Restaurant says NO to screaming children!

[kitten645]

I work at a grocery store. Unfortunately there are health codes that don't allow animals other than service dogs into most public places with food. Ie grocery & restaurants. I know in CA there are many restaurants that have outdoor seating that you can allow your pet to sit with you or on the other side of a gate right next to your table.
At my grocery, I work in a very large non-food housewares sort of area and I offer to doggie sit in my "non-food" section because it's separated by a short flight of stairs so I don't technically sell food.
It's a REALLY big store and everyday I hear kids screaming like banshees for LONG periods of time. I think the parents sometimes become desensitized to it sort of like the "mommymommymommymommymommymommy" syndrome. For those of us who don't live in that world, it is really jarring and unnerving. .

[kitten645]

PS I ALWAYS compliment parents and kids that are well behaved. It happens so rarely!

[Randi]

I am for this policy and I'm also for a no cell phone policy in restaurants. There's nothing more annoying than having to listen to screaming children or people blabbering on their cell phones! There should of course be restaurants where children are allowed, but let people make their choices!

In fact, on flights there should be a section for families with children also, so the rest of us can have some peace and quiet.

[moosmom]

Too bad stores don't have sound proof rooms that parents and their children can sit and eat.

It's really too bad that it's come to this, though. When I was growing up, as my Dad would say, "We could take you kids ANYWHERE!!" That meant if we even thought of putting up a fuss, we'd get "IT" when we got home. But that is from a totally different generation.

[Kirsten]

We do eat out with our kids, and they will be kids, but we don't tolerate screaming and running around in a restaurant. We've taught them that from the beginning, and they know that's the way it is. We actually get lots of compliments on our kids' behavior when we do eat out.

That's the point! But unfortunately, it's becoming more and more popular for parents to tolerate their kids behaving like monsters; at least here in Germany. In return, it is unpopular to say something against it; if you do, you will be labelled a child hater immediately.

A while ago, we had a similar discussion here in Germany (about a restaurant with a restricted area for screaming kids, so that the guests could enjoy their meals in peace), but parents were furious.

I don't know what's wrong with children these days (or with their parents). I have to listen to screaming kids every day; they're playing on the street outside my house, and it would be nothing wrong with that if they we'ren't screaming ALL THE TIME, and really loud. Even now, at 8:30 pm and already dark outside, I can hear them screaming, and none of their parents is telling them to behave. I think the generation that's currently brough up will be a reckless one 'cause they're not taught to respect others.

[Cataholic]

I like peace and quiet. I think I have always had a real aversion to noise, any kind of noise. I can still remember the early days of J's life and the live band practice going on next door. As a homeowner, I should be able to exist in my own home, peacefully.

I don't see the reason/need to single out screaming kids/babies. Frankly, of all of society's 'ill behaviours", this is the group of people least likely responsible for their own.

I will take a crying baby over an obnoxious adult any day of the week. I can count on less than one hand the number of times I have been out to dinner/show/movie, and had my time disturbed by screaming children. I would need many more hands to add up the offenses caused by "adults". For some reason, we seem less tolerant of the little ones.

[Bonny]

I have seen the dirty evil looks people will give each other while dining out, if the cell phone rings or a child is acting up. There are choices to be made. Get up & move to another table or booth or leave the establishment if you can't take it & go home & make yourself a peanut butter & jelly sandwich & eat it in peace although there is a dog that may be pestering you for a nibble.

[Catlady711]

Based on these polls, and the comments here, I'd say the majority supports the restaurant's ban on screaming children.


http://community.polls.todaymoms.com...aming-children

Should restaurants have the right to ban 'screaming children'? After a restaurant in North Carolina stirred up controversy by posting a sign warning that “screaming children will NOT be tolerated,” many parents have objected to the policy. Do you think restaurants have the right?

Total of 63,952 votes

92.7%
Yes
59,312 votes

5.1%
No
3,277 votes

2.1%
Maybe
1,363 votes



http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dail...staurants.html

Yea or nay: Should restaurants ban screaming children?

84.06% --I’m trying to eat in peace. If you can’t control your kids, then the drive-through is for you.

14.01%--C’mon, give the parents a break. They’re doing the best they can.

1.93%--I think disruptive children add to the atmosphere.

[Laura's Babies]

Lordy, you should have seen the kid at wal mart today, crawling around on the floor blocking people getting by.. he was about 4 to 5 years old, having himself a whopping good time and disrupting EVERYBODY trying to shop! His Grandma (or older mother) was there telling him to stop..over and over and over while he happily ignored her! Once she saw the people who had to stop backed up she grabbed him and told him to get over here, hold on the the buggy and NOT TO MOVE! 2 minutes later he was doing it again while she talked to friends she had ran into and he's crawling on the lower shelves also. I later had to pass back through that way and he and his 3 sisters were running without regard to where they were or what they were doing! They were running all over the place! Mom or grandma was nowhere to be seen..

Yet, if one had gotten hurt, they would want to sue wal mart!

[Medusa]

I think crying kids aren't really the issue; it's when parents allow it to continue w/o removing the child so as not to disturb others. If there's a cranky baby, I'd tend to be more lenient. Poor Mom and/or Dad are trying to have a nice meal and baby is cranky. They don't want to leave. I get it. I think we're talking more about the downright brats who are allowed to get mouthy or run wild in stores and restaurants. We've all seen, haven't we? The worst is when you're stuck on a plane w/a bratty kid whose parents think everything s/he does is adorable, such as the two kids who ran up and down the aisle on my son's flight home to L.A. They actually wrote w/magic markers on the walls of the plane and the parents did nothing. Zero. Neither did the flight attendants, probably b/c they'd end up getting sued. I'm still proud of the self control my son had by not tearing into the parents for that one.

[sparks19]

Oh I'd like to see equal removal across the board. talking loudly on a cell phone and disrupting everyone? get a warning and if you don't pipe down then you should be asked to leave. Have a child running around? one warning... then asked to leave. Causing a scene, an argument etc that is carrying across the restaurant? one warning... and so on

yep adults are more disruptive most of the time and I wish they would ask them to leave too.

BUT that being said... there is NO reason your child should be screaming and carrying on in a restaurant and you don't do anything about it. It's not about "don't want to hear screaming children then don't go out" that's ridiculous. It's not that difficult to teach a child how to behave in public and if they have an off night then there is no reason you can't pack up and take them home. YOU are responsible for your child and their actions. People shouldn't have to leave because you don't do your job as a parent (not YOU as in anyone specific... YOU as in the parents that don't care that their child is disruptive)

Like medusa I think most people wouldn't be upset if it were an infant crying or what have you. I think most people are referring to kids who are old enough to KNOW better. children who run around the restaurant or throw temper tantrums at the table or on the floor just screaming and yelling. nothing annoys me more than parents that deal with this with a soft "OH honey... please get up and sit in your chair. if you don't then Dora will be sad" or some stupid nonsense like that. Tell your child to get up and get in their chair and stay put or take them outside and deal with it or just go home. make the rule and stick to it. they will learn. it's not hard. Everyone else shouldn't have to leave because you won't be a parent.

NOW that being said... if you go to friendlies or chuck e cheese... well then if you don't like screaming kids then yeah you should leave lol. but at a regular restaurant NO it's not up to you to avoid misbehaving kids and parents who don't care.

I don't blame the kids though. it's not their fault. They are just being kids who are allowed to do what they do. they don't have rules or boundaries and they aren't going to learn it on their own. It's the parents fault hands down.

as for if the restaurant should be allowed or not... of COURSE they should be allowed. this is america no? they h ave the right to refuse service. It is their gamble to take on whether they can handle the loss of business or not... but in this case it doesn't seem to be losing them much in the way of business. I would go there... and take my child who knows what will be tolerated when we are at a restaurant

[Catlady711]

Oh I'd like to see equal removal across the board. talking loudly on a cell phone and disrupting everyone? get a warning and if you don't pipe down then you should be asked to leave. Have a child running around? one warning... then asked to leave. Causing a scene, an argument etc that is carrying across the restaurant? one warning... and so on

yep adults are more disruptive most of the time and I wish they would ask them to leave too.

BUT that being said... there is NO reason your child should be screaming and carrying on in a restaurant and you don't do anything about it. It's not about "don't want to hear screaming children then don't go out" that's ridiculous. It's not that difficult to teach a child how to behave in public and if they have an off night then there is no reason you can't pack up and take them home. YOU are responsible for your child and their actions. People shouldn't have to leave because you don't do your job as a parent (not YOU as in anyone specific... YOU as in the parents that don't care that their child is disruptive)

Like medusa I think most people wouldn't be upset if it were an infant crying or what have you. I think most people are referring to kids who are old enough to KNOW better. children who run around the restaurant or throw temper tantrums at the table or on the floor just screaming and yelling. nothing annoys me more than parents that deal with this with a soft "OH honey... please get up and sit in your chair. if you don't then Dora will be sad" or some stupid nonsense like that. Tell your child to get up and get in their chair and stay put or take them outside and deal with it or just go home. make the rule and stick to it. they will learn. it's not hard. Everyone else shouldn't have to leave because you won't be a parent.

NOW that being said... if you go to friendlies or chuck e cheese... well then if you don't like screaming kids then yeah you should leave lol. but at a regular restaurant NO it's not up to you to avoid misbehaving kids and parents who don't care.

I don't blame the kids though. it's not their fault. They are just being kids who are allowed to do what they do. they don't have rules or boundaries and they aren't going to learn it on their own. It's the parents fault hands down.

as for if the restaurant should be allowed or not... of COURSE they should be allowed. this is america no? they h ave the right to refuse service. It is their gamble to take on whether they can handle the loss of business or not... but in this case it doesn't seem to be losing them much in the way of business. I would go there... and take my child who knows what will be tolerated when we are at a restaurant

Amen!

[Sirrahsim]

Oh I'd like to see equal removal across the board. talking loudly on a cell phone and disrupting everyone? get a warning and if you don't pipe down then you should be asked to leave. Have a child running around? one warning... then asked to leave. Causing a scene, an argument etc that is carrying across the restaurant? one warning... and so on

yep adults are more disruptive most of the time and I wish they would ask them to leave too.

BUT that being said... there is NO reason your child should be screaming and carrying on in a restaurant and you don't do anything about it. It's not about "don't want to hear screaming children then don't go out" that's ridiculous. It's not that difficult to teach a child how to behave in public and if they have an off night then there is no reason you can't pack up and take them home. YOU are responsible for your child and their actions. People shouldn't have to leave because you don't do your job as a parent (not YOU as in anyone specific... YOU as in the parents that don't care that their child is disruptive)

Like medusa I think most people wouldn't be upset if it were an infant crying or what have you. I think most people are referring to kids who are old enough to KNOW better. children who run around the restaurant or throw temper tantrums at the table or on the floor just screaming and yelling. nothing annoys me more than parents that deal with this with a soft "OH honey... please get up and sit in your chair. if you don't then Dora will be sad" or some stupid nonsense like that. Tell your child to get up and get in their chair and stay put or take them outside and deal with it or just go home. make the rule and stick to it. they will learn. it's not hard. Everyone else shouldn't have to leave because you won't be a parent.

NOW that being said... if you go to friendlies or chuck e cheese... well then if you don't like screaming kids then yeah you should leave lol. but at a regular restaurant NO it's not up to you to avoid misbehaving kids and parents who don't care.

I don't blame the kids though. it's not their fault. They are just being kids who are allowed to do what they do. they don't have rules or boundaries and they aren't going to learn it on their own. It's the parents fault hands down.

as for if the restaurant should be allowed or not... of COURSE they should be allowed. this is america no? they h ave the right to refuse service. It is their gamble to take on whether they can handle the loss of business or not... but in this case it doesn't seem to be losing them much in the way of business. I would go there... and take my child who knows what will be tolerated when we are at a restaurant

What she said

[cassiesmom]

I heard about this on the radio this morning and the DJ said what I was thinking... Some restaurants are just more family-friendly than others. If you're at a place where a steak costs $40 that might not be the most appropriate place for small children. But if everyone is hungry and you want to eat out - some restaurants are totally doable for families with children. If the family needs to eat out in order to all be around the table together, by all means go for it. They also talked about other "adult intrusions" like a conversation at the theater or during a movie, someone talking loudly on a cell phone, that sort of thing.

[CatsMeow]

Yapping on the cell is bad.


I don't think there should be No kids, because not all kids are like that. But maybe, No kids under 8 years old. Cause most eight year olds don't scream in a restaurant... I hopr.