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AIBU?

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Original poster

Is this "Ok" social etiquette now? AIBU

189 replies

Weathergames · 20/09/2015 18:28

And a grumpy cow?

OH and I have no kids this weekend (we have 6 between us they are all with their dads mums).

Went for a pub lunch down the road today family pub, not posh. Lots of families in there in the restaurant, big christening party. We were sat next to a couple with a baby, prob 18 months old. Fine (not in the christening party).

Couple fed the baby first and he sat next to their table in a high chair. Their food arrived and they put a mobile phone in front of him and proceeded to eat their food while he watched an episode of Peppa Pig which was clearly audible from our table.

Is this ok? It was REALLY irritating (I hate having the TV on during a meal anyway) and really detracted from our meal and we left as soon as we had finished eating. Just felt it was so inconsiderate of other diners and they should've been interacting with their child.

Or am I just a grumpy cow?

OP posts:
Helpmeoutofthemaze · 20/09/2015 19:02

I think this is not unusual in a family place. Yanbu in principle, but yab a bit u in practice. Go somewhere nicer.

usual · 20/09/2015 19:03

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whois · 20/09/2015 19:03

Don't care if you're using a tablet for your child. Do care if I can hear the fucking electronic beeps or cartoon chatter. Headphones or volume off. Can't believe people grow up thinking it's acceptable to not use headphones. (Cue millions of MNers stating why their snowflake can't use headphones but does need to listed to pepper pig or they scream, in which case maybe just eat at home)

Original poster
Weathergames · 20/09/2015 19:03

No - I think they should have been but that's just my opinion and is irrelevant to my point - its not for me to judge.

OP posts:
Original poster
Weathergames · 20/09/2015 19:04

I am in no way judging the use of the screen per say - but why take your kid out and use a screen as a babysitter?

OP posts:
annandale · 20/09/2015 19:05

My view was that if I couldn't keep my child at the table or at a reasonable volume level for the environment, I wouldn't go there. It is not a human right to eat out. The first time I ate out with my parents, I'd passed my A-levels and we went for a pizza. I hate the idea of plonking a screen in front of my child to keep them quiet in a restaurant they can do that at home.

ScarletRuby · 20/09/2015 19:06

YANBU, if people are incapable of entertaining their child, by any other means than sticking a screen I front of them they should provide headphones. In this sort of situation I would get my tablet/ phone out and play something unsuitable for children.

ThursdayLastWeek · 20/09/2015 19:07

I can't imagine any 18mo I have ever known wearing headphones.

Original poster
Weathergames · 20/09/2015 19:07

My dad used to leave us in the car with a packet of crisps while he went into the pub and drove us home pissed! Shock

OP posts:
VeryPunny · 20/09/2015 19:12

Just me that judges use of screen at restaurants then? If they are family friendly type places then I'll happily tolerate a kid kicking off.

We don't eat out a lot, simply because it's not that much fun making sure that two kids under 3 are not running riot.

nameinlights · 20/09/2015 19:14

Yabu. My 12 month old needs a lot of entertainment. I planned to do this today at lunch out but left the tablet behind by mistake. She's too young for ear phones but it would keep the volume low.

hazeyjane · 20/09/2015 19:19

Ds often has his ipad for some of the time when we eat out as a family, but he always has his headphones on.

TBH, I don't think a pub on a Sunday afternoon is an 'adult' environment.

Original poster
Weathergames · 20/09/2015 19:20

nameinlights why take her out to the pub then? So it's everyone else's problem that your baby needs a lot of entertaining?

The self entitled attitude bugs me. I didn't take my kids to places like this when they were babies because it wasn't fair on other diners.

OP posts:
AgentProvocateur · 20/09/2015 19:22

Nameinlights, you'd genuinely give your one year old an iPad and have the volume on when other people are trying to enjoy their meal? I hope you don't live near me.

usual · 20/09/2015 19:25

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usual · 20/09/2015 19:27

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OrderofWork · 20/09/2015 19:27

In the family restaurant I was in yesterday, a phone would have to have been turned up very loud indeed to be heard at the next table.....

lavent · 20/09/2015 19:28

I've done this with young DC before once they start to fidget/disruptive in cafés/restaurants.

I always turn the sound off though and I don't get the phone out for the sake of it if they are calm/quiet.

Family type pubs are usually so loud anyway they must have had the volume right up!

usual · 20/09/2015 19:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Littlef00t · 20/09/2015 19:29

I'm surprised people feel a nice meal for them trumps a nice meal for everyone else in the restaurant around them.

DH and I regularly take dd 18mo for brunch at a nice but family friendly cafe. I take books and work hard to interact with her and keep her focused because I want her to learn how to be act in fancier settings in the future.

Surely if you're starting with the iPad at 12 mo, that child will never learn the appropriate way to act? If they're not ready to sit more peacefully without a screen, they're not ready full stop.

usual · 20/09/2015 19:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsHarveySpecter · 20/09/2015 19:38

DD1, I would hoist my judgy pants at people using Peppa on phones to keep children quiet when eating out. Then DD2 came along...

TittyBiskwits · 20/09/2015 19:42

Yanbu but that's nowt.

Went to a christening and during the ceremony the family in front gave their kid an iPad (with the volume turned up). In Church Hmm

SoupDragon · 20/09/2015 19:43

I am in no way judging the use of the screen per say - but why take your kid out and use a screen as a babysitter?

So they don't get bored and kick off? Quite simple really.

It was a family pub.

What do you think they should have done?

(The volume should not have been louder than any normal conversation though)

SoupDragon · 20/09/2015 19:44

If you want an "adult environment" don't go to a family pub.