Do you OBJECT to Babies/children in restaurants???

[Miss Golden]

Restaurants shouldn't let kids disturb other diners

By MARC GRAUER
Published on: 07/25/05

Perhaps there is a misconception in Atlanta as to what a "family-friendly" restaurant truly means.

After a less than enjoyable evening at a restaurant in Virginia-Highland, I felt compelled to comment.

We planned a nice quiet Tuesday evening to celebrate our 20th anniversary. As we live in-town, we decided to visit a casual restaurant with some charm that we have enjoyed in the past. We wanted to be outside on a nice summer evening. Other diners, including some with small children, continued to fill the patio over the next hour.

After ordering our dinner, we sat back to enjoy the atmosphere and the evening, as it was still only around 8:00. This is about the time the festivities began and the patio area became a playground.

Apparently, the five children who descended upon the patio had finished their dinners inside and were sent outside to play with their newly made paper airplanes. Of course, their parents wanted to enjoy a few minutes of quiet alone, and it was perfectly acceptable to them to send their children outside to disturb other diners.

My wife and I looked at each other and uttered the same words, "Chuck E. Cheese?" (We've never been there but have a general idea.) We commented to our waitperson about this, and she explained that ever since the restaurant was given the "family-friendly" designation by local papers, it gets many families and children. We said that doesn't mean that children should run around and throw paper airplanes inside or outside the restaurant.

The father of one or all of the kids came outside to join in, and was actually encouraging the kids and showing them how to throw the planes really far.

When my wife asked him if he had ever heard of Chuck E. Cheese, he replied, "No." He went on to inform us that this was a "family-friendly" place and we should come after it's dark if we want to enjoy it without kids.

He further ranted that we obviously hated children and were unhappy people (we don't hate children and we are very happy). I asked him to go inside and throw the airplanes and see if those guests enjoyed the experience. He gathered his flock and told them they had to go inside because of the "unhappy" people.

We did stop by the host desk on the way out and expressed our disappointment. Other outside diners thanked us for saying something, as they were also annoyed by the kids, the planes and the father.

There are many restaurants that do cater to children and offer special menus, highchairs and booster seats, games and other distractions to keep kids occupied. Some even offer free food for young children. The ones that offer enclosed playgrounds and video games are just perfect, and the rest of us don't go there because we prefer not to dine in this atmosphere.

"Family-friendly" at an intown restaurant does not mean that kids should be able to run around, get in the way of servers and disturb other diners. Even though you think your kids are cute and perfect, everyone does not agree.

Perhaps these restaurants would be good training grounds for learning to hold a knife and fork properly and to learn some basic public dining skills. As children, we joined our parents at very nice restaurants not typically frequented by children. We sat at the table with our parents and our families and behaved. This is not an old-fashioned scenario, and there are many parents who have taught their children well.

So, "family-friendly" dad with the airplanes, we are not from the Upper East Side as you said, although we would love to live there. We enjoy dining before it gets dark and will not be inconvenienced by a 4- or 40-year-old. We are very happy and you were wrong.

Bon appétit.

• Marc Grauer lives in Atlanta.

[Hollow]

Originally Posted by Miss Golden

Restaurants shouldn't let kids disturb other diners

By MARC GRAUER
Published on: 07/25/05

Perhaps there is a misconception in Atlanta as to what a "family-friendly" restaurant truly means.

After a less than enjoyable evening at a restaurant in Virginia-Highland, I felt compelled to comment.

We planned a nice quiet Tuesday evening to celebrate our 20th anniversary. As we live in-town, we decided to visit a casual restaurant with some charm that we have enjoyed in the past. We wanted to be outside on a nice summer evening. Other diners, including some with small children, continued to fill the patio over the next hour.

After ordering our dinner, we sat back to enjoy the atmosphere and the evening, as it was still only around 8:00. This is about the time the festivities began and the patio area became a playground.

Apparently, the five children who descended upon the patio had finished their dinners inside and were sent outside to play with their newly made paper airplanes. Of course, their parents wanted to enjoy a few minutes of quiet alone, and it was perfectly acceptable to them to send their children outside to disturb other diners.

My wife and I looked at each other and uttered the same words, "Chuck E. Cheese?" (We've never been there but have a general idea.) We commented to our waitperson about this, and she explained that ever since the restaurant was given the "family-friendly" designation by local papers, it gets many families and children. We said that doesn't mean that children should run around and throw paper airplanes inside or outside the restaurant.

The father of one or all of the kids came outside to join in, and was actually encouraging the kids and showing them how to throw the planes really far.

When my wife asked him if he had ever heard of Chuck E. Cheese, he replied, "No." He went on to inform us that this was a "family-friendly" place and we should come after it's dark if we want to enjoy it without kids.

He further ranted that we obviously hated children and were unhappy people (we don't hate children and we are very happy). I asked him to go inside and throw the airplanes and see if those guests enjoyed the experience. He gathered his flock and told them they had to go inside because of the "unhappy" people.

We did stop by the host desk on the way out and expressed our disappointment. Other outside diners thanked us for saying something, as they were also annoyed by the kids, the planes and the father.

There are many restaurants that do cater to children and offer special menus, highchairs and booster seats, games and other distractions to keep kids occupied. Some even offer free food for young children. The ones that offer enclosed playgrounds and video games are just perfect, and the rest of us don't go there because we prefer not to dine in this atmosphere.

"Family-friendly" at an intown restaurant does not mean that kids should be able to run around, get in the way of servers and disturb other diners. Even though you think your kids are cute and perfect, everyone does not agree.

Perhaps these restaurants would be good training grounds for learning to hold a knife and fork properly and to learn some basic public dining skills. As children, we joined our parents at very nice restaurants not typically frequented by children. We sat at the table with our parents and our families and behaved. This is not an old-fashioned scenario, and there are many parents who have taught their children well.

So, "family-friendly" dad with the airplanes, we are not from the Upper East Side as you said, although we would love to live there. We enjoy dining before it gets dark and will not be inconvenienced by a 4- or 40-year-old. We are very happy and you were wrong.

Bon appétit.

• Marc Grauer lives in Atlanta.

[Zions Mother]

I couldn't vote because my answer would be: No, as long as they are well behaved or the parents have control and not the child.

We have taken the babies in our families to restaurants all of our lives. We are always complimented as to how peaceful they are and as children how well behaved they are.

Our babies never cried on planes either. That's my bigger peeve, sitting next two in front of or behind a screaming child on a plane.

[TJL]

The beauty of living in New York City is that if you want to, (with careful planning) you can happily drink, dine and go about your life without having to deal with children.

[Miss Golden]

Notice the Chuck E. Cheese plug too...

[TJL]

Originally Posted by Miss Golden

Notice the Chuck E. Cheese plug too...

Watch your back, they're gunning for you...

[Kazza]

As long as I'm in control of my child's behavior I don't see why not I can have dinner or lunch with them in a restaurant.
I know the time of day my children are prone to be tired or restless so we try not to go out during that time, if we go out and they start getting tired or restless then we leave.

[*MIBabe03*]

I don't care about restaurants. I hate it when people bring their babies to movies though. Get a babysitter, and if you can't, stay home.

[marmalade]

Originally Posted by Zions Mother

I couldn't vote because my answer would be: No, as
long as they are well behaved or the parents have control and not the child.

[MsOrange]

well now that Chuck E. Cheese have 3 headed people cutting off their head and gay guys peeing in pizza I guess we just need to leave them at home... lock the doors, they'll be aiight

[Mijada]

I don't have a problem with it as long as the parents keep them under control. When I have my baby we will probably bring him out to a lot of restaurants so I really cant object to others doing the same. I just hope my kid isn't a big crier. I've seen some babies out in public who cry and cry and the parents can't figure out what the kid wants. If my son is like that I will try not to bring him out unless it's neccesary. I understand how a crying baby can disturb others. My friend has a 6 month old son who never cries. As long as his tummy is full and he has a fresh diaper he is happy and they can take him anywhere without causing a disturbance.
What irks me the most though is when people bring their kids into restaurants with no shoes on, hair not combed etc. I was in a restaurant a few years ago where this couple brought in a little girl about 4 or 5 and she was in her pajamas. If you bring your kid to a public place at least make them look presentable. Maybe this makes me a clean freak or something but I will never bring my child out in public without fresh clothes on.

[EmoJoe]

They don't bother me unless they're like, screaming and acting up.

[Southern Hellraiser]

Originally Posted by Maroon5'd

They don't bother me unless they're like, screaming and acting up.

[MsOrange]

Originally Posted by Mijada

I was in a restaurant a few years ago where this couple brought in a little girl about 4 or 5 and she was in her pajamas. If you bring your kid to a public place at least make them look presentable. Maybe this makes me a clean freak or something but I will never bring my child out in public without fresh clothes on.

Amen! Some might not agree, but I don't think little girls should be allowed to go out in public with out a shirt on...I've seen so many parents just bring their kids in with diapers, and that's cute for a picture, but in the big scheme of things, put some clothes on 'em.

[spunkygirl]

They don't bother me as long as the parents are making them behave