Dining out with your kids & at the next table folks are loud & using vulgarities. How do you handle it?

Question

Do you: ask them to stop, ask the host to ask them to stop, explain to your kids in an overly-loud voice that those words are not allowed and hope you shame the potty-mouthed into stopping?

Answer 1

I would ask the host to ask them to stop in mutual respect towards kids around them. This can help you to avoid any possible confrontation because some people do take it the wrong way somehow.

Answer 2

you ask them to stop nicely, by explaining why in a logical manner.  they will probably get upset, and then you have to decide whether you should leave.

Answer 3

Don't tell your kids that the words are not allowed because your children will want to use them even more. Tell you host or waiter the problem. They should deal with it and either send them to a different area or tell them to quiet down.

Answer 4

Speak to a manager. Do it discreetly and politely --he/she probably doesn't like the vulgarities any more than you do, and it's not his/her fault that a customer is behaving inappropriately.

If your children seem oblivious to what's going on, then I don't see any reason to point it out to them. If they've definitely noticed or are even repeating what they're hearing, then go right ahead and discuss it with them. There are times and places in life when they're going to be faced with "potty mouths." Use this as a learning experience. Point out how inconsiderate and tactless the language these people are using is to fellow diners. I see no reason to do it in a loud voice. The point is to communicate with your children and set a good example, not to "shame the potty-mouthed."

Answer 5

First shoot them a dirty look or two (this usually does the trick) If this doesn't work ask them to stop because you don't allow that kind of language around your children.

Answer 6

Stand up and tell them to shut the f*** up, then politely tell your kids not to repeat what you said.

Answer 7

Before you go to a restaurant, let your kids know that if they engage in any vulgar acts, they will be grounded.

Simple as that. Use your parental power.

Answer 8

Tell the waiter to ask them to leave or you'll leave without paying.

Answer 9

ask the waitress for a new table

Answer 10

Ask them polietely not to use such language around children. If they do not listen, ask the waitress to move tables, or tell the manager (chef, waiter, etc.) about the problem. Later explain to your children that such language is wrong and if they ever used it they would be punished.

Answer 11

you need to get over it.  :)  they're probably not that loud you're just too close.  people shouldn't censor their conversations just because people bring their whiney screaming crying kids out.  seriously those "vulgar" people are probably just as annoyed by you.

Answer 12

Complain to the manager loud enough so the table can hear you as well as other diners around you.  Don't call attention to the language by bringing it up to your children unless they use the language as well.

Answer 13

(1) First, let's be realistic here, you have no right to control the freedom the public has to behave as they please when dining out. Educating your kids is YOUR responsibility not the public's because you chose to have them not them.

(2) If it bothers you that much just simply move tables. Everyone eating out is paying for the service of being waited on and the food not for a "sheltered" dining experience for YOUR children.

(3) I am certain there are persons out there that find children sitting in the next table a nuisance(the parents & kids  nagging, kids not sitting still, kids being nosy with the next table, tantrums, etc.) when they are just trying to have good time out with friends, their partner or even adult family.

(4) I have decades experience with children and the number one problem with kids is parents lack of ability to *discipline* them. If you hear your kids saying curse words, because it WILL occur at some point in time, the first instant it occurs you have to communicate with them why that behavior is unacceptable from them and you must follow with some form of negative reinforcement/punishment so it won't become continuous.

Answer 14

My advice is to deal with it or you should move your table.  Personally, it would be much worse for me to sit next to a table full of children than people using naughty words so it's all about perspective.  

And here is some advice for anyone reading this...people please do not bring your small children to the sushi bar.  Wait until you have a babysitter to go because guests do not want to sit by your offspring even if you think they are well behaved.