Restaurant Has "No Screaming Children Sign"

[Peppergirl]

Ya'll have heard me froth-at-the-mouth regarding this topic before.

Consider this: How sad is it that we as a society have had to resort to actually putting up SIGNS, warning people to control their children?

Removing a screaming child from a restaurant should just be common knowledge/courtesy. How fucking sad.

And the comments disgust me. I actually had to stop reading.

My ex husband and I BOTH put in our damned time eating cold meals and /or taking it to go...all from having to take Danny outside in order to be punished or calmed down. It GRIPES MY ASS that it's becoming the rule more than the exception that kids are just allowed to do whatever they want in restaurants, and the parents expect everyone ELSE to fall in line and just deal with it.

Don't get me wrong - I feel and sympathize for parents who genuinely make the effort to, you know, PARENT their kids when they act up. I've been there, and I know all too well how it feels. But these entilement whore parents seem to becoming FAR too numerous lately. It's very, VERY disturbing.

[Boozy]

Consider this: How sad is it that we as a society have had to resort to actually putting up SIGNS, warning people to control their children?

That's what struck me, too.

Next up, in about 20 years: "Please refrain from openly masturbating at your table. Thank you."

[IDrinkaRum]

That's what struck me, too.

Next up, in about 20 years: "Please refrain from openly masturbating at your table. Thank you."

Thank you Boozy!

That ... just made my day (and it's only 7:39 AM where I'm at).

Also, I'm very glad I wasn't drinking anything when I read that.

Maybe there will be more people willing to discipline their kids once they realize not everyone is going to be putting up with the misbehavior of their children?

[Lace Neil Singer]

O_o Scary thought.

I think that a lot of the problems with brats in restaurant stems from the fact that so few parents now seem to want to teach their kids proper dinner ettiquette. You know; how to sit up at table; ask for stuff to be passed; use indoor voices; ask if they can get down... all that stuff that used to be taught and now is largely ignored cuz parents prefer to let their kids eat in front of the TV.

My parents never let up on table manners and behaving at dinner; the only day we were allowed to eat off trays in front of the TV was Saturday. Therefore, when they took us to restaurants, it basically became an extension of the dinner table so we did all those things automatically; coupled with the fact that we respected our parents and the rules they laid down, and knew the consequences of stepping out of line. Now tho, sadly, that kind of thing is no longer the norm. If when out at a restaurant, I see kids behaving like that, I will make a point of telling the parents how well behaved their kids are.

[draggar]

When I was a child I knew that if I misbehaved or acted out I would get my ass beat when I got home (in the form of a spanking). If I started to act out of line I always got that little pinch in the back of the neck (just above the hairline). My sister and I usually behaved.

Now, my sister has a 3 year old son and he (well, form what I've heard, I haven't seen him since he was born) is one of the most behaved 3 year olds out there. My sister is a good parent and she and her husband are consitent. Rewards for being good (not spoiling, mind you) and punishments for being bad (I don't think they've spanked him, and I don't think they will - there are better ways of punishing).

[drunkenwildmage]

I was reading this topic, and seeing some the comments on them made me realize something. A couple weeks ago, my wife, her grandmother, and myself went to a Carrabbas Italian Grill for dinner, and about 1/2 way through dinner my wife pointed out how well behaved the children (looked like about a 10 year old boy, and maybe 4 year old girl) was at a table near to us. Reading the comments made me realize is that that It used to be, that in a nice site down restaurant, well behaved children was the norm, and not the exception, but it's the opposite today, and because of that, my wife pointed out that family, and that the owners of the restaurant in the OP felt it was necessary to hang that sign.




About 3 or 4 years ago, we had a fight break out locally at another restaurant because of a screaming child... The Cliff notes version of it, a lady (in her 60s I think) "Asked" the family in the table next to them to quiet their screaming child. The mother of said child told her to "mind her own f*&@ing business" and went back to eating..Some words where exchange, and next thing you know the mother was pounding on the older lady...Cops where called in, and I believe the Mother got 6 months in jail over it...

[anakhouri]

http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=13121508

Apparently this sign is a direct and personal attack on the mother of an autistic child.

At least the comments on this one are reasonable.

[Rapscallion]

There are plenty of places where children and the pester-power-pound (dollar for the colonies) are sought and welcomed. As a single male without descendants, I expect that I would find myself unwelcome in such a place due to paedophile hysteria. I have no problem with expecting a similar attitude in the opposite direction.

If I go out to dine at a restaurant, I wouldn't expect to hear an ear-shattering wail from the next table just because a child there wanted attention. Go to Chuck-e-Cheese or Wacky warehouse or similar where it's expected.

I don't mind children. However, I don't see why a relaxing experience for me should be marred by badly behaved children carrying on in a place where it shouldn't be allowed. More restaurants like that, please!

As to the autism story, I'd be willing to wager money that the mother in question went out looking for a fight and got one, and then was selective about what she reported.

"She looked at me and said, ‘I cannot believe you even take him in public. You must be the only one that does,'" said Chambliss.

That smells of fabrication.

Rapscallion

[telecom_goddess]

Ya my kids always behaved when out in public in general, I did NOT put up with that fake screaming crap.

On another note...I tend to run into the screaming/screeching kids/toddlers/brats on the goddamn train while commuting home. What the hell? and there is NOTHING I can do about them either. They won't throw them off the train but I really wish they would. Without delay. One screech, get a warning, two screeches you're OUT. No argument.

[Lace Neil Singer]

http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=13121508

Apparently this sign is a direct and personal attack on the mother of an autistic child.

At least the comments on this one are reasonable.

Strange; a mutual friend of my fiance and I has an autistic child... and he's perfectly able to behave himself. I have Aspergers, and my parents taught me how to behave myself in public. A lot of people would consider reading at the table to be rude, but since I was fine if I had my book with me, my parents let me have it.

There were also commenters in the original article who said pretty much the same thing; apparently, being autistic means that you can get away with appalling behaviour. The mother should give her child a book, a colouring book, an ipod and headphones depending on what he needs... or, perhaps, stop forcing her child into a situation that he can't cope with, just cuz of her selfish needs.

They won't throw them off the train but I really wish they would. Without delay. One screech, get a warning, two screeches you're OUT. No argument.

And also for aeroplanes, too. One screech, warning. Two, and the child and mother get handed a parachute. XD

[IDrinkaRum]

http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=13121508

Apparently this sign is a direct and personal attack on the mother of an autistic child.

At least the comments on this one are reasonable.

OMG.

As the mother of an Autistic child ... I. have. no. words. that. can. be. typed. right. now. (Child is hovering near me and she can read )

Can't these parent use their brains ... just once? Is it really that hard?

I bring along a tote bag full of stuff to entertain said child. The tote bag has books, coloring books, games for her handheld video game player (either her Gameboy or DS), a few stuffed animals, crayons. It does not take a rocket scientist or brain surgeon or Stephen Hawking to figure out that kids get bored in restaurants and when they get bored they end up screaming and talking and bouncing on seats. Kids need/like to be entertained. How hard is it for the parents to bring something along?

My daughter is VERY well behaved. I've had compliments from other diners at how well she sat at the table, how she was polite with her words, etc. I've even had patrons tell them they didn't even know we had a child until after we got up from our table and were making our way out of the restaurant as she was so well-behaved.

This is what makes me mad: PARENTS USING THEIR CHILD'S DISABILITY AS AN EXCUSE NOT TO TEACH THEM MANNERS. All children can be taught. All. of. them.

Do your job parents!

[AdminAssistant]

Strange; a mutual friend of my fiance and I has an autistic child... and he's perfectly able to behave himself. I have Aspergers, and my parents taught me how to behave myself in public. A lot of people would consider reading at the table to be rude, but since I was fine if I had my book with me, my parents let me have it.

And also for aeroplanes, too. One screech, warning. Two, and the child and mother get handed a parachute. XD

Yeah, some people may think it's not polite for my sister to let my 5 year old nephew play his DS during dinner - but it generally keeps him occupied and quiet.

After my first flight experience, I understand why babies cry and screech on airplanes. It's freakin' scary. Once the plane is in the air, yeah, the kiddies should quiet down. But during take off/landing? A little crying is understandable.

[Akasa]

Take off landing, ok... but the 8 hour WHOLE TRIP?!

Yes I have been on one of those flights.


I'm another one of those diners who will compliment parents of well behaved kids. I mean hell if I didn't notice your kid, or noticed your kid was well behaved I'll say something if I get a chance. You deserve some props for doing things right.

[Peppergirl]

Yeah, some people may think it's not polite for my sister to let my 5 year old nephew play his DS during dinner - but it generally keeps him occupied and quiet.

My youngest was/is ADHD. Those hand-held games were a godsend to me and my family. Granted, we got some strange looks - like I was a bad mother for letting him play it at the table, but it was so nice to be able to keep him occupied and not wanting to bounce around and scream in the restaurant.

Not that I let him do that anyway, but it was a welcome break for me not to have to constantly correct him or take him out.

[Evandril]

Both my kids are ADHD, with my oldest having Ausbergers as well...and when they acted up, we took them out of the public place we were in *shrugs* I very much agree with the owner on this one

For aircraft flights....Give the kids something to chew on! Kids don't understand why their ears start hurting while they are flying...they just know they HURT...so they cry. Chewing on something will help equalize the pressure, and make the kids happier. If you see a parent who's kids are crying, not a bad thing to mention, if you can do so politely.