Eating out with kids....?

Question

I love to go to eat. My kids are 9 and 2. So sometimes we get a little loud, but I don't allow them to cry or yell... but our conversations are somewhat animated... I have noticed that alot of patrons do not like to eat near children. My thoughts are this: If you prefer to dine at restaurants that don't have many/any children you should be going to a very upscale establishment, but when you frequent middle class restaurants, you should expect families to also be present. I definitely agree that to hear a child crying or being absurdly loud can ruin a meal. My children aren't perfect but usually behave wonderfully. But my problem isn't with those who don't like the screaming/throwing fits... it is with those who cast dirty looks the moment I am seated... or the waitstaff who choose to ignore me for 10 minutes before taking my order, and then don't pay any attention. I order each of us a meal and tip great... what are your thoughts??

Answer 1

Wow, I know exactly what you mean. And you are absolutely correct.. you can't compare kids to cigarette smoke!! One can give you cancer for starters... Anyway... I just suggest ignoring them. It sounds to me like you are saying that as you walk into the restaurant you are getting dirty looks before your kids even have a chance to do anything. Just keep doing what you are doing and you may change how a few of those people perceive children. They need to realize that not all kids are going to ruin their dinner. I always feel really bad for the parent who is embarrassed b/c their kids are trippin and they can't get them to stop. And as for the ones without kids... they can always request to be moved. Children are our future and they should be valued and esteemed. There is an age where a child should know what is acceptable in a restaurant, but everybody has a bad day. Remember the last loud drunk you sat near?? It's not just kids that can ruin the outing!! LOL :)

Answer 2

Do you mind if people smoke around you and your kids and blow the smoke into your faces? Why? If they can afford to buy the cigarettes then why shouldn't you have to endure their smoke? If you don't like it, then go somewhere that is isolated from this.

Your reasoning sounds like this. People shouldn't have to go somewhere more expensive just to get away from you and your kids. They are paying for their meal and service, too, but unlike you they aren't bringing something more along with them, like your disruptiveness. You are the one introducing an uncomfortable situation, not they. And like the smoker, since you are the one intruding upon others, then you should be the one to either stop or go elsewhere.

EDIT: You are taking my analogy too far to mean something that it didn't. The point of it was made in my last paragraph. No matter how you believe your kids are behaving and what little angels you think they are, the fact of the matter is that they are creating an atmosphere that others are being made to deal with, not the other way around. Like most parents, you are of the belief that others should have to endure so that you can do the things you wish with your children in tow, simply because you decided to have kids and to bring them along. These other people aren't intruding upon you, you are intruding upon them, yet you wish them to make concessions on your behalf instead of the other way around.You don't seem to get this point because you hide behind the fact that these are "just little kids and kids will be kids", as if that justifies it. And don't call me rude for making this point, especially when you asked for our thoughts.

Additionally, like many parents, you seem to feel that if you tip more than adequately then you have basically bought the right to have your kids with you in an establishment even if it means a disruption to other patrons. This shows an inconsideration on your part for those people. As I stated before, they are paying to be there themselves, and you tipping the staff doesn't alleviate those patrons of having to deal with your children or in any way compensate them. I consider this elitist attitude of yours in this matter to be the rude one.

Answer 3

Kids will be kids and if the next person doesn't like then they have the choice to stay are leave.As long as your kids are not running around and disrespecting people then they will get over it.

Answer 4

You went to a bad eating place ! I would call and complain on the lousy service, in the future you should try another place

Answer 5

Yes, I think you need to change restaurants!  I had the same thing happen to me when my boys were little.  The patrons would actually smile and talk to my boys, but the wait staff could be awful!

They don't deserve your business, nor your tip!

Answer 6

As a parent of three boys ages 13, 10, and 6, I have had my share of nasty looks while dining out. Most recently, one of my boys got sick in the middle of Chili's.   I can certainly understand that it was an nasty side effect to most of the patrons and felt extremely embarrased and so did my son.   However, on a regular basis you have as much right to dine out with your children provided that they are not acting completely "out of control".   It is a great learning experience for children to learn to be considerate of others and to learn manners.   There are just some folks that will complain regardless of where they are and no matter how well behaved your children are.

Answer 7

All I can say is this. I work retail.  One day, a child (around 5 years old) wondered away from mom, about 70 feet, and climbed up onto a display piece where he easily could have fallen and brought the entire display down on top of him.  A coworker stopped him, picked him up and put him on the floor, and told him he should not climb there.

His mother then began to lecture US, the entire staff, that we are never to touch or speak to her children.  She's the mother and she disciplines her children, not us.

Answer 8

you sound like you have a beautiful family!!

don't let any s****. people make you feel inferior.

yeah you have kids what they gonna do abt it?

you can't help their stares and it sounds like your children are well behaved. so just go out to eat and have fun!!

Answer 9

I am a server as well as a mother of a 9 and 6 year old.  I have been a server for 14 years and it is my experience that those people sitting around you when you go out to eat probably have less manners than your kids!!  It amazes me how grown adults act in public!! And those same adults have NO idea what a good tip is!!! So be proud of your kids and glare right back at em!!  By the way I enjoy waiting on children and I always make an extra effort to keep the kids busy because I KNOW how hard it is to eat out with kids!!

Answer 10

well they dont know how to handle or properly aqquiant costumers the wey they should !!!

Answer 11

i agree with you it's one thing to have a load screaming child and a child that is just talking or mumbling or cooing.  That's expected they are just children.

Answer 12

ya know i would love to say that its all in your head but unfortunately, its not. ive been a waitress for almost 8 years and every waitress will agree that there are two reasons we are secretly wishing another server would have to wait on the table with kids: 1.the floor. your kids could be ten months or ten years old but whenever kids eat, a ton of food ends up on the floor. and it is not fun picking up things that most likely hsve already entered ones mouth before it hit the floor. 2. tips increase when the bill is of a larger amount. and kid meals are cheap and do not help much to inrease the bill total. i am not trying to be rude i apoligize if i come off too blunt. i have a 16 month old daughter so as a new mom (who eats out alot) i am suddenly on the opposite end of this complaint. its funny though because when dining out i find myself picking things up off the floor that my daughter dropped even though that is what waitresses and bussboys get paid and tipped to do. its just sort of funny being on both ends.

Answer 13

I think it might just be frustration. I know that sometimes kids do get on my nerves. I try to tell myself they are only kids, sometimes they will get loud sometimes. If someone does not have kids of their own, they don't understand that kids will be kids. Just ignore them and try to have a great dinner otherwise.

Answer 14

I don't know where you're from but in the south thats outragous. Kids make noise, you might get a dirty look if you have a kid shouting profanitiys or calling the lady in the next booth fat(might get a laugh for that actually), but  its part of the food scene. I have been a black tie even server and caterer and this still happens. There is a time and place for such things though, a romantic-ish place even if its of a lower class (longhorn steakhouse, olive garden on a weekend night, ect) might be a bit rude, but everyone should be treated equally and have no reason to not have a good time (well maybe not the fluffy madam in the other booth but im sure she'll manage)