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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Refused a table at restaurant for having kids

308 replies

marissac · 02/02/2011 21:23

I'm thinking of going to my local news paper to name and shame this restaurant, but would like your wise opinion on it before I do.

Today was the eve of Chinese New Year, my friends decided we should have lunch at a certain Chinese restaurant in Canary Wharf to celebrate. They et extremely busy at lunchtimes so I phoned ahead to make a reservation. Greeted by the maitre d with usual formalities, asked me what time I would like the table for etc. Then when I said it was for a party of 4 adults and 3 kids he paused. Then proceeded to tell mr they were fully booked for lunch today and that they will jot be able to fit us in AT ALL (which was strange since he was asking for my name time and phone number just a minute ago). Then I heard a female voice in the background say that there is a table free until 2, to which I immediately replied I'll take it, we will be done and your table vacated no later than 1:30.

Lo and behold this male waiter then said "don't take this the wrong way, but many customers have complained about noisy children during lunch like it's a party. We get a lot of business people here at lunchtimes. We don't mind children on the weekends, just not during the week." (please note these aren't his EXACT words in the exact order)

I could NOT believe what I heard. And to paint a clearer picture, this is our local Chinese restaurant which we have frequented roughly once a week for the past 3 yrs. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. I will sure be taking my business elsewhere, but would like everyone to be aware of the appalling attitude and service. My kids are never rowdy or unruly, yet they are being talked about like they animals that should be left on a leash tied to a lamppost.

Sorry for the rant. I'm still fuming. Do you think it's worth going to local press? Thanks for listening and for any input.

OP posts:

MadamDeathstare · 02/02/2011 21:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

compo · 02/02/2011 21:26

Well canary wharf is in the city isn't it? So they probably do get most of their business from city types in the week
it's a recession, hard times and all that
do you really go to the restaurant once a week?!

Original poster

marissac · 02/02/2011 21:27

Sorry about typos, darn iPhone :(

OP posts:

HingCogNeeto · 02/02/2011 21:27

shrug

BuzzLightBeer · 02/02/2011 21:28

some restaurants aren't suitable for kids. This is news?

PaisleyLeaf · 02/02/2011 21:29

I can understand where they're coming from.

BendyBob · 02/02/2011 21:31

Yabu - some people like to eat/drink in adult surroundings and they are catering for them.

MadamDeathstare · 02/02/2011 21:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Vallhala · 02/02/2011 21:33

YANBU to be annoyed but they ABR as the bulk of their custom will indeed come from businesspeople expecting (and lets be honest, almost undoubtedly preferring) an adult environment.

The problem is once they have made the rule they can't have exceptions, even you and your ell-behaved DC or someone will be russhing to the Standard complaining that their DC are discriminated against, after all, the restaurant let some other family dine there...

Aside from that, as a Londoner who worked in the city for years, I would prefer to eatin/entertain clients/colleagues in a restaurant without children running about in it... because although yours might not, you can bet your bottom dollar that someone's will.

porcamiseria · 02/02/2011 21:34

annoying but tough titties I'm afraid, if they cater to a business clientele they have the right to refuse you. complain to them and get a free lunch instead, as the papers wont care!!!!

Vallhala · 02/02/2011 21:34

Oh gosh, typos galore, sorry.

canyou · 02/02/2011 21:36

I guess in a business area they are catering to the business clientèle and those who are having a working lunch would not want DC running around making noise bumping into wait staff who pour cream dessert onto silk dress [I am not saying yours would but many do]
YANBU to be upset but this is not unusual ime.

Original poster

marissac · 02/02/2011 21:37

I don't think it's acceptable to take our money at a time that suits them (ie the weekends) and not when it doesn't (ie lunchtimes). If their intention is to be a working lunch restaurant, of which there are several in Canary Wharf, then they have every right to do but should make that clear from the outset. In fact they are situated right next to one. Much muh dearer but if a quiet environment is what they want, then they can GO TO that environment instead of expecting a restaurant to change to suit their needs. hence people will never think to take their kids to Nobu or the Berkeley.

Madamdeathstare you have a point, perhaps a letter to management first will suffice.

Compo yes they do receive our custom every week, either take away or dine in. And majority of their customers residents in the area as there are far more residents than workers.

OP posts:

BlackSwan · 02/02/2011 21:37

YANBU. Children are people too. Name and shame.

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726 · 02/02/2011 21:37

I can understand that you're upset OP, but the restaurant's business customers are their bread and butter. I can understand that they wouldn't want kids in the restaurant at lunchtimes.

If I were a parent, I wouldn't want to take my kids to a restaurant where they couldn't happily chat and sing and be kids... it may not be a conducive atmosphere for other people though.

Kids don't have to be everywhere all the time. It's not a newsworthy story, just a fat of life.

PatriciaHolm · 02/02/2011 21:38

They've had a lot of complaints; not, clearly, about your children, but others, who may well have been badly behaved. Financially, it would be better business for them to lose you, but retain their many business lunchers, than vice versa. He was polite to you and explained their viewpoint - shame that you couldn't have your planned lunch, but Canary Wharf is full of restaurants, go somewhere where you would be welcome!

BlackSwan · 02/02/2011 21:38

If they're so proud of their policy, let them defend it to the local paper.

JaneS · 02/02/2011 21:40

Eh? Why on earth shouldn't they take your money at a time that suits them? Do you complain about them having the nerve to choose their own opening hours, too?

AxisofEvil · 02/02/2011 21:41

Canary Wharf has a very different vibe weekends. During the week, particularly lunchtimes, it is totally business orientated but weekends is leisure/family orientated. So not saying it's right but I'm not that surprised.

CockularDepravity · 02/02/2011 21:41

YABU. They can refuse whoever they like and if their perception is that the kids will be screaming, entitled, noisy brats then I can understand why they're refusing you. Go somewhere else.

Oh, and writing to the paper? Give me a break. Accept they don't want your custom and go elsewhere.

Original poster

marissac · 02/02/2011 21:42

Thanks for the input - you're right i'm just annoyed that they get to tell me when they want my money and when they don't. IMO they can't have it both ways, you are either a family-friendly restaurant or you're not. Simple as.

When I worked in the city if we ever had to take working lunches we would go to restaurants designed for that specific purpose. And there are plenty in this area.

OP posts:

Millenniumbug · 02/02/2011 21:44

Hey, I've put a similar thread on here this very eve!!!! YADNBU - near me is a very nice-looking holiday park with a big sign, "For adults only" Beneath it is a smaller sign, "Dogs welcome." It drives me mad - people providing holidays, meals etc should not be able to discriminate against anyone. Hurrah OP (You know the saying, 2 Great Minds ...etc)

LadyBiscuit · 02/02/2011 21:46

I have a feeling I know exactly what restaurant you mean and I would be very, very unhappy to have you at the next table. I don't want my business lunch interrupted by your children, sorry.

And those businesses depend entirely on their weekday trade to survive - if they get a reputation as a child-friendly restaurant then people won't go there.

Original poster

marissac · 02/02/2011 21:48

Milleniumbug - lol I think yours is a lot worse. At least the restaurant had no signs!

OP posts:

pigletmania · 02/02/2011 21:49

What an appaling attitude, it just goes to show how anti children this counry really is, you would not find that across the continent or in Cyprus where my family is from. I would not be taking my custom there either.

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