Another lunch ruined by other peoples’ children

The parent isn't "navigating the world for the first time"?!!

I'm beginning to think, if you can't beat 'em join 'em. So I might start making tractor noises, lying on the floor, running round screeching, and see how I get on!!! Could be fun!!! I could claim to be senile, couldn't I?!

and in some places customers are drunk
Even at weddings, you need to watch your younger kids/GC's and I've seen kids playing and lying on the floor.

IMO, places that serve food, hot drinks should have notices up about this and pro-active staff but I think it does not happen. We rarely eat out and if we do, its often outside school hols etc and when on hols, we avoid peak periods

Exactly this.

And it’s a slow learning curve - a 7 year old who is well behaved in a cafe was probably a badly behaved 4 year old at one point.

You have to keep teaching them, exposing them to new environments and reinforcing social norms and behaviours, you can’t just take them to a cafe once and expect perfection!

Sorry it’s annoying for you OP but you were an annoying child once too.

She wasn't actually ignoring him, just ruffling his hair and telling anyone who would listen that he had been asleep for an hour and a half in the car.

So.... give the poor sod time to wake up then?!!

The effect is the same but tolerance is different of an adult who knows better and a child whose navigating the world for the first time!

Correct, they don't know better and that's why they need to be shown and taught by their parents.

As the parent, you manage it. Not rocket science. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt yada yada.

People: children need to learn how to behave in restaurants
Parents take children to restaurant to show them how to behave in one
people: no not like that

It must be brilliant sailing through life never getting annoyed.

Yes you're right, it could have been a waiter with a tray of hot drinks or hot food that stumbled. Lying on the floor the toddler was dangerously below the line of sight for adults.

Focus on managing your unruly children.

Focus on not being so easily annoyed.

Is the effect on others any different?

Children may not know any different but parents do. Zero excuse.

And how would you do that?

Of course not @Runnerinthenight but you have the capacity to know better, some children don’t.

"Exist", yes. Torture, no.

Would you be happy if I ran screaming round a restaurant while you were trying to eat in peace???!!!

They can. They can manage the behaviour of your children. You might think your angel's tractor noises are cute. I don't!

A very good exmaple why kids should be controlled in dangerous environments like this where there is often very hot drinks about

Yes, parents should control the kids better as OP stated.
However, it can be hard at times
We are lucky, possibly skilled and our kids and GC all behave to a very good extent.
I guess the OP is having a go at the parents, step-parents etc not bothering to control them

The reason we don't often eat out is because of kids like the OP stated and more so, adults who lack manners/decorum/etc

Sorry it should say because it wouldn't be fucking appropriate that's why

We know when we’re being played by the kids. As I say, today they didn’t finish but they had a bloody good go so they did have snacks later on. But it was meal after meal of im full and leaving two thirds to then snack. We weren’t going to make a rod for our back there

I'm so with you. I very nearly trod on a toddler lying on the floor behind my chair in our local cafe. It made me stumble and I spilt red hot coffee all down my arm and into my handbag. The parents were sitting two tables away and couldn't have been less interested when I pointed out what had happened. Restaurants and cafes are categorically not soft play areas or playgrounds. I wouldn't dream of plonking a dining table and chairs, with table cloth and glassware in the middle of a children's activity centre and requesting a three course meal. Why? Because it wouldn't be fucking inappropriate that's why!

I can absolutely be full from my main meal and then have room for dessert 10 minutes later 😋 🤣

No they’re not forced. Absolutely not but you can’t say I’m full and can’t eat anymore but then miraculously have room for dessert within 10 mins just doesn’t work. Today we had a roast. Kids had loads. I was fully aware they may struggle and they did, it wasn’t finished and they were full. I said don’t eat anymore you’ve had the veg and meat and done a really good job. They had Easter eggs 3-4 hours later no issue. We went through a stage tho of being “full” and within 15 mins they’d be asking for sweet treats. We clocked hang on a minute you’re too full to eat a proper meal but not snacking. That’s when we said if you’re full, it does mean you’re full. We’re not wasting good food or money.

OMG! This is a good 18-20 years ago. In a restaurant with extended family. The table behind us had 8-10 adults with 3 very young babies- guessing the eldest one was 3 months old. Cannot remember if adults were related or friends. They were left in their prams/pushchairs in a row making it difficult for my family having their backs on them wanting to leave table for visiting the loo etc.

Anyhow, all three babies started to cry. Not one of the parents checked on their babies.

What’s the point of going out when you are going to clog up the dining area with baby transportation and their cries? Again another thing you should revolve your life around your DC and not treat them like an inconvenience