To ask parents to turn down volume.

[Borntobeamum]

Sat in a nice restaurant in a hotel.
DH and I are celebrating and sat at the next table is a Mum and dad and their son- aged about 4. He’s watching you tube videos. With the sound on full.
Restaurant is full so can’t move tables.
The parents are both on their phones too.
There’s no interaction. Just tinny noises as they click on various pages.
WIBU to ask them to start up a conversation with their little boy. I could give them some ideas if they’re stuck!

And your solution is that there should be a unilateral ban? Because you met one revolting individual?

The revolting individual was just the icing on the cake. There should be a unilateral ban because anyone with basic decency knows not to have electronic noise at table or in a place people are trying to relax.

Play some really loud gangster rap with lots of swear words from your phone! I would definitely ask them to use headphones

Stephen Hawkins was at the table next to you you would tolerate the “electronic noise” without comment

you're comparing the voice of a profoundly disabled man, the greatest mind of our time, to a toddler watching peppa pig in a restaurant?

Did we just hit peak aibu there?

Messy jessy yes! I think we just did!

It is relevant, and it's actually quite offensive.

Ok lets say apart from Stephen Hawkins can all you pro noisy electonics gadget posse just use headphones! Please!

Yes we can. We cannot compare a disability aid to an ipad with cartoons on it though.
Well I suppose you can (and did) if you want to be offensive and OTT.

Well the point was that the issue you are having is not the noise it’s who is producing the noise

No it's not. It's what the noise is. A voice machine is not the same noise as cartoons on a tablet. Which seems obvious but if we need to explain it to you......

Wow if a restaurant refused to sort an anti social noise complaint I wouldn't be paying. That's really not fair to everyone around them.

Well what did you do Op ?

Not unreasonable to ask them to turn it down. In most cases it could be noise off or headphones. In a small number of cases some noise would be a reasonable adjustment and those who are not brilliant academic minds are still entitled to reasonable adjustment.

And it's not just the sound of voices is it. It's the repetitive plinky plonky high pitched music that accompanies most of these shows and games. Repeating the same music over and over is a well known torture device!

you're comparing the voice of a profoundly disabled man, the greatest mind of our time, to a toddler watching peppa pig in a restaurant?
Yep.

Threads like this make me realise how lucky I am not to be an angry judgemental cow! Seriously so many people being bothered by so little. And making snap judgments about people based on fuck all.

I wouldn’t care about the noise, generally I just crack on with my day without finding things to be irritated about. It makes for a happier day in general. I understand noise bothers some people, but if it’s annoying to the point where it becomes more important than getting in with your own celebrations then I would be questioning whether you want to enjoy your day or be pissed off more?

Literally once a year I take my teen DS out for lunch. Just the 2 of us. He wears his ear pods and sits with his phone in his hand. And I cry. Do you know why I cry? I cry because I know that half of the people in that restaurant will be judging both me and my son for our lack of interaction. But fuck my what you all don’t see is that is the closest moment we have together every year. So you can all duck off with your judgement

zzzzz you are absolutely being offensive be that intentionally or not. Comparing an electronic device that is the only mode of communication for someone to one that 'reduces stress' is ridiculous. Is that genuinely the only strategy you have been given or have to deal with your son in public? Or is it that it's the easiest option for you to get peace for a nice meal whilst disregarding it's at everyone else's expense?

Seriously so many people being bothered by so little

Horrible attitude. "I don't mind it so no-one else is allowed to be bothered. Only the things that matter to me actually matter".

Migraleave for someone who doesn't get worked up by things, you sound pretty worked up. I wouldn't judge you cos I wouldn't give a fig cos he's wearing headphones. Happy days!

It's fucking rude and needs called out at every opportunity. It's not about judging parents. I give not a fuck. But sound off or headphones on.

We endured a flight with 2 boys infront of us playing Mario at full blast. I usually say something but I let this slide as they boys has been wild, climbing, screaming, not listening and poor mum was at her wits end.

I don’t even like people laughing raucously in a restaurant really disturbing or even talking in shouty voices.

bah hum bug!

So you are not being unreasonable. Totally agree with headphones.

As to the old iPads in a restaurant debate. Each to their own. Personally I have no problem and agree with those who said it’s a snap shot of a day.

We went to Alton Towers on Sunday ; walked 30k steps, stood in long queues played eye spy, the ministers cat, riddles, danced skipped. A long exhausting day.

At the restaurant later my dd had her iPad, exhausted, down time.
We got some judgy glances. Not bothered though.
Usually when we have meals out we are on holidays anyway and we have usually had a very interactive day.

It’s not sad! We interact over plenty of meals at home.

Our rule of thumb ia order and eat without tablets then once the meal is cleared away the kids can play. It means I can finish my wine and actually chat!

Ds1 and I go for coffee once a week and we have a no phone rule. It's a nice half hour chance to chat!