General Discussion

Orrex

(67,080 posts)

138. Well golly! You've got it all figured out!

Sun Dec 20, 2015, 01:48 PM

Dec 2015

I have two children, thanks for asking, and they never behaved that way in public.

However, since I am both a parent and a grown-up, I have learned to respond to such situations with compassion and with an understanding of the limits of my authority. To wit, in a situation like this, you have four options:

1. Politely ask the customer to quiet her child
2. Complain to the manager
3. Leave the establishment
4. Suck it up, because frankly it's not that big a deal

If we really want to stretch it, there's also a 5th option: Ask sincerely if the parent needs help.

You are of course free to behave in whatever manner your righteous anger seems to justify, but you actually have limited authority to act unless you're willing to be a jerk about it, and I'm sure you'd never want to do that.

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Diners Deliver Scolding Note to Mom and Screaming Toddler [View all] chalmers Dec 2015 OP

Fuck's sake, it's a place named TEXAS ROADHOUSE Scootaloo Dec 2015 #1

And they have peanuts hulls all over the floor and nobody expects it to be... ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #20

Not my experience! SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #39

I've never had a single bad experience, or meal, there. Not sure what your culinary... ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #81

Agree. narnian60 Dec 2015 #126

It's one of my favorite places to go back to over and over. I want to know from those who... ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #130

Edible steak. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #225

Honestly JackInGreen Dec 2015 #78

I've been there with my brothers and their families. We were not quiet. MH1 Dec 2015 #210

Yeah, I let a clattering fart in one. No one noticed. Eleanors38 Dec 2015 #177

I sympathize with the mother edhopper Dec 2015 #2

They handled this like a-holes. Oneironaut Dec 2015 #3

This was from the mothers pov edhopper Dec 2015 #5

The very existence of the note is silly. Oneironaut Dec 2015 #7

we disagree, edhopper Dec 2015 #10

Bingo! They were nasty and cowardly liberalhistorian Dec 2015 #17

If the child is making excessive noise, take it out. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #42

Not the price point, so much as perhaps the restaurant style? Hortensis Dec 2015 #116

I once posted here about a screaming kid LibDemAlways Dec 2015 #157

Hear, hear! smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #199

Well, then, if you and your mother say so, liberalhistorian Dec 2015 #168

This is the crux of the issue Dorian Gray Dec 2015 #212

I call BS titaniumsalute Dec 2015 #62

I have raised my kids and I would get annoyed if they screamed TexasMommaWithAHat Dec 2015 #86

Hear, hear! smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #90

I have no patience for parents raising special snowflakes. TexasMommaWithAHat Dec 2015 #102

This. ^^^^^^^ LibDemAlways Dec 2015 #158

Well said! frogmarch Dec 2015 #162

Yes! TexasMommaWithAHat Dec 2015 #170

Yes, those parents who tune out screaming and ignore the kids are especially bad. we can do it Dec 2015 #222

Applause from me too! sammythecat Dec 2015 #226

Grown ups would take their obnoxious, mis-behaving children out of the restuarant until they smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #89

They should either deal with it Dorian Gray Dec 2015 #13

or did't want to make a scene. edhopper Dec 2015 #33

Whatever gets the point across is fine with me. nt SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #49

If I'm paying, SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #52

But that simply reveals you as self-important and entitled. Orrex Dec 2015 #67

If I'm paying, I sure am entitled. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #71

Then in that case, you have four grown-up options Orrex Dec 2015 #75

I heard you the first time. Wasn't interested that time either. nt SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #77

Well, I'm sorry to interrupt your tantrum. Orrex Dec 2015 #79

Lol orrex elehhhhna Dec 2015 #197

heh Dorian Gray Dec 2015 #214

The mother of the screaming child had options, too. Demit Dec 2015 #83

And both the manager and the company rep approved it Orrex Dec 2015 #85

Yes, the mother now knows she need never be considerate of other diners again. Demit Dec 2015 #93

+1000 smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #101

Then your complaint is likewise with the company and not with the parent Orrex Dec 2015 #109

You are correct. Everyone has the 'right' to be obnoxious. Demit Dec 2015 #115

That's a good point Orrex Dec 2015 #140

The person who keeps calling writing a note a 'tantrum'. Demit Dec 2015 #142

The article said that they "slammed" the note on the parent's table Orrex Dec 2015 #145

the mother says they slammed it edhopper Dec 2015 #146

Do you have reason to assume that she's lying? Orrex Dec 2015 #149

There's also take-out Proserpina Dec 2015 #202

I'd include that under #3. Orrex Dec 2015 #203

Then get take out n/t kcr Dec 2015 #96

But the family is paying also, you are not the only liberalhistorian Dec 2015 #165

So because one loud idiot is paying everyone else who is paying needs to deal with it? we can do it Dec 2015 #223

So, you are the only person in a given restaurant that is paying? Bettie Dec 2015 #211

Woo-hoo! pintobean Dec 2015 #88

If the child was still there and screaming SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #51

It sounds like the child screamed throughout the meal edhopper Dec 2015 #95

Because if the women wanted a nice, quiet dinner, they liberalhistorian Dec 2015 #171

So you were there edhopper Dec 2015 #175

Oh, how kind of them! I'm sure that mother was totally oblivious and needed the clue Proserpina Dec 2015 #201

You mean being oblivious edhopper Dec 2015 #205

'Every Texas Roadhouse I've ever been to was loud." EX500rider Dec 2015 #128

My experience HDSam Dec 2015 #194

I bet the waitstaff would be more than willing to help change tables DrDan Dec 2015 #228

Perhaps edhopper Dec 2015 #229

Kids never bother me treestar Dec 2015 #4

I know edhopper Dec 2015 #6

and the constipation....let me tell you the pain goes on and on dembotoz Dec 2015 #8

Ewwww Liberal_in_LA Dec 2015 #45

Screaming toddlers don't belong in restaurants. lindysalsagal Dec 2015 #9

This was a casual family restaurant, liberalhistorian Dec 2015 #18

I expect a reasonable environment, if I am paying. nt SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #43

Exactly. n/t. lindysalsagal Dec 2015 #117

THEY are paying also. Or is only liberalhistorian Dec 2015 #172

Everyone at the restaurant is paying! TeddyR Dec 2015 #189

Not that I disagree with you... Chan790 Dec 2015 #190

Yeah TeddyR Dec 2015 #192

Me too. we can do it Dec 2015 #221

There a difference between background noise TexasMommaWithAHat Dec 2015 #87

So good to see your comment. Thanks. n/t Judi Lynn Dec 2015 #23

You obviously have never eaten there, the birthday wooden horse really increases the volume... AuntPatsy Dec 2015 #30

I don't even agree that fast-food sitdown is OK. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #50

+1000 smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #91

I agree Mz Pip Dec 2015 #53

Thank you. nt SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #54

Probably best to avoid going out of your own home if you want Bonobo Dec 2015 #59

Oh god, the "children are our future" argument! smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #94

But true! VMA131Marine Dec 2015 #105

The kid could grow up to be another Hitler. You never know. smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #114

My inner anarchist is smiling.... lindysalsagal Dec 2015 #118

I agree 100 percent. Nothing will ruin a good dinner than rowdy or a screaming kid. demosincebirth Dec 2015 #111

Restaurant? What restaurant? Eleanors38 Dec 2015 #179

+1 we would just take a walk . Too cold ? walk to the bathroom Person 2713 Dec 2015 #181

Kudos to the Management dilby Dec 2015 #11

Depends on what you read into the story. Igel Dec 2015 #14

Thank you. nt SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #44

The Texas Roadhouse advertises itself as a family restaurant. dilby Dec 2015 #73

Very reasonable post on this subject! smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #98

We always took our kid outside when he started up in a restaurant Yupster Dec 2015 #12

We did the same thing. Boudica the Lyoness Dec 2015 #15

+1000 lindysalsagal Dec 2015 #29

Who deserve everything they get. smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #137

Not only that, the manager comps their meal ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2015 #35

Yep, there seem to be more and more Bratleys out there and fewer and fewer smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #99

We did the same thing with our son greymattermom Dec 2015 #19

Same here. 840high Dec 2015 #27

Some people have more manners than others TexasMommaWithAHat Dec 2015 #92

Thank you! smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #104

haha TexasMommaWithAHat Dec 2015 #107

Neither am I, and it's really a problem these days. smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #112

Donald Trump probably says the same TeddyR Dec 2015 #191

No, it's because their parents teach them how to behave when in public and smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #198

Children under six should not be allowed dumbcat Dec 2015 #16

+1,000! n/t PasadenaTrudy Dec 2015 #21

Some places, like this one in the OP, want the kiddies Warpy Dec 2015 #31

If only! smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #139

A simple rule of thumb for people like you pintobean Dec 2015 #200

This is an old story IDemo Dec 2015 #22

This isn't Late Breaking News. G.D. n/t Judi Lynn Dec 2015 #24

But it's still old enough not to be relevant n/t IDemo Dec 2015 #25

It is very relevant, IMHO. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #46

Very old story. 840high Dec 2015 #28

We go to Texas Roadhouse.... Docreed2003 Dec 2015 #26

Well, if I knew you were coming I would have stayed home. nt SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #47

A lot of people are simply annoyed by Bettie Dec 2015 #58

Take them home, then. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #60

Actually, aside from laughter Bettie Dec 2015 #183

NOT TRUE. I have several kiddos and I'm annoyed TexasMommaWithAHat Dec 2015 #97

I can't stand Dorian Gray Dec 2015 #215

I had to remove mine from time to time. I had nothing like perfect kids! TexasMommaWithAHat Dec 2015 #220

It's probably 10 minutes from our house IDemo Dec 2015 #69

Texas Roadhouse is the noisiest place. madaboutharry Dec 2015 #32

Screaming kids are part of the din of life. Laffy Kat Dec 2015 #34

Not if I am paying for dinner. nt SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #37

Yes, even then. Orrex Dec 2015 #66

Well, that would be one of the reasons why SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #74

That is entirely your option, and I encourage you to exercise that option Orrex Dec 2015 #76

That's fine for me, SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #80

How lucky they are to have someone willing to scold them for their parenting Orrex Dec 2015 #84

The only "Special Snowflakes" are these bratty children and their ill-mannered parents. smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #113

Well golly! You've got it all figured out! Orrex Dec 2015 #138

I generally don't go to family restaurants, so this problem rarely comes up in smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #141

Indeed, the patrons are not wrong to be irritated by it Orrex Dec 2015 #143

This story is about bighart Dec 2015 #230

Yeah, no. We don't all go to those places. REP Dec 2015 #56

Yep. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #61

True. It's not that bad. treestar Dec 2015 #63

It is this attitude that so many ill-bred people espouse these days that makes smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #106

If kids are not old/mature enough SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #36

+1 ShrimpPoboy Dec 2015 #70

Yes, amazing isn't it? I can't believe so many people are so opposed what used to smirkymonkey Dec 2015 #110

What do you do Dorian Gray Dec 2015 #216

Screaming children bother me. I usually get up and move but try to do it without people.. BlueJazz Dec 2015 #38

My worst dining experiences haven't involved kids... adults are usually 100x more annoying... JCMach1 Dec 2015 #40

Yep. treestar Dec 2015 #64

^^That. All of that. 100% of that. Orrex Dec 2015 #68

Bingo. laundry_queen Dec 2015 #136

This is true of all public settings, not just restaurants. demmiblue Dec 2015 #150

I will park myself right here in agreement. ScreamingMeemie Dec 2015 #155

Texas Roadhouse ain't exactly fine dining. romanic Dec 2015 #41

Then take them out. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #48

Pretty much like Chuckie Cheese with beer. alphafemale Dec 2015 #82

Fuck! Where do you eat when you go out to dinner??????? I guess people who dine at those... ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #125

I fucking HATE food snobs. cherokeeprogressive Dec 2015 #132

Sorry class-snobs, making themselves feel better by disparaging the proles. If it... ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #135

And there are a few of those right here in this thread. cherokeeprogressive Dec 2015 #144

I generally DO NOT go OUT to EAT... alphafemale Dec 2015 #147

So, you think I don't know what cooking is? What a weird thing to infer. And I'm never... ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #159

Post removed Post removed Dec 2015 #161

Poor little baby having a temper tantrum. demmiblue Dec 2015 #164

And remember--the screaming child is the one who needs to be controlled. Orrex Dec 2015 #166

I know I am laughing... so ironically delicious! demmiblue Dec 2015 #174

The irony was not lost on the jury, it seems Orrex Dec 2015 #187

Well, to be honest, to miss that would be like missing.. demmiblue Dec 2015 #188

So now you're the screaming child in the Road House? Here's your nasty note. ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #184

Oh, and by the way, the irony of your post is breathtaking. nt ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #185

Holy shit! Where do you eat when you go out to dinner? Most of us low-lifes must not... ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #123

Went out for breakfast once... marew Dec 2015 #55

Yep. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #57

At that point, I'd get my entire table to immitate the baby lindysalsagal Dec 2015 #119

You are mistaken. It is completely different. Laffy Kat Dec 2015 #121

You make alot of assumptions. I wish you intelligence. n/t. lindysalsagal Dec 2015 #122

Of course, you validate the previous posters comment... ChisolmTrailDem Dec 2015 #127

LOL. Yes, much is revealed in this thread Orrex Dec 2015 #167

Yeah I have to guess the bad parents are not the smartest . Person 2713 Dec 2015 #182

My kids were generally well behaved at restaurants. alphafemale Dec 2015 #186

The mother should be branded with a hot iron as a warning for next time Orrex Dec 2015 #65

^This^ Laffy Kat Dec 2015 #124

I hate screaming kids as much as anybody, probably more. tabasco Dec 2015 #72

She should have breast fed the child to keep him quiet. pintobean Dec 2015 #100

And sent her pit-bull after the note writers. emulatorloo Dec 2015 #129

When this happens to me, I just smile and think, "Thank god it is not one of mine" Throckmorton Dec 2015 #103

how could they hear it over all the other noise at a Texas Roadhouse? rurallib Dec 2015 #108

Exacactly, this is a loud, noisy, FAMILY, chain restaurant... JCMach1 Dec 2015 #120

I don't like screaming kids, not delt with in any restaurant! They should remove the kid, calm him ViseGrip Dec 2015 #131

I have a name for the two "middle-aged" women but it would get this hidden. cherokeeprogressive Dec 2015 #133

^^Thread win Orrex Dec 2015 #176

as a friend of mine says. "Keep it in your head." TeamPooka Dec 2015 #134

Getting three inches from the brats face and screaming "SHUT UP!" alphafemale Dec 2015 #148

Maybe a quick blast of pepper spray while you're at it. Orrex Dec 2015 #151

Perhaps one's breath would serve the same purpose. /nt pintobean Dec 2015 #154

Maybe after a double-helping of the Onion Blossom Orrex Dec 2015 #156

I was thinking something mythical pintobean Dec 2015 #160

As long as the child is injured or traumatized, I guess it's all good Orrex Dec 2015 #163

Resolving conflicts... pintobean Dec 2015 #169

Question for clarification, please Orrex Dec 2015 #173

I have no idea. pintobean Dec 2015 #180

Screaming 3" from an unknown 10-month-old baby's face? pintobean Dec 2015 #152

Good way to get the shit knocked out of you. demmiblue Dec 2015 #153

Are you serious? TeddyR Dec 2015 #193

Go for it Dorian Gray Dec 2015 #217

I remember back in the day when smoking was allowed Kalidurga Dec 2015 #178

Maybe we should have separate sections for each race too TeddyR Dec 2015 #195

You are wacky Kalidurga Dec 2015 #196

LOL ProudToBeBlueInRhody Dec 2015 #206

I got to this thread late but must express my opinion Jim Beard Dec 2015 #204

if I really wanted a serene dining experience Skittles Dec 2015 #207

After reading some the thought occurred to me, What are the Democrats? Jim Beard Dec 2015 #208

You wouldn't be able to hear a screaming 10 MONTH OLD Ilsa Dec 2015 #209

Generic reply. SusanCalvin Dec 2015 #213

When our now-23 year old was about... 3catwoman3 Dec 2015 #218

How long was the child screaming? joeybee12 Dec 2015 #219

Some short-term fussing and crying is okay, but Arugula Latte Dec 2015 #224

Assholes. I just think "I have to put up with your kid for an hour..." frizzled Dec 2015 #227