Thrown out of restaurant for bringing newborn baby

[toddlermom]

Hi all,

Just need to vent and wondering if I should complain and if so who to. We went to one of my (ex) favourite London restaurants (Amaya) last night (wearing 5 week old baby in cloth sling, as I often do).

Walked in, got to our table, I took off my jacket and went to sit down but the waitress stopped me and said I couldn't sit down and had to leave the restaurant as she could now see (that I had taken off jacket) that I had a baby and 'children aren't allowed in the restaurant". I said it was a baby - who was asleep - and unlikely to wakeup - and she said it didn't matter, they don't let any children in the restaurant.

The manager came over, said the same thing, they were really, really rude and unfriendly. Didn't say sorry or sympathise, empathise in any way.

They don't have any social media presence so I can't even tweet them and vent on social. I could write a letter to the owner? Or is there anything else I should do? Or AIBU and just not go there again? Any advice welcome!! Thank you!

Just booked Veeraswamy for a meal. I was looking for somewhere new to try when I’m in London this week without the DC. It looks fantastic.

I also get fucked off with this 'Britain is the only country that hates children' bollocks. I have travelled to over 2 dozen countries on 5 continents, and no WAY is it true that every other country is super-friendly (towards kids,) whilst the UK is hostile towards them.

I don't know where and when this bullshit tale started. But it's not true.

Indeed, most places in most countries are friendly towards children, (even the UK!!!) But they do have their 'child-free' zones (and times.) And that's because SHOCKER !!! ...... not all children are fluffy little angels who sit quiet and calm all night, and don't speak til they're spoken to.

And not everyone wants to be around children. Even people who have children themselves like some child free time.

YABU @toddlermom if somewhere has a child-free session in the evening, that includes 5 week old babies too!

They should have informed you. I'd be annoyed if I got there and they only told me then. That IS annoying.

How unfortunate that their crystal ball was broken and their mind reader was on leave that evening

I would imagine this has come about because they got sick of brats little angels running amok. Parents reap what they sow.

I'm fifty. I eat out lot. I love these threads where staff are apparently randomly "really really rude" in a totally unprovoked manner. I've never seen this in real life. It's always, always in response to a customer behaving badly, and the staff response of a simple no, is perceived by the op customer, as being rude, when to onlookers it is not.

🤣

At least now I know that if I ever want to eat at a posh restaurant for some reason, I should check their policy on children first! Every day's a school day.

@Bluntness100

I'm fifty. I eat out lot. I love these threads where staff are apparently randomly "really really rude" in a totally unprovoked manner. I've never seen this in real life.

Yeah this. ^ I never see people 'serving' customers being rude to them in restaurants. Plenty of arsey and entitled customers though.

I have come across a few grumpy and miserable shop assistants though. Actually borderline rude. Not many.. maybe 1 in 12 in any given month! But a few yeah. Also a few rude doctors receptionists (1 in 6 or so.)

I bet when you booked you didn't mention your be taking a baby with you.

Also if you'd checked the website you'd have seen not only their child policy but also the links to their Twitter and Facebook pages

You sound common

That's just unpleasant... And also inaccurate as there's nothing in the OP's post that could be described as common anyway.

@makingmammaries Compare the behaviour of British teens with those from continental Europe and then tell me it’s a great idea.

Hahahahahhahahahaahahahahaha.

Deep breath

Hahahahahahahhahahahahaha.

You don't go into central London very often, do you, @makingmammaries?

They should have informed you. I'd be annoyed if I got there and they only told me then. That IS annoying.

If OP had any common sense she should have realised that going to a Michelin starred restaurant, she should have asked in advance if children were welcome. She's clearly been there a number of times before so should have registered that no kids were there. Sounds like as her kid was newborn, the rule 'didn't apply to her' especially as the manager had to come over and reinforce the point.

Bluntness 'really really rude' means 'they wouldn't do what I wanted them to'.

If someone finds themselves in a situation like this the proper thing to do is just say "Oh I didn't realize" and then get up quietly and leave.

Also LOLd at the idea that continental Europe teens are better behaved than British teens. Have a few trips on half a dozen ferries why don't ya, with school trips that have European teens (German, Scandinavian Spanish, Greek, French, Italian,) !!! You will soon change your mind.

The UK teens were ANGELS compared to a bunch of French teens on the last ferry trip I went on (from Calais to Dover!)

I get sooooo pissed off with our children (and teens) being lambasted and accused of being badly behaved, and much worse than other nationalities. It's utter crap.

I'm not saying other nationalities are WORSE, but don't paint all non-Brits as angels and all the British kids as demons!

Dd was horrified at the behaviour of the Spanish teens when she was on her exchange in Madrid!

@littlehappyhippo i think that @makingmammaries lives in a fantasy world, perhaps based on 'The Sound of Music', where teenagers from Switzerland/Belgium/Italy walk around demurely, praying & saying grace & sitting still with their hands folded, while every British teenager spends every waking minute drinking MD 20/20 on a wall before stabbing someone, vomiting over themselves & falling unconscious by the side of a canal.

It's endearingly detached from reality.

I was wondering what makes Veeraswamy and certain other fine dining establishments exceptional. Now I know. I rarely dine before 9pm.

@DuchessMustard

PMSL!!!

This is OP's third child. She has been there many times before. AS she's admitted she's aware of at least some of the child policies (ie, she knew children aren't permitted after 9pm), surely it should have occurred to her to check the website before booking?

As for breastfeeding mothers and protected characteristics, the protection is really for the mother, not the child, and is designed to prevent mothers from being harrassed, etc. The rules aren't actually aimed at the child.

So any establishment can state they are child free, because this rule is applied to all children, not just babies being breastfed.

And although I rarely go to London, I'll be looking out for this place next time I go. I'd love a child free dinner out.

You say that it's a restaurant you go to regularly. Have you never noticed the lack of kids? Or were you clearly wrapped up in your own little world like you sound in this post. Also PFB much?!?

I wish there were more restaurants that didn’t allow children. They would get my custom. I think there’s a real gap in the market.

I ‘ll make of point of going here next time we’re in London😀

Also PFB much?!?

PTHIRDB