TOTALLY GEEKED!

Let the games begin!

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:

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Let the games begin!

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 LOL!

I was here. 

I would support a restaurant that made this policy. If I want to hear screaming kids, I will stay home. I routinely request to be reseated if I find myself seated near kids who are having melt downs in restaurants when I'm with all adults. Not every venue has to welcome little pwecious.

I have no problem at all with them not catering to kids. Why cant there be an adult only restaurant?

Yes, yes. I know. Not all kids behave the same. I know some have special needs.

Ok. As a mom of a child with special needs, I always took his well being and comfort into consideration ALONG WITH those around us.

Sometimes that meant we didn't go to certain places or do certain things.

I have left restaurants when my kids started acting up because I was trying to be considerate of those around me.

Life is a joint effort for all of us. why make it harder than it has to be?

And on the very rare occasions I was able to go out with the kids, and it was extremely rare, I didn't want to hear or deal with other kids. I would love to see a kid free area in restaurants. Especially the nicer ones.

Go on and flame me if you want.

A couple years ago on the Fourth of July I took all the kids out to eat at a semi nice restaurant. It sits on the river and they shoot the fireworks off right there. Beautiful. We took Vette and Momala there. Anyway, in the booth right behind us was a young couple with a newborn baby. They were eating and the baby started getting fussy. They wouldn't pick the little girl up and hold her. The father was getting frustrated but the mom kept saying how it wasn't time for her to eat. That she had her on an eating schedule and it would disrupt the schedule. The baby was tiny. And clearly needing something. She cried for a good half hour before they left the restaurant. I really did want to tell those parents off. I guess I wasn't wearing my mean girl outfit that day.

We don't see misbehaved children very much when we go out, but when we do it's usually at places like Olive Garden or Red Lobster-chain restaurants. We don't go to chain restaurants very often. Not that we have anything against them, there are just local places we like better and don't have a long wait to get a table.

Parents would be better off going early when they don't have to wait. Often times, children act up because they are tired or bored from having to sit and wait an hour for a table.

I don't mind screaming kids if it appears that the parents are attempting to soothe it.

Mellow Momma wrote:

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I don't think restaurants need a blanket policy of "no kids". I think they need to sack up and approach noisy parties who are disrupting other diners, whether it be a bunch of sorority girls, a family with out of control little kids, or a group of old men tossing back a few and being rowdy. All are obnoxious and ruin the experience for others. If your kids can eat out and behave, you should not be punished. But that's just it - everyone thinks their VSS is not the one causing the trouble.

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Mellow Momma wrote:

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I don't think restaurants need a blanket policy of "no kids". I think they need to sack up and approach noisy parties who are disrupting other diners, whether it be a bunch of sorority girls, a family with out of control little kids, or a group of old men tossing back a few and being rowdy. All are obnoxious and ruin the experience for others. If your kids can eat out and behave, you should not be punished. But that's just it - everyone thinks their VSS is not the one causing the trouble.

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 THIS. More often than not, it's other adults being disruptive when I am out.

Lindley wrote:

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Mellow Momma wrote:

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I don't think restaurants need a blanket policy of "no kids". I think they need to sack up and approach noisy parties who are disrupting other diners, whether it be a bunch of sorority girls, a family with out of control little kids, or a group of old men tossing back a few and being rowdy. All are obnoxious and ruin the experience for others. If your kids can eat out and behave, you should not be punished. But that's just it - everyone thinks their VSS is not the one causing the trouble.

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  I agree with this.

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 Yep.  It was really dumb to post that.  What you do is post a really nice sign in your lobby that says "For the comfort of all our patrons, please remove screaming children from the dining room."

lilyofcourse wrote:

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Have you ever had to aproach a parent about their disruptive child? I have. No matter how delicately you broach the situayion, it becomes huge ordeal.

The best thing would be to have a kid free night or hours or something like that.

I literally pulled a 2-3 year old from out of a huge window that they were kicking and throwing things from. I asked the parent to remove the child twice. When the child began throwing things and hitting people with the things I coaxed him out of the window and walked him and Togo boxes to his parents and asked them very quietly to leave.

It wasn't pretty. I was called all kinds of Things. Threatened and pushed.

We had to threaten to call the police.

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 Yes.  It's all in how you approach it.  But if there is already a policy in place about removing screaming children, you would say, "could you please take him outside until he calms down?  If you need to leave, the server will be happy to box your meal."

The one that really bugs me is parents that let kids run around the restaurant - that's dangerous.  I told many a parent and child, "the servers are carrying very heavy trays of food and they often can't see the little ones, I don't want them to get hurt so please have them sit down."  I received some dirty looks, but nobody ever yelled or made a scene, and the kid sat down.  

 

People make such big deals out of things that don't have to be. 

Okay, I realize we're not suppose to do this but does anyone remember aprilmichelle with the twins from the original MM board who got every single meal she ever ate out comped?

Stating upfront that they will not cater to screaming, or even non screaming kids is just great to me. We have a few places around here that is kitted out for Little Man to do his thing. When he is with us, that is where we go. When it's just Jus and myself, we go to restaurants that don't have a kiddies menu.

lilyofcourse wrote:

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FNW wrote:

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We don't see misbehaved children very much when we go out, but when we do it's usually at places like Olive Garden or Red Lobster-chain restaurants. We don't go to chain restaurants very often. Not that we have anything against them, there are just local places we like better and don't have a long wait to get a table.

Parents would be better off going early when they don't have to wait. Often times, children act up because they are tired or bored from having to sit and wait an hour for a table.

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 That's what I did. We would go about 4 for dinner.  Or late lunch. Fewer people to disturb too.

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 Yep.  Parents should be able to read their children and know when they are tired, cranky, etc., and avoid situations that would exacerbate this.  

Sure, there are times when the situation cannot be avoided, but dining out is not one of them.  If they need to eat out that badly, go to the drive-thru.

Mellow Momma wrote:

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Lawyerlady wrote:

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lilyofcourse wrote:

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Have you ever had to aproach a parent about their disruptive child? I have. No matter how delicately you broach the situayion, it becomes huge ordeal.

The best thing would be to have a kid free night or hours or something like that.

I literally pulled a 2-3 year old from out of a huge window that they were kicking and throwing things from. I asked the parent to remove the child twice. When the child began throwing things and hitting people with the things I coaxed him out of the window and walked him and Togo boxes to his parents and asked them very quietly to leave.

It wasn't pretty. I was called all kinds of Things. Threatened and pushed.

We had to threaten to call the police.

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 Yes.  It's all in how you approach it.  But if there is already a policy in place about removing screaming children, you would say, "could you please take him outside until he calms down?  If you need to leave, the server will be happy to box your meal."

The one that really bugs me is parents that let kids run around the restaurant - that's dangerous.  I told many a parent and child, "the servers are carrying very heavy trays of food and they often can't see the little ones, I don't want them to get hurt so please have them sit down."  I received some dirty looks, but nobody ever yelled or made a scene, and the kid sat down.  

 

People make such big deals out of things that don't have to be. 

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 If needed, you could comp the meal of the disruptive patrons. It would make you money in the long run, as the people enjoying themselves would likely stay longer and spend more. Also, once your establishment became known for being a nice, quiet place to enjoy a meal, more of the right type of clientele would come back and spend more money. 

 

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 I'm have found that it doesn't matter how politely you approach a parent, it doesn't end with pleasantries. 

 

Most of the time, they just get pissy and do something to make trouble. 

 

I'm really don't know why a restaurant that doesn't allow kids is a bad thing. 

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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Nothing is to be gained by going to approach the parents. If junior is running around like a banshee, the parents don't care. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. So, unless you want to get into some pissing contest, I have never seen that help.

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 Yes. Better to leave it up to the manager to take care of it. Nobody likes to be told they're not parenting right.

Tinydancer wrote:

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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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Nothing is to be gained by going to approach the parents. If junior is running around like a banshee, the parents don't care. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. So, unless you want to get into some pissing contest, I have never seen that help.

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 Yes. Better to leave it up to the manager to take care of it. Nobody likes to be told they're not parenting right.

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 I WAS the manager. 

Yeah, the manager doing it is fine. But, patron to patron. The "scolded" parents then will just dig in. That doesn't work.

lilyofcourse wrote:

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Mellow Momma wrote:

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Lawyerlady wrote:

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lilyofcourse wrote:

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Have you ever had to aproach a parent about their disruptive child? I have. No matter how delicately you broach the situayion, it becomes huge ordeal.

The best thing would be to have a kid free night or hours or something like that.

I literally pulled a 2-3 year old from out of a huge window that they were kicking and throwing things from. I asked the parent to remove the child twice. When the child began throwing things and hitting people with the things I coaxed him out of the window and walked him and Togo boxes to his parents and asked them very quietly to leave.

It wasn't pretty. I was called all kinds of Things. Threatened and pushed.

We had to threaten to call the police.

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 Yes.  It's all in how you approach it.  But if there is already a policy in place about removing screaming children, you would say, "could you please take him outside until he calms down?  If you need to leave, the server will be happy to box your meal."

The one that really bugs me is parents that let kids run around the restaurant - that's dangerous.  I told many a parent and child, "the servers are carrying very heavy trays of food and they often can't see the little ones, I don't want them to get hurt so please have them sit down."  I received some dirty looks, but nobody ever yelled or made a scene, and the kid sat down.  

 

People make such big deals out of things that don't have to be. 

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 If needed, you could comp the meal of the disruptive patrons. It would make you money in the long run, as the people enjoying themselves would likely stay longer and spend more. Also, once your establishment became known for being a nice, quiet place to enjoy a meal, more of the right type of clientele would come back and spend more money. 

 

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 I'm have found that it doesn't matter how politely you approach a parent, it doesn't end with pleasantries. 

 

Most of the time, they just get pissy and do something to make trouble. 

 

I'm really don't know why a restaurant that doesn't allow kids is a bad thing. 

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 Then there is no point in having a policy at all if you are not willing to enforce it. 

lilyofcourse wrote:

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Oh it sets them off no matter who does it.

The ones who care would take the steps to keep the kids from being disruptive. The ones that are causing a problem don't see the problem to begin with.

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 Yes, I've had to speak to a parent. It doesn't matter if the rules are clearly posted.

flan

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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flan327 wrote:

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lilyofcourse wrote:

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Oh it sets them off no matter who does it.

The ones who care would take the steps to keep the kids from being disruptive. The ones that are causing a problem don't see the problem to begin with.

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 Yes, I've had to speak to a parent. It doesn't matter if the rules are clearly posted.

flan

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You can speak parent to parent if you wish, but it's a waste of time.  They aren't going to be like 'oh how rude of me, I am soooo sorry".  Maybe in  your dream fantasy but IRL, no. 

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Oh, I know that, but it's my job, and other patrons have a right to a pleasant visit.

flan 

Ok so, Jr is causing a scene. Mom and dad are blissfully ignoring Jr. Manager comes over and asks if everything is ok.

Mom and dad say everything is fine.

Manager leaves and comes back cause Jr is still beING disruptive. Asks if he can help. Mom and dad says no, Jr is just being Jr.

Manager offers to get boxes and help them get Jr ready to leave and mom and dad refuse. Saying Jr will be fine in a little bit.

Jr. is still crying and being loud. Manager says I'm going to have to ask you to.leave. Mom and dad are now offended because you are discriminating against them and their kid.

Mom and dad are now raising their voices. Manager is trying to defuse the situation, mom and dad are getting more pissed.

Finally you are telling them you will call the police if need be.

Meanwhile, three other tables are now recording the manager who is just trying to do their job for everyone's benefit and all that anyone can see on FB or the local news is someone hating on a kid.

If a parent 8s not parenting already, they don't see their problem and cause a real headache for everyone arouND them.

Tignanello wrote:

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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

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Yes. And, I have seen far too many times where a manager will come and they keep doing it and the manager just walks away and does nothing anyway. If you are going to be a manager, then manage! If not, then dont' have a policy you won't enforce anyway.

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 Well, managers have guidelines too.  When I worked in fine dining, we could ask for a child to be seated but we couldn't ask that they be removed from the restaurant.  And if a parent said no, or just kept letting their kid do whatever, we were not able to do anything.  Stupid?  Yes.  Reality?  Also yes.

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  I know.  There are managers who do really try.  However, there are a lot of conflict avoidant type managers who just pretend not to see. 

When my husband and I were in Hi. we were at a very nice restaurant in the hotel we were staying. A family with a baby who looked like they just got off the plane were seated close by. The manager had the waiters get their drinks fast and their orders ( my guess he was wanting to prevent a meltdown by tired kiddies) The baby started to melt down and the parents ignored it. The manager approached them said something then the mother got up and took the baby out. She never came back and her order was boxed up.

I know they were on vacation but the first day after a long flight you don't take a baby to a nice restaurant. He would have been happier getting a bath and have room service.