To think parents should bring babies to restaurants?

This..A quiet, unobtrusive child or baby doesn't bother anyone.

But babies aren't really suited to sitting up at a restaurant.

*edit

I was referring to the parents feeling alienated not the baby

@SwingTheMonkey you're a pleasant individual aren't you. While it's lovely to hear you have it all figured out, calling a babies cry a horrible noise is a bit odd don't you think considering that's the only way they can communicate with us. FYI not every child comes from a two parent household with the luxury of whisking their DC away whenever they cry. Not everyone shares your rigid perspective

🤣🤣 love this comment!

I agree, OP. But I also think people with loud voices, bad fashion sense or who drink too much should stay at home too.

I also wouldn't allow large groups of more than 4. They always make more noise than they realise.

Teens too. They'd also be banned. When I see teens dining out in nice places, I always think "I was scrubbing tables in my local pub at your age and a meal out once in a blue moon was a Big Mac". I just don't think that sort of entitlement should be encouraged.

Elderly people too. Often loud and get in the way.

Mean tippers.

In fact, the list of people I'd allow to eat out if I was in charge is startlingly small.

And even then I'd insist on a 10 metre exclusion zone around my table.

Depends on the restaurant. Some are aimed at families - babies fine there. More adult restaurants? Nah. I'd never inflict my children on other people like that.

Your child is doing something wrong. They don’t know it’s wrong so it’s up to you to police it. Thank fuck not every parent is like you!

me. I think it depends very much on the family and the restaurant. Casual dining, baby's needs being addressed, sure. Quieter environment, screaming child nope.

I prefer that they aren’t there but I’m ok as long as they aren’t screaming and the idiot parents don’t take them outside.

Nice that I don’t let other peoples annoyance get to me when my child isn’t doing anything wrong?

I’m sorry that a child’s noise amplifies in your hearing aid, but I don’t see how that is my problem when we’re in a public space.

What should I do with him then?
Half the reason you get kids misbehaving in restaurants is because their parents don’t take them out enough. Because of people like you that huff and tut and make them feel bad. We always take baby out (bedtime allowing). No regrets or apologies.

Unless the baby is Stewie from Family Guy, I really doubt they're capable of emotions such as alienation.

Two weeks ago, I was at the local Indian at 9:30pm and I counted 4 young babies (no older than 6 months old) in their prams. One group of 8 had 3 babies between them in prams. Made it difficult for the waiting staff do their job well as they use food trolleys to deliver the warming plates, food etc.

Exactly. Finally some common sense.

This. I do want to be able to hear/talk.

Another one of these absurd threads and a question that has been raised so many times ... yawwwnnnn

Get a sitter?

Depends on the restaurant. Our local food court sushi buffet or 3pm at frankie and bennys. Go for it. 8pm on Saturday at Michelin star restaurant? No thanks.

I’ve had 4 children and taken them out to restaurants from a very young age. When they fussed or cried, we took them out to calm down before returning. Not once did we feel isolated, what a strange suggestion.
Most people don’t mind doing this simple thing because babies and children crying is a horrible noise. The ones lacking compassion are those refusing to remove a noisy child and preventing those around them who aren’t making a horrible noise, from enjoying their experience.

It depends.

5pm at the local pub restaurant, no problem.

8pm at a fancy Italian, completely inconsiderate.

I have nothing against it! I'd rather eat my meal next to a baby than a dog 🙄

I don’t have an issue with this as long as the parents are aware and not letting their kids just run around and do whatever. If you have a problem with it then just don’t eat out or at adults only places - the children have every right to be there and so do the parent . People’s tolerance levels are so low these days

Some of us don’t have any family or help at all so have no choice if we want to celebrate an occasion! 😅

Having said that though we always eat very early - 5/6pm and try to entertain our babies and toddlers with colouring/sticker books where we can rather than screens!

When we were childfree we’d deliberately eat out after 8pm and in nicer places to avoid children so surely this is an option if you really don’t like them?

What else are they meant to do with them?

@SwingTheMonkey
Don't be daft, of course babies aren't concerned about alienation- that's the parents job! Babies may not understand the concept, but their parents certainly feel the weight of judgement in public spaces which is incredibly isolating. Perhaps it's worth considering the whole family's experience instead of just focusing on your own. Bloody hell, where's the compassion gone in this world