Restaurants should have a child free section

[Hdaniels11]

I keener old smoking/non smoking sections at restaurants. They should do the same thing with children/no children sections. I was at a testy with a few friends last night and the table next to mine had two screaming children. Another table had their 4 maybe 5 year old son stun up and down the aisle nearly knocking over the waitress with a tray full of drinks. We asked to move because it was just too noisy and disturbing, after that we had no more distractions and were actually able to converse with one another.

A lot of that reminds me of my sister, her husband believes in being the kids "friend" rather than the parent and says things like "boys will be boys" and "they are just getting their energy out" i just roll my eyes when he says that. NO it's a restaurant not a playground.

As a parent myself i actually think it's a good idea from the other side. It's embarrassing to have your child screaming and acting a fool in public, Around other parents you would at least get a little more empathy.

🙄

This.

And the parents who think it’s “cool” or “educational “ to take young children to adult restaurants. It means one can’t do what some PPs suggest and go to restaurants more suited to adults and at a time when there are unlikely to be children. It’s quite hard to predict this with certainty.

I love taking my 2 year old to restaurants- we always remind her of what is expected- to be fair no different expectations to at home- to sit down and eat. We would normally take colouring, a couple of books and a doll with us....
The issue is with children who run riot- if she is not behaved we take her out of the restaurant calm her down and bring her back. If she does it a 2nd time we go home- we have had lots of takeaway pudding due to this... for us a children's section won't work as we are trying to ensure that she knows how to behave (and other kids often dont)....

I really don't get this, you dont need to go to a restaurant to know how to behave. Also what about the ambience? People going out to a restaurant don't want to be sat next to a two year old even if they are well behaved, it kills the ambience of a nice place. It's nothing personal, I just don't want to spend £100+ on a romantic evening with my DH and then be sitting next to a two year old. It's nothing personal to your child, or any child. There's a time and a place 💁‍♀️

Totally 🤣 also noticing the comments about how their children are complimented on their impeccable behaviour .... surely people noticing good (normal) behaviour, is an indication that that is not always the norm 🤔

Go to a bar or nightclub or go at 9pm then.

Or go somewhere with a price tag that families don't like.

Or get some consideration for other humans in general cos I don't like being in the same room as loud fuckers with irratating accents or uptight adults who suck their teeth or make cooing noises at each other all night but I have to put up with it. Even if I haven't got a small one in tow.

Its a restuarant. Somewhere to eat. Thats it.

Not somewhere to mate. Keep that at home ta. Suck it up or hire a private chef.

I would rather a section without adults- oops
Discrimination

Fair enough re pricepoint. I was more talking fancy, cocktail lounge, tiny pretentious food, type place where I wouldn't expect to see any of the adults you've described either. Key word there was ambient. People don't seem to be able to tell what's appropriate and what's not, which I think is the actual issue. I have no problem with kids at a casual restaurant, like a family pub type set up. In fact that's rather nice. Don't really get what the outrage is coming from ... it's very weird 😕 I wouldn't take kids to certain places, that just seems like normal etiquette to me

Can we also have a separate section for couples and large groups of rowdy adults? Or just couples and groups (which would then include noisy kids). I'm pretty good at ignoring other people's kids but always ask for a quiet table due to my partner being partially deaf. Because I make the request, I always ask to move if we don't get this when promised it.

Last time we went out to dinner we were sat in a corner with a large group of rowdy adults next to us. They were the only other patrons in the restaurant. I politely asked if it would be possible to move and it was no problem. Yes parents look offended when they notice this but it's actually nothing to do with them, just our own needs.

This weekend at the lovely little pub near us, a group of feral children were running around and started playing with The snack station at the bar, where they sell crisps nuts etc. and pushed it back towards the bar, there was a candle behind it because adults don't tend to push shit over.

The candle fell off the bar and smashed all over the bar staffs feet. It also set fire to a packet of crisps.

Now there are no children allowed

Something that’s quite telling for me is that one of the places locally that will tell parents “that’s not acceptable, get them under control or leave” is also somewhere that does the same with overly rowdy adults.

I also don’t think it’s coincidence that they’re known to pay well and look after their staff - so perhaps the staff are more willing to get involved?!

Its a restuarant. Somewhere to eat. Thats it.

Except that statement is quite clearly bollocks. Restaurants cater for a myriad of tastes, ambiance and prices from fast food through to fine dining and everything in between. Unless you are a complete moron you will understand that the type of restaurant you go to will carry with it certain expectations from the customer as to how they behave and dress. Equally the customer will manage their expectations insofar as the quality of food and service they receive based on where they choose to dine. If you see all restaurants as just 'somewhere to eat' with no distinction between them then I imagine you are the type of person nobody wants to be sat near.

This attitude is part of the problem. People are entitled to enjoy a reasonably peaceful meal out regardless of the price tag. Parents letting their children scream and shriek and run around, or adults talking and laughing so loudly they can be heard halfway across the restaurant are annoying for everyone else regardless of whether you're having a carvery in the local or an expensive evening meal.

I really don't get this, you dont need to go to a restaurant to know how to behave

This appears to be an MN thing - apparently you need to practice everything over and over again to be able to do it - forgetting that as kids get older, they can do things naturally, or learn to do things when it's age appropriate. You don't need to take kids to a Michelin starred restaurant at 5, they can learn to sit still and converse nicely in Pizza Express.

Equally, it's not a justification to drag the kids to supermarkets all the time. They can learn how to buy things in any shop or at a market stall.

There's no need for a child or an adult to behave badly in any cafe or restaurant. Consideration for others is the important thing.

Absolutely agree.

I'd rather there was a designated "child free" section than a designated "children's section." That way, people like me who have adult children, or no children, don't have to sit in the "child free" section if they have nothing against children being children in public places.

Yes to this idea, 100%. Actually banning under 14s after 7pm would be a good idea too. Evening time is adult time.

Isolating children from adults won't change their behaviour. Parents should do more work outside restaurant instead of letting their kids roam around. They're really annoying in family friendly places like Ikea. I get everyone is welcome,but FGS, control your brat.

7pm. Are you having a fucking laugh!?

All these massiiiivveee restaurants big enough for sections are probably not the place to go for a quiet meal. And small independent places probably are simply desperate for any kind of business right now. Places where they are good to our son will get repeat business and recommendations from us, so it's not a one time thing either.

If you are talking about sections or time slots, why not have a noisy section and then have a quiet section with a great big huge sound proofed wall down the middle. The restaurants can pay a fortune in addition to their current debts to install this for no apparent reason other than to suck up to blow hards, who should stay home and just shag, with no financial benefit to them.

Meanwhile in the real world, if you want ambient atmosphere to suit your taste, just get a bloody take away and stop acting like you own the restaurant. People who get on their high horses and complain 'omg there's a child in the restaurant ruining in the atmosphere' for merely existing like it's a rat - rather than because they are actually a nuisance, need to remove the stick from their arse and get a grip.

I feel the same about adults who lack self-awareness and can’t see that they’re blocking the aisles especially couples. I see them way more than I see children running amok in IKEA.

As a parent of two small children, I think this is an excellent idea

We ate early recently as we were going to the theatre and it was like sitting in a crèche! Won’t make that mistake again!

Yes!

Just like there are adult only hotels

Agree