Have we reached a stage where restaurants and cafes need to put signs up to ask that families don’t allow their children to use loud phones and tablets that can be heard by other tables?
Last 3 times I’ve been out -
1st time - children watching Minions on a phone with volume turned up for the whole room to hear. Parent told them at one point to turn it down; they didn’t and it continued. Thought at least it would stop when their food came, but no- they propped it up and ate their food. No conversation or anything just loud Minions.
2nd time- 2 mum friends and 2 toddlers - one in a high chair. Phone on loud. Again thought at least it will stop when their food comes. No change when food arrives. The phone gets stuck in front of them while they eat. Again loud enough to impact on most tables in the room.
3rd time (today)- family arrive, including who I assume was the grandparent. No one spoke to the children. Very loud phone on playing music and talking, including while the waitress took their order (so loud I imagine it was tricky for the waitress to hear them). Luckily we were about to pay and leave.
Giving a tablet or phone to a child in a restaurant is one thing (although not something I do personally), but to not expect them to keep it no volume or with headphones so it doesn’t impact on others is surely totally selfish.
Are we really at a stage where adults can’t manage these things and have some respect for others and so restaurants and cafes need to set some rules around it?