants are one thing, they can't help the crying and almost always stop immediately when their need is met. However, whiny little kids are awful.

We were at a nice, high end sushi place one afternoon for a late lunch and there was a mom, grandma and two kids maybe 6 and 4. The kids were running around, climbing over the backs of the booth seats, throwing food, and the adults did NOTHING! Neither did the restaurant. It was absolutely horrifying. I tried to put it out of my mind, but it was my luck to be facing them, only two booths away. We happened to finish before they did and as we left, I said, out loud, "what a f**king circus!" I realize this was very rude, but they completely ruined a $100 lunch.

Answer 3

No, nothing is wrong with that. I have a child (8 y/o daughter), and I don't like sitting near families with unruly children in restaurants...I have seen too many kids out in public places going wild, with no parental attention or correction of the kids' actions. Who wants to be around a group of screaming, crying, or otherwise bratty children?

There is nothing wrong with you wanting to enjoy a quiet meal...you are a paying customer as well. As long as you politely ask to be re-seated, then nobody should have a problem with it. If you are uncomfortable asking to be re-seated, try to find times to eat out when kids are less likely to be present or eat at the bar (if they have one).

Answer 4

I've asked for it myself. I don't like sitting in a booth having a small child in the next booth playing peek-a-boo with me. I've seen a couple eating at the bar of a restaurant - with their BABY sitting ON the bar. I've been hit with flying cracker crumbs. Parents today can be selfish about their children. I understand you can't always afford a babysitter, but they can obviously afford a $50 meal out - spending at least $20 on meals their kids pick at and don't finish. That $20 would cover a sitter, I think.

Answer 5

While I do have children myself, you are perfectly within your right to not have to sit near a family with children, as you are a paying patron and should be able to enjoy your experience without being annoyed.

Albeit, I raised my kids to behave in such a place to where they are no trouble at all and get complimented on how well they do behave. But unfortunately, many parents do not raise their kids in a manner to understand that if they are in certain places, they are to behave a certain way.

Kids are gonna be kids, but there is a time and place for that, and a restaurant is not one of them.

Again, I am a parent, but totally understand your point.

Answer 6

I agree completely...I can't see why unruly undisciplined children should be allowed to spoil someone's meal. The parents think they're cute and, ahhh, shame.... you shouldn't tell them off, they're only children.
You wouldn't take a dog that wasn't house trained to stay with friends, why take kids who don't know how to behave to restaurants?

Blondilo...Yes I used to be a child once but my parents taught me how to behave in public. A dirty look was enough to tell me that I was doing wrong and that I could expect a smack if i carried on. Today's parents prefer the 'naughty step'...'Mummy doesn't like your behaviour' type discipline which evidently does NOT work otherwise we wouldn't be getting questions and answers like this.

Answer 7

You are paying good money to an establishment for their services, you are NOT getting this for free. The best way to avoid unpleasantness it requesting your Maitre"D to not accommodate children near you. Some children are well behaved in restaurants but unfortunately this is not the norm. Parent should teach their children AT HOME how to behave so when taken out in public they are not a nuisance to others. Be polite but firm, tip well if you can.

Answer 8

You are perfectly in your rights to request seating away from families with children. When we go out (even with our children) we ask to be seated away from the families that look like they are going to be trouble...as a parent you can see it coming. LOL
My kids are very well mannered, but some kids are terrors...and their parents just let them run wild so they can eat their dinner in peace, meanwhile everyone else in the restaurant is inconvenienced.

Answer 9

I make it very clear when I enter the restaurant that I do not want to be seated near children under ten. For some odd reason, there are parents who think their screaming children are cute. And then there are the ones that are allowed to run around the restaurant. Isnt that fun.

Answer 10

I am not above asking not to be seated next to children for the reasons you speak about. When I was raising my daughter, by the time she was three, she knew that she had to stay in her seat, talk softly and watch her table manners.

Answer 11

I'd love it restaurants had a seperate dining rooms for parties with and without children. I used to live in a community where no minors were admitted to any business that sold or served alcohol. That meant that if I went to a burger place that served beer, every one there would be 21 or older. I miss this system.