Kids and restaurants

OK, so what's your take on children in "nicer" restaurants (I mean not Chili's ,Applebees, etc)

Honest answers!!!

Re: Kids and restaurants

I think it is fine as long as they are not totally acting out (screaming, running around, etc)

I would expect that their parents would rectify the situation if they started acting out, JMHO

Re: Kids and restaurants

Posted by stephanief

I think it is fine as long as they are not totally acting out (screaming, running around, etc)

I would expect that their parents would rectify the situation if they started acting out, JMHO

Re: Kids and restaurants

This was a topic topic awhile back!

Depends on the child. If they can behave, I have no problem with them. I know the limits my kids have, and for now, we stick with Friday's, Chili's and Friendly's OR we get a babysitter and enjoy our own night out eating.

Message edited 7/21/2007 1:27:59 PM.

Re: Kids and restaurants

I have 2 little boys. I don't take them to 'nicer' places because my kids do NOT have enough self restraint to behave for the requisite hour and a half to two hours.

My older son is six and he is just beginning to behave a bit better - but I still would hesitate to take him to a 'nice' place because if I am going out to dinner at a really good place I will want to enjoy it. And no matter how well behaved my child is, having him there would be a distraction to me.

Having said that I can HONESTLY say that I don't have a problem with other people bringing their kids wherever they choose. I have seen kids screaming blue bloody murder in very upscale places and - maybe because I have children- it doesn't effect me too much. I just feel awful for the parents who are usually visibly embarrassed. As long as I don't have to chase them or pick them up or make sure they eat - they can be there!

Re: Kids and restaurants

I do not mind children at fancy restaurants, as long as they are behaving. I cannot take it when parents are screaming or yelling SSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH to their noisy kids!

I know when we go to Friendlys for sandwiches, to expect kids to be there & we do not mind the yelling and screaming then, but when we go to enjoy a nice dinner out, we want it to be a nice dinner out w/ no screaming kids.

Re: Kids and restaurants

OK, well let me expand on the story.
Yesterday was my 11 year old neices birthday. She picked her favorite restaurant to have the family birthday dinner at. It's a "nicer" place. So of course I was there with Cassidy, who was well behaved, but talking alittle loud (NOT yelling)...but she's 2!!!!

This woman at the restaurant made the biggest deal. Shooting looks, and talking much louder than Cassidy was about her behavior. I was so pi$$ed.

I understand that people want to go out and enjoy a nice dinner, but they cannot control every circumstance. My child was not screaming or running around, and I think to a point there's got to be some tolerance. Maybe I'm wrong, but it just really annoyed me.

Re: Kids and restaurants

Re: Kids and restaurants

I would have told her to shut up and act her age, not that of a two year old.

Re: Kids and restaurants

Re: Kids and restaurants

I would never turn down an invite to a great meal no matter where it was. I believe in promoting good behavior no matter where we are. If he is getting out of hand, I step away with him. If Cassidy was talking and being social, no harm done.

The lady should lighten up.

Re: Kids and restaurants

If the kids behave, then I wouldn't notice them... and therefore wouldn't mind at all.

If they misbehave and their parents cannot rectify the situation, then I find it really annoying.

Re: Kids and restaurants

Posted by stephanief

Posted by Scotty-CassidysMom

OK, well let me expand on the story.
Yesterday was my 11 year old neices birthday. She picked her favorite restaurant to have the family birthday dinner at. It's a "nicer" place. So of course I was there with Cassidy, who was well behaved, but talking alittle loud (NOT yelling)...but she's 2!!!!

This woman at the restaurant made the biggest deal. Shooting looks, and talking much louder than Cassidy was about her behavior. I was so pi$$ed.

I understand that people want to go out and enjoy a nice dinner, but they cannot control every circumstance. My child was not screaming or running around, and I think to a point there's got to be some tolerance. Maybe I'm wrong, but it just really annoyed me.

That lady was an idiot plain and simple...your child was not misbehaving from your story, that lady was just RUDE

Re: Kids and restaurants

Posted by stephanief

I think it is fine as long as they are not totally acting out (screaming, running around, etc)

I would expect that their parents would rectify the situation if they started acting out, JMHO

Re: Kids and restaurants

Posted by stephanief

I think it is fine as long as they are not totally acting out (screaming, running around, etc)

I would expect that their parents would rectify the situation if they started acting out, JMHO

Re: Kids and restaurants

It depends! If I am paying over $100 for a meal, I don't want to be annoyed by a kid at the next table crying or being too loud. It is a lot of money, and most people expect to have a nice quite dinner at the nicer restaurants. I would say people go to a more expensive restaurant for a reason. (No Kids). I am just being honest!

Also, you have to remember, people who may not have kids or have older children, may not have sympathy for a parent with a young child. ALot of people have no tolerance for children.

In your case, it was a party, and I understand you wanting to go. I think this is a different situation.

Message edited 7/21/2007 5:50:04 PM.

Re: Kids and restaurants

Re: Kids and restaurants

Now, things have changed a lot since when I was little but... When I was little we had to act right at all times. When we were at a nice restaurant we BEHAVED or else we got "the look" and that meant that we would soon be KILLED if we acted up.

Unfortunately, I guess things are a little different-- either way, kids should not be allowed in nice restaurants-- or any restaurant for that matter-- unless they are behaving correctly... This is up to the discretion of the parent but all too often so many parents allow such atrocious behavior.

Re: Kids and restaurants

even if we were in Friendlys my parents would make me behave - i dont thinki it matters if its a "nicer" restaurant or not.

Re: Kids and restaurants

Re: Kids and restaurants

I think its great. I went out to a gastro-pub for lunch today and it was full of kids, they all played together and it was lovely! I really love seeing kids in restaurants, even fancy ones!

Re: Kids and restaurants

I dont mind kids at restuarants as long as they are happy and not disturbing anyone.

All I know is that if my siblings and I ever misbehaved when we were out with my parents at a restaurant, we'd never go to one again and it wouldn't matter if it was a taco stand.

If we misbehaved in another type of public place, my mother would ignore us, but say out loud "This is not my child because no child of mine would behave that way."

She was quite the hard-a$$ and we rarely misbehaved in public.

Message edited 7/22/2007 1:53:03 PM.

Re: Kids and restaurants

Re: Kids and restaurants

I don't mind it...people should be able to take their kids where ever they want what I do mind is some parents let their kids run around without supervision. Just because you are in a restaurant doesn't mean that they shouldn't be supervised...that really makes me annoyed!

Re: Kids and restaurants

Posted by stephanief

I think it is fine as long as they are not totally acting out (screaming, running around, etc)

I would expect that their parents would rectify the situation if they started acting out, JMHO