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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let Dc play switch in a Michelin star restaurant?

224 replies

GCSquirrel · 06/01/2023 22:39

Dc is 7yo. I was supposed to be going for a 6 course tasting tomorrow evening but due to my friend’s childcare issues (her dh was supposed to be having her dc plus my 7yo for a sleepover but he’s got Covid) she had to cancel. It was booked using a voucher and as it’s such short notice if we don’t go tomorrow the voucher will be cancelled.

The restaurant have said they’re fine with dc coming as long as he isn’t disruptive. Dc is generally pretty well behaved but I’ve eaten at this restaurant before and the whole thing takes a good 2.5 hours. I think he would actually enjoy the food and the experience but obviously it’s a long time for a 7yo to sit still and be relatively quiet. If I let him play with his switch if he starts to get a bit fidgety he is absolutely guaranteed to be quiet. He got a new Pokémon game for it for Christmas and is obsessed with it.

If you went out for a posh meal would you be irritated if there was a kid playing switch there? I don’t know if I’m being really selfish to consider it but it was a really expensive voucher and I do like food.

OP posts:
AliceS1994 · 06/01/2023 23:06

I wouldn't care and truely don't understand the people who have voted that they would

ApexPredator · 06/01/2023 23:07

Who are you going with? If it’s your OH then obviously fine (and I agree with PPs, no worse than other diners) but if eg I was going with friends and one brought a child then I wouldn’t be keen - no matter how quiet they were!

OneFrenchEgg · 06/01/2023 23:08

I wouldn't care for me. I'd probably wonder why you'd bother to do it with a kid who needed electronics to keep occupied and quiet, not knowing the voucher child care backstory.

WestBridgewater · 06/01/2023 23:10

I wouldn’t have a problem with someone else’s child but I wouldn’t let my own children play with a switch in a restaurant. For me it’s rude the same way if I sat on my phone.

Everydaywheniwakeup · 06/01/2023 23:11

Is it just you and ds going? If so, he won't need the switch.

Spacebears · 06/01/2023 23:12

I wouldn't even think about this twice, as-long as it's silent he's fine. Just make sure he's very clear about how he needs to behave before you go,

harrassedmumto3 · 06/01/2023 23:14

Totally fine, and I wish all modern day parents were as considerate as you!

backtomeagain · 06/01/2023 23:15

I wouldn't even notice and if I did, no it wouldn't bother me one bit.

WaffleHouseWendy · 06/01/2023 23:16

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

FrostyFifi · 06/01/2023 23:17

Voted YABU then changed when I saw it would be on silent, I'd have absolutely no issue with that.

OkOkWhatsNext · 06/01/2023 23:18

Hmm…I think it depends on the type of restaurant. If it’s very formal I think it would seem a bit weird and inappropriate, but if it’s more of a relaxed atmosphere it might be okay. If it were a book to read it might feel more appropriate….but I’d kind of want my child to engage and have a chat between courses and actually experience the nice restaurant rather than checking out into the gaming world. And also when my kids are on their screens, it takes much asking/cajoling/demanding to get them to actually stop playing, finish up and come and eat their tea. Is the bane of my life. Would he be able to stop playing as each course arrives and focus on eating? Seems like a hassle to have that conversation each time.

pizzaHeart · 06/01/2023 23:19

I wouldn’t bother as long as it’s on silent.
people who clicked YANBU clearly meant that it’s ok , and people who clicked YABU meant that you’re unreasonable even to think that it’s not ok.

CatJumperTwat · 06/01/2023 23:22

Agree with everybody else - if it's on silent, it's nobody else's business.

pizzaHeart · 06/01/2023 23:22

Would he be able to stop playing as each course arrives and focus on eating?
And I personally wouldn’t bother if OP’s child was focusing on eating or not.

rattlemehearties · 06/01/2023 23:24

Interesting replies! I would absolutely be a snob about this and think it was poor if I saw it in a restaurant. He should be able to behave at the table and maybe enjoy the experience at that age.

You could bring some paper and crayons? But the Switch would be like an adult staring at their phone the whole meal - really gauche! I am surprised so many people think it sounds fine.

pollina · 06/01/2023 23:25

Have you actually called them and asked if they would reschedule? Fair enough if they stick to their T&C but it sounds like a pretty rubbish way to spend what should have been a nice evening and have had restaurants be really understanding faced with similar late requests in the past.

Otherwise it wouldn't bother me but I wouldn't do it myself!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 06/01/2023 23:25

Yes I think fine as long as silent.

gavisconismyfriend · 06/01/2023 23:25

As long as he isn’t shouting out when something exciting happens/his character gets blown up (not sure what happens in his game!). If he’s calling out intermittently then yes, I’d be annoyed as might others - some people will have saved long and hard for the experience and won’t expect an evening meal to be disrupted in that way. If you’re absolutely sure he’ll be quiet and the game is on silent then no problem.

JustKittenAround · 06/01/2023 23:27

Zero issues on silent and I’ve actually been to Michelin restaurants where kids were on iPads and such on silent. Didn’t ruin my experience! If I was a kid I wouldn’t want to go through a 13 course tasting menu listening to adult conversation…

These restaurants are a LONG experience usually… courses, the explanation of food, the endless talking about said food. So I figure why not use a little screen time to keep kids busy?

Honestly I’ve been more bothered by obnoxious adults talking loudly lol Like I am happy they are enjoying the wine pairing. It damn take it down a notch!

Ostryga · 06/01/2023 23:28

As someone who has worked in Michelin star restaurants all their adult life (inc. 2x 3 stars) IT IS FINE.

He doesn’t need to acknowledge anyone when they bring the food over (they’ll be telling the adults the plates)

As long as volume is down and he’s not running around he’ll be very welcome.

Michelin isn’t some scary thing that you have to sit up straight and never talk above a whisper and wear your best pearls. It’s about having really fucking nice food and service and enjoying yourselves! Obviously others are there to enjoy as well, but as long as you’re respectful it’s completely fine.

Have the wine flight and have a lovely time!

WandaWonder · 06/01/2023 23:29

If people are silent, well not loud i mean, and not being rude or disturbing others I do not judge people if on devices, kids or adults

Why does it affect anyone else?

I also don't parent by others if I am not disturbing others I don't care if they judge me or not

Aquamarine1029 · 06/01/2023 23:30

It would have to be completely, absolutely silent. Any gaming noises would be totally unacceptable.

shouldawooda · 06/01/2023 23:30

I wouldn’t tell him you have the Switch as it will just make him antsy for it throughout the first few courses. I’d instead keep
it up my sleeve for later on, when he starts getting restless and bored. But I’d definitely try and get through the meal
without it first as it would be a great experience for him.

AdoraBell · 06/01/2023 23:30

If it’s on silent it’s a good idea to keep him occupied.

DifferenceEngines · 06/01/2023 23:39

rattlemehearties · 06/01/2023 23:24

Interesting replies! I would absolutely be a snob about this and think it was poor if I saw it in a restaurant. He should be able to behave at the table and maybe enjoy the experience at that age.

You could bring some paper and crayons? But the Switch would be like an adult staring at their phone the whole meal - really gauche! I am surprised so many people think it sounds fine.

Normally I would agree with you, but a multiple course meal is just too long for most kids, especiallywhen there's lots of boring adult conversation. I'm really into getting my kids to engage in a range of activities, but despite my best efforts, my kids just don't like colouring. Reading and puzzles would result in endless interruptions of "muuum, look".