gr1973, your posts in this topic is the typical of the attitude, IMO, when people say, 'many British don't like children'. I would add, 'they merely tolerate them.'
Last Thurs, dh, dd (2.8yo), a family friend and I popped into the cafe at Chatsworth as we had had a very long (7.5 mile hike) across the very cold Peak District. The cafe was almost empty as it was getting late, while waiting for our meals, dd who had never left her seat, shouted, whinged, etc, picked up the knife and fork, still wrapped in the napkin and banged them on the table. I said right away, 'No, don't do that, it is too noisy.' She didn't do it again or any other silly noise. Yet a lady sitting in a party of 3 near us tutted and rolled her eyes.
It seems to me that she thinks that children should be left in a cupboard somewhere till they turn 18. Now while my child probably would not have irritated you, you have to measure your attitude against whether or not you find normal toddler behaviour irritating because of your own preconceived prejudices. IE: are you being unreasonable, not is the parent or the child's behaviour unreasonable.
What I am getting at is that children learn how to socialise in a grown up setting by being in a grown up setting. People in society have a duty and should certainly have to grace to allow a child to make childlike mistakes of etiquette as they learn by advised on what is appropriate.
I don't also agree with you when you said that the drinking culture in Britain is a whole different topic. ER, no, this topic is a part of the drinking culture in Britain topic.
I apologise if I sounded like I am getting at you. That is not my intention. I just find the subtext of what you say, indicative of how a lot of Brits view children. And my dh, dd and I are Brits (though I was raised overseas.)