If you go to a restaurant, LEAVE THE 2 YEAR OLD AT HOME.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

Some people just do not get it- they go to the busiest restaurant at the busiest time and proceed to ruin the enjoyment of every single person in their half of the building because they WILL NOT CONTROL THEIR SQUEALING LITTLE PIGGIE BRAT BABIES.

I can usually turn it off and cope, but today I was with my sister and we were trying to celebrate (our birthdays are 5 days apart) and mourn the 20 year anniversary of our brother's passing, and this horrid family of obnoxious buffoons planted their brat in the aisle and proceeded to allow him to shriek at the top of his voice for well over half an hour. I know for a fact the management got complaints from tables other than mine, but still nothing was done until I got up, went over, and told them to control the beast or shoot it (so to speak). Our meal was already ruined so it didn't matter to me. I was pissed.

We had our meals put into boxes and left, but I noticed the brat was by then sitting on the father's lap and the noise was slightly abating. SLIGHTLY.

Adult restaurants ARE NOT FOR NOISY CHILDREN. Be warned- I WILL tell you to your face if you're too ignorant to get it on your own.

*Gasp* *Wheeze* *Pant* Dayum, it felt GOOD to get that out!

I need a cigarette.... :evilgrin:

[GOPisEvil]

1. Woohoo! Who needs a movie?

:popcorn:

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. I brought enough for everybody

[flvegan]

2. Yes!! Got a good, early seat here

:popcorn:

[LeftyMom]

3. Share.

:popcorn:

[flvegan]

10. Saturday night. This is gonna be GREAT!!

more nom :popcorn: nom

[LeftyMom]

13. I have most of a case of beer and the pizza dough is just about ready.

This is perfect timing.

[Robb]

5. I find this post offensive

You, sir, will be getting a visit from the Squealing Little Piggy Brat Baby Anti-Defamation League.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

9. Bring 'em on.

I have not yet BEGUN to fight. :rofl:

[TheMightyFavog]

70. This is not drill, this is not drill, General Quarters, General Quarters!

All hands man your flamewar stations! Go up and forward on your starboard side, down and aft on your port side. General Quarters, General Quarters! Toddlers in restaurant thread in the Lounge! Awwooooga! Awwooooga! Awwooooga! Awwooooga! Awwooooga!

[texanwitch]

6. I need to make a quick trip to get me a few Mexican Cokes, be right back.

Save me some popcorn.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. Let me rephrase that

"Leave your two-year-old (or child of any age) at home if you're too lazy or clueless to keep them from making other people miserable and don't even have the courtesy to remove them from the scene if they become obnoxious. Definitely bring your child if s/he has been taught how to behave in public."

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

12. It should be flat-out ILLEGAL to bring ANY child into a restaurant.

I repeat: ANY child.

Okay, one exception: Chuck E. Cheese. Take 'em there and have at it. Just stay the he** away from MY restaurant.

Hey, this is FUN!

[Fran Kubelik]

16. please tell me you're kidding.

otherwise, i say to you: fie.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

27. AAY. ENN. WHY. Any.

And I'll see your fie and raise you a foe fum.

[Fleshdancer]

30. it's not the children, it's the parents who sit there and ignore their own kid that's the problem

and quite frankly, it shouldn't matter what type of restaurant you're in. Whether it be four star or Chuck E Cheese, kids should be able to sit down at the table without screaming. If they can't do this, then they are either too tired or too stimulated and it's time for them to leave.

I don't like the idea of double standards depending on the type of establishment because it's too much to expect a 2 yr old to know the difference.

Just my 2 cents

[Lydia Leftcoast]

44. Right, and I suspect that the parents whose kids throw bread

and run around screaming in restaurants are the same ones whose home lives are a candidate for Super Nanny.

My parents' version of the "naughty chair" was "the corner," a child-sized chair that faced a corner, so not only did we have to stay put, we didn't even have anything to look at.

[Fleshdancer]

51. I can't watch that show without screaming at my tv

I agree with Super Nanny, but it drives me nuts that someone has to actually drive around the country to tell parents that THEY are the adults and need to act accordingly. So much of it seems like common sense to me, but I guess it isn't.

The good thing about Super Nanny is that sometimes I watch it with my daughter and it reminds us both how good she is. The first time we saw a child hit her own mother on that show, both our jaws dropped.

[hyphenate]

31. Just make sure they don't take a whiz or a dump

in the plastic balls cage. :rofl:

[Fran Kubelik]

14. this is well phrased.

[Phentex]

8. IBTL

oh yeah

[sasquatch]

11. Thank you Jesus

:woohoo:

[Xipe Totec]

69. Let the little children come to me,

and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:14

Since you mentioned Jesus, I thought you might want to know what he had to say on the subject.

[petronius]

81. I'm sure he'd have had something different to say if someone had brought a flock

of squalling brats to the Last Supper.

[MountainLaurel]

84. Excellent point

:spray:

[Fleshdancer]

15. I'm ok with taking kids to adult restaurants....

but once the kid begins to disturb everyone else, you remove the kid.

My big rule of parenting has always been that my daughter needs to learn to adapt to our world. The world does not adapt to her. If she can't behave in a way that is socially acceptable, then I remove her. This is my responsibility.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

21. Good for you!

Too many parents DO think that the world has to kowtow to their children. This produces spoiled brats who insist on their own way at all times all the way into adulthood.

[Fleshdancer]

22. exactly, and that's a huge pet peeve

After watching Bush for the past 8 years, why would anyone want to raise a spoiled child? Nothing good comes from it.

[hyphenate]

34. I suddenly feel like singing the Oompa-Loompa song!

Oompa, Loompa, doom-pa-dee-do
I have another puzzle for you
Oompa, Loompa, doom-pa-da-dee
If you are wise, you'll listen to me

Who do you blame when your kid is a brat?
Pampered and spoiled like a Siamese cat
Blaming the kids is a lie and a shame
You know exactly who's to blame

The mother and the father

Oompa, Loompa, doom-pa-dee-da
If you're not spoiled, then you will go far
You will live in happiness too
Like the Oompa Loompa doom-pa-dee-do

[Lydia Leftcoast]

45. I saw how spoiled children behave in college i.e. like

two-year-olds, only more articulate--sometimes.

[petronius]

29. So long as "disturb everyone else" is defined from the point of view of the

"everyone else" and not the perspective of the doting parent I agree with you...

[Fleshdancer]

35. I totally agree

the first scream or cry was my hint. This is how I was raised and this is how my daughter was raised.

I remember thinking as a kid that my parents were too strict when it came to restaurant behavior. It wasn't until I got a job as a waitress in high school that I realized how right they were. I almost killed a toddler who was running around the restaurant as their idiot parents ignored him. When you're carrying a huge tray of heavy dishes topped with hot food, you can't see little kids running toward your legs. I still don't know how that tray managed to miss him as I tripped. Since then, I knew my parents were on to something.

[petronius]

79. Yep. Your parents (and you) are sadly in the minority, however (nt)

[Withywindle]

67. Exactly

I have no idea how old I was when I first got taken to a restaurant that wasn't fast food. (well, my parents were kind of poor, so it wouldn't have happened often anyway). I'm pretty sure I was already in a training bra, though.

I do remember my first movie - Bambi, when I was 5. 'cause my parent knew I'd be rapt with attention and not bother anyone (I'd already established my particular stereotype as Quiet Bookish Kid by then).

My parent made it clear to me that these were extremely special treats, and if I acted up and embarrassed them in the slightest, we'd be leaving and I wouldn't get another chance until high school. (OK, hyperbole, but I believed 'em at the time and that's what counts!)

I was barely allowed in my OWN kitchen at home until Mom could trust I wouldn't run around and make her spill hot food on me.

[nadine_mn]

75. I am not sure about all adult restaurants

Yes its the parent(s) responisbility to make sure their children behaves however:

(puts on flame retardant gear)

I think some places should be child free

I am a proud pet owner and if I could I would bring my well behaved dogs everywhere, but I cant and thats ok. As an occasional smoker I know that there are places that I can't smoke and thats fine. Just as some places are geared towards children specifically (the aforementioned Chuck E Cheese), many are family friendly (majority of restaurants) there should be room at the other end of the spectrum for those who want a dinner away from kids.

That said... I feel the frustration of the OP and of the kids at the restaurant - kids aren't stupid and are not immune to the glares that are directed at them from diners. Clearly their parents were not paying attention to them - so they felt left out - acted up, then felt the murderous stare (while it may have been directed at the parents...come on kids will still pick up on it) which causes more stress and more acting out.

If you are going to bring your kids with you - make sure that you treat them with respect - not as baggage. When my husband and I met his brother, wife and their 2 kids for dinner I packed in my purse crayons and color sheets (I may not have kids - but I worked as a child advocate in a DV shelter). Once at dinner adults began talking and I could see that look of left-out-ness and boredom on my nieces faces. They started fidgeting and fussing (ages 6 and 3) and their parents ignored them. They would try to get parents attention - more being brushed off. Dinner was taking long (appetizers to order etc) so more fidgeting and more ignoring. I am sorry but young children do not have the attention span to sit still (hell I dont)in a boring restaurant listen to old farts blather.So I dug out the color sheets and crayons and the 3 of us talked and colored while my hubby and in-laws caught up... Yes I contributed to the adult side of the conversation...but I made sure those little girls did not feel like they were a burden.

I didnt say anything to my inlaws - mainly because I cant stand my husbands brother (he threatened my husband on our wedding day) but its amazing how well children behave when you give them the opportunity to succeed.

[Fleshdancer]

82. Good point....

My hint as a parent is when a restaurant does not provide a special menu for kids.

[mentalsolstice]

17. Children are ok in restaurants, but why are they seated in the bar area?

We have two favorite restaurants, both have a bar area, and being childless in our 40s and 60s, that's where we choose to sit. Yes, seating and service is quicker there. However, why do parents of small children also choose this area? It's kinda funky sitting at the bar, and you have 3 y.o. sitting next to you????

[Fleshdancer]

20. I'm against kids in bars

I think it's tacky.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

32. Actually, that's not a bad idea.

Get 'em drunk enough and they'll pass out and leave the rest of us alone.

I LIKE it. :headbang:

[Fleshdancer]

37. but what if they become belligerent drunks before they pass out?

It's a risk

:rofl:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

42. Simple.

Get the bouncer. :shrug:

[flvegan]

25. Because they order top shelf stuff and tip well?

:shrug:

[BlueJazz]

18. When they come into the restaurant, the Kids should be put in one of these>>>

[BlueJazz]

24. ...or one of these >>>

:rofl:

[Dr. Strange]

19. I'm not sure how to get that in my sigline pic.

[Ptah]

23. You must not have gone to AARPleBees

[Darth_Kitten]

36. I'm offended by Kitten Boxers.....

:evilgrin:

[Ptah]

40. How about sunflowers?

[NashVegas]

26. If The Restaurant Has High Chairs

That's the risk you take.

Sorry your meal was ruined, and on such a horrible day for it.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

28. I told 'em off in public, and it felt GOOD.

So it was NOT a total loss... :evilgrin:

[Skittles]

33. I AGREE

IF YOU CANNOT DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILD DO NOT INFLICT THEIR BRATTY BEHAVIOR ON OTHERS IN RESTAURANTS OR MOVIE THEATERS

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

38. You and I need to go on an ass-kicking spree.

I'll pay for the gas. :yourock:

[Skittles]

41. Oh I would WALK to kick some parents' ass

yes INDEED

[Mutley]

39. OMG YOU HATE CHILDREN!!!!!11

Clearly you're a freeper. :evilgrin:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

43. What was your first clue?

(That I hate children- NOT that I'm a freeper...) :evilgrin:

[China_cat]

46. I want to know why it's so wrong for adults to want

to have the choice of places that cater to adults? And I don't mean in the sense of 'adult'(xxx rated) entertainment. Why does EVERY place 'have' to cater to kids? Damn it, if you have enough money for a really nice restaurant (which probably doesn't have anything on the menu that the kids will eat anyway), then save an extra week or 2 and HIRE A BABYSITTER.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

49. Marry me.

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[China_cat]

50. My husband might object.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

55. No need to tell him.

It would just upset him, after all. :shrug:

[Fleshdancer]

54. I imagine it's a tough position to be in as the owner

As a parent, if a restaurant does not carry a kid's menu, then this is the polite hint for me to not take my kid there and I plan accordingly (assuming I know this ahead of time). Not only is this out of respect for the establishment, but for my child too since I know her palate isn't mature enough to handle the same level of spices in the foods that I can.

[Fox Mulder]

47. No shit!

I totally agree with you there.

Kids ruin everything.

[Blue-Jay]

48. Most automobile trunks are plenty roomy for a two year old.

[MorningGlow]

52. I have a 4 YO...

and I couldn't agree with you more, Six.

Our kid is AMAZING in restaurants--always has been. In fact, you are welcome to join us for a meal out any time--our treat--just to see how a child could behave in a restaurant. He might have come by this mellow tendency naturally, but we did cultivate it.

Rulez:

1. Get child used to eating out by starting at family restaurants when s/he's young.

2. Make sure child has had a snack before getting to the restaurant or while waiting to order.

3. Do NOT drag child to a restaurant after child's usual mealtime or (gods forbid) bedtime. (I am horrified to see a kid out at ALL past 6 or 7 p.m., let alone waiting for a table at that time.)

4. Come to think of it, do NOT go to a restaurant where there's a wait. If you have to wait longer than 10 minutes, go somewhere else--or hit a drivethru and go home.

5. Bring toys--LOTS of toys. (MG Jr. has a small backpack that we fill with Matchbox cars.)

6. If child fusses, entertain child--do not try to have an adult conversation while said child is starting to freak out.

7. Keep child quiet and keep child in chair or booth. Do not let child raise voice or stray even one inch from your area.

8. If all else fails, remove child.

It's really not that hard to figure out. :shrug:

[Fleshdancer]

56. Exactly.

Know your child and use common sense.

Another rule I had when my daughter was younger is that if we're going to a nice restaurant, go early before the rush. Obviously the other rules apply, but this way you don't scare the other customers. :)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

63. Yes, we could be taken out in public, since we had to behave at home, too

Years ago, the restaurant reviewer for one of Tokyo's English-language magazines wrote a review in which he said that his otherwise excellent meal had been ruined by some unruly children.

He received a barrage of letters accusing him of being a grumpy old bachelor who hated kids or at least didn't understand them.

Not so, he wrote in reply. He had actually raised three children alone as a widower, and they had never acted up in public, at least not for very long without some firm intervention.

[orleans]

53. i NEVER would have allowed my daughter to behave like that in public

and i think it's disgraceful that parents don't give a shit.

if a child so so uncontrollable then do drive thru, or get a fucking babysitter

[lizerdbits]

57. My sister and BIL

will take turns eating (when my parents and I have been with them since they don't go out with the kids alone) so if one gets fussy they will take him outside, or sometimes Grandpa/Grandma will do the job. They do leave much bigger tips now since there's usually a big mess on the floor since that's where half the kid's food goes.

That reminds me, I need to carve my own uterus out with a butter knife. I forgot since returning from a family vacation involving the children.

[RoyGBiv]

58. Now wait a damn minute ...

Was it the Olive Garden?

'Cause if it was the Olive Garden, then okay, I get your point.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

60. Nope.

It was Cheddars. (A better family restaurant than the name might suggest, if you've never heard of it.)

The Olive Garden was about half a mile on down the road. :evilgrin:

[RoyGBiv]

61. Within spitting distance then ...

:hi:

Or possibly throwing kid distance ...

:P

[ThatsMyBarack]

59. It's always the "No Sitter" excuse.

"The sitter called in sick." Too bad--stay home.

"I couldn't afford a sitter." Then how can you afford to eat out--and feed the tribe?

"I couldn't get a sitter." :argh:

[graywarrior]

62. Mr Gray always starts crying really loud when that happens

Kids usually are so stunned at a grown man crying, they stop and stare at him. So do I and then die of embarrassment.

[Fleshdancer]

65. ROFL!!!!

I have to admit...mini Gloria is almost always better than Mr Gloria in restaurants. :D

Naturally I blame his parents of course. ;)

[graywarrior]

68. Mr Gray dances down supermarket aisles and sings in WalMart

I die a million deaths when we're out in public.

[Fleshdancer]

72. I think our husbands are long lost insane brothers

I can't count the times Mr Gloria has grabbed me for an impromptu waltz down the aisles at Lowe's. I hate that. I must admit he's a terrific dancer though.

Fortunately he doesn't dance in the grocery stores, but he does open up a jar of olives and eat them with my daughter as they stroll slowly throughout the store. I have many pet peeves and the smell of olive juice and grocery shopping are pretty high on the list. Plus there's nothing more gross than the smell of olive burps from a grown man and an 8 yr old on the drive home. Freaks.

on edit: he doesn't dance in the grocery stores any more. I felt the need to clarify that point. :)

[graywarrior]

73. Ha! I can't believe he opens the olives. That's funny.

I have no control over Mr Gray. God help me if he thinks he's embarrasing me....he just gets more outrageous. But when he fakes an Irish accent with the cashier or store employee, I freaking lose it. I die laughing. He'll keep that shit up all day sometimes. Fuuniest thing I ever heard.

[PeaceNikki]

76. HA! My dad gets a great Itailian accent going.

:D

[LibDemAlways]

64. Hey, where did all the "kids have every right to

ruin your restaurant experience" posters go? I posted a similar thread a couple of years ago and was bombarded with responses informing me that I had no business expecting to enjoy a restaurant meal. One even told me I should stay home if I didn't want to listen to a screaming toddler. The child I encountered screamed nonstop for a half hour and threw plates while mom ignored the whole episode. Granted, the parent is ultimately the guilty party, but there's no excuse for allowing your kid to ruin the dining experience of an entire roomful of people. That's the very definition of rude and obnoxious.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

66. Things have changed here since then.

There's a new Sheriff in town. :headbang:

[sniffa]

71. Give me a quarter

[Gormy Cuss]

74. No.

:)

[sniffa]

77. Don't yell at me!

[nadine_mn]

78. Why is Hooter's considered a family restaurant?

Just a question since my uncle has taken my cousin there since the age of .... well infant and my cousin is now in highschool. Oh wait...its for the wings

[HughBeaumont]

80. For such an incendiary post, I gotta say that this was a pretty popcorn-unneeded set of responses.

:)






























BTW, I agree with you. I'm fucking cursed; probably more are also cursed, but just aren't letting on. Every restaurant/fast food/bistro/Denny's I've been to in the past 24 years ALWAYS has a crying, overtired and/or ignored wailing-in-a-spine-seeking-voice toddler. I'm not even kidding. Kids don't like restaurants where they're not entertained, you fools. Hire a fucking babysitter.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

83. It's not only been on the verge of "genteel", but it's become a HOT thread.

Perhaps I touched a nerve.

Either that or everyone here is simply bored on a Saturday evening...

:shrug: