Did anyone catch the segment this morning on the Today Show, ‘More Adults say ‘Yes’ to ‘No Kids Allowed’? Parents of young children beware – you may not be welcome at your favorite restaurant from now on. I can definitely understand the frustration, screaming toddlers can put a damper on anyone’s date night. But is it fair? Should children be banned from restaurants, theaters and first class?
As the mother of a 14 month-old, I honestly feel drawn to both sides of the argument. Take for example, our last trip to Oscar’s, our favorite local Mexican restaurant. It’s not a swanky place by any means, but the food is amazing. Typically packed with kids, last Friday night was no exception.
We are doing our best to teach C how to use an ‘indoor voice’ when out in public, but at her age I don’t think that concept has sunk in just yet. Despite our best efforts, she’s still discovering her voice, along with the cause and effect of dropping utensils and thumping a sippy cup on the table. We know she can sometimes get a little loud, so we obviously try to avoid places where her high-pitched squeals might not be welcome.
Last Friday night, as we sat finishing our meal, C started to get a little squirmy. After one of her cries for attention I heard an older man yell ‘shut up!’ from two tables down. Excuse me?
The polite and mannered person in me wanted to pick up my child and run out of the restaurant in embarrassment. Maybe post a public letter of apology in the local newspaper? On the other hand, the mama in me was ready to walk over, pour salsa on his hot-tempered head and teach him a lesson for using that kind of language around a baby! What in the world? I’m not excusing my child, but I’ve seen other toddlers do much worse, and this was nothing compared to that. Ugh.
I’m not sure. I would hate to be sequestered in our house for the first few years of my child’s life, but what to do? Now, a six year ban? That might be a little excessive. This should definitely serve as a wake up call to parents. If we don’t teach our children better manners, we probably deserve the ban. But should all kids suffer under it, even if they don’t fit the mold of a tiny, two year old tyrant?
– Ana, Mama Moderne
Wouldn’t that be age discrimination? Hopefully all parents will teach their children manners at home. I thought the suggestions at the end of the news video were good. But I’ve noticed in restaurants that many times, families with children will eat out earlier. So if people are hard-core against sharing a restaurant with kids, try going out later.
Sounds like that guy was the one who needed to learn some manners! My goodness. I’m not in favor of a ban, sounds so strict.. but I do think some parents need to be more respectful of others. Then again…those are typically the people who don’t care and need to be told or else they don’t change. It’s a tough call.
I’m shocked and offended on your behalf by that curmudgeon’s behavior, but I must say I understand, and even appreciate, the idea of children and adult areas. Though I love my nephew, he’s three and poor at remaining both still and suitably quiet for the long periods necessary in nicer restaurants or movies, and his parents don’t take him to them! I think making certain days or times for adults would make most sense, as our ability to schedule is far greater, but the greatest problem is from parents. Why would you take your 4 year old to the 9 o’clock movie, Melting Pot, or some place similarly designed FOR adults in mind but not specifically anti-child?! I work in a theater, and I see it all the time. Or parents who fail to wrangle children or refuse to give up THEIR night out because li’l Becky is, reasonably enough, tired and cranky at 10pm and doesn’t want to see Scream 4, anyway. Further,(all of my sisters were servers) MOST chain restaurants like TGI Fridays, Chilis, or Olive Garden can’t even ask the parents to try and quiet the child or remove them; it simply isn’t allowed as they’re damaging THAT CUSTOMER’S experience and the upset couple is more likely to return than an offended family, so they just furiously apologize and hope you don’t blame them for their bosses’ decisions. I think the bans are a realistic move for private businesses that catered to adults anyway and public ones who are capable of balancing the two groups.