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AIBU?

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Original poster

To get pissed off at children running around in restaurants?

999 replies

CelticPixie · 07/04/2013 20:29

We went out for lunch today and there was a large group sat behind us. It was obviously a family celebration with parents, grandparents, kids etc. A little boy from the group who must have been around two was running around our part of the restaurant screaming and shouting and getting under the feet of waiting staff carrying hot food etc. He also kept approaching people at other tables and kept asking them if they were having their dinner and what they were having. At no point did his parents do anything to stop him and they just kept on smiling at him, but it was obvious that he was getting on everyone else's nerves.

Its a family friendly place and there were lots of other small children in there but he was the only one running about and being a nuisance. I will NOT allow my DDs to run about and disrupt others people's meals and it pisses me off that other people have so little consideration for anyone but themselves. If mine wants to go to the loo one of us takes them, if they are bored we take them out to the play area. It's really not hard is it?

OP posts:
Owllady · 09/04/2013 15:34

People can be terribly intolerant even if your children are behaving themselves though a lot of the time, even in 'family friendly' restaurants. I do think there is a still very much a children should be seen and not heard mentality in this country

fwiw my boyus will sit at the table as they are motivated by food but they will still wind their sister up and play a game of who can shout bogeys the loudest Hmm

MsBella · 09/04/2013 15:34

I've never been annoyed by other peoples children, ever...
If fact I wouldn't be annoyed by someone coming and chatting to me, this is the world there are all sorts of people...

SauvignonBlanche · 09/04/2013 15:35

it takes a village to raise a child.
Ok I don't go as far as to say let the kids rule but its ok to wander about a bit and stretch your legs surely.
I would never let mine run around but a few paces isn't going to hurt anyone. oh yes it could!

Maybe the whole village should tell the child to sit still or tell the lazy fucking parents to take the child for a walk? Hmm

HazleNutt · 09/04/2013 15:35

bad behaviour IN YOUR OPINION! We all have different opinions! If its causing no harm I don't see a problem

Interstingly most people share the opinion that being unable to sit at the table, wandering around in restaurants and chatting to random people is, indeed, bad behaviour.

And you've been told many times that this behaviour is causing harm, it is annoying and can be dangerous to your DC, other patrons and restaurant employees.

PeaceandFUCKINGLove · 09/04/2013 15:35

Its you who needs to grow up Bella, and start being a decent mother.

exoticfruits · 09/04/2013 15:35

My brother was exactly the same with his dog because, apparently, 'everyone likes dogs and he is doing no harm'. It was an embarrassment to me because it was quite clear that not everyone 'likes dogs'. Luckily he got married and now his wife makes sure the dog is under control and keeps with them.

5eggstremelychocaletymadeggs · 09/04/2013 15:35

Noise/tantrums etc that are being dealt with by the parent by distraction, firm words, removing them if it goes on too long all get my sympathy.

A child being left to wander round creating a hazard annoys the hell.out of me, not least because i dont want to see a small child getying burnt/scalded. That is not a nice thing to witness and i would feel awful for the child just seeing it, imagine how awful the waitress would feel? :(

MsBella · 09/04/2013 15:35

Youthecat, not about this but about my other parenting techniques, non mainstream views etc. Nonody has ever complained about this before.

usualsuspect · 09/04/2013 15:36

Another smug MN thread.

exoticfruits · 09/04/2013 15:37

It is unfortunate that you can't actually have the DCs and show the mother how it can be done!

brdgrl · 09/04/2013 15:37

Haha, exotic, now you've brought dogs into it, this is really going to kick off!

MsBella · 09/04/2013 15:37

Seriously how fucking dare you, I am a decent mother how dare you... can't think of a more upsetting insult fucking VILE

morethanpotatoprints · 09/04/2013 15:37

I think Bella is winding you all up, good and proper.

Gobshites Grin, because a child gets up out of their seat and speaks to somebody not from their party.

I'm glad I'm not a selfish old bint, and capable of being nice and sociable to a toddler.

anklebitersmum · 09/04/2013 15:37

Owl you do have a point, as a big family we tend to strike fear into the hearts of fellow diners on arrival.

I am that smug parent by the end of the evening though Wink

YouTheCat · 09/04/2013 15:37

But, Bella, doesn't that make you think? Maybe? Just a little bit?

SauvignonBlanche · 09/04/2013 15:37

bad behaviour IN YOUR OPINION! We all have different opinions! If its causing no harm I don't see a problem
A child wandering round has the potential to cause harm though they may not actually do so.

5eggstremelychocaletymadeggs · 09/04/2013 15:38

There is nothing smug about not allowing a toddler to wander round in a restaraunt, its for their own safety fgs.

LaQueen · 09/04/2013 15:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

exoticfruits · 09/04/2013 15:38

It isn't a smug MN thread-it is reasonable parents who don't let their DCs do as they like in inappropriate places. They would behave with me or they would go home!

usualsuspect · 09/04/2013 15:39

These threads are always full of the smug types on MN.

With their wonderfully behaved MN children.

5eggstremelychocaletymadeggs · 09/04/2013 15:40

I dont mind talking to toddlers, i love them actually and if i catch the eye of one in a highchair or on the bus i will smile, wave etc and be friendly but allowing them to wander round in a restaraunt is dangerous.

SauvignonBlanche · 09/04/2013 15:40

In the restaurant I worked in there was some regulars who always let their child roam, a couple of the Italian waiters had a competition to see who could trip her up.
I told them off BTW but she was fucking annoying.

MsBella · 09/04/2013 15:41

Youthecat, I've never been critisized about this before, just about the typical stuff like extended breastfeeding, not shouting at my kids etc. But that's irrelevant

LaQueen · 09/04/2013 15:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MsBella · 09/04/2013 15:43

Laqueen, I have older DCs, THEY TURNED OUT JUST FINE!