Would I be unreasonable to ask a child to be a bit quieter on their iPad in a restaurant?

[WouldYouLikeSomeRibena]

I know this is a touchy subject and it’s a public place but I’m just wondering if it’s reasonable to be this angry?

I have taken my friend out for lunch to a restaurant in the lakes for her birthday.
It’s a nice place usually very busy, the food is good and lovely views and usually full of adults dining as it’s quite pricey and no kids menus or high chairs.

Today there was a table in front of us with two women and 6 kids having drinks looking at menus.
The kids keep getting up and running round, talking loudly and one boy was roaming between tables constantly coughing without covering his mouth. In the end a lady on the next table told him to cover his mouth as he was hovering near here and then told the other kids it wasn’t safe to run round.
One of the women was doing a weak “sshhh” that was getting ignored, the other seemed more embarrassed and in the end she suggested they leave and they did.

There are two other tables with kids on iPads but one has headphones and is sat a lot further away so I can’t really hear it and I don’t think there is an issue at all when using headphones.

At the other table a couple are sat near to me with a girl of about 7/8, they are looking at their phones and the girl is on FaceTime on her iPad to another girl with no headphones. It sounds like the other girl is playing a game on a console and both are getting excited and shouting at each other with the girl in the restaurant getting louder and shouting instructions and shrieking occasionally whilst bouncing up and down in her chair.

Other people keep looking over but the parents are oblivious.
Since I started writing this post their food has come and the couple are eating and talking to each other, the girl has propped the iPad against the salt and pepper and is continuing her FaceTime call talking with her mouth full.
The tables are pretty close together and I’m really pissed off about it and want to say something. My friend is also annoyed but worried about confrontation and suggested speaking to staff and asking them to talk to the couple about disturbing everyone.

I was just wondering what others would do? I’ll be really pissed off shelling out almost £100 for a meal that’s supposed to be a celebration and we can hardly hear to have a conversation and I’m disappointed because I wanted it to be nice for my friend.

On the other hand I don’t want to cause an argument and it’s possible people will stick up for the family as we are a pretty child centred society.
I thought I’d ask other opinions so I can assess the risk of that happening.
Would I be unreasonable to go over and ask the couple if they can ask the girl to be quieter or do you think I have no right as it’s a public place and you can’t police people like that?

I just don’t understand the mindset like the people on the other people with kids who let them disturb everyone and just don’t give a shit. I expect it to a degree in places like pizza express or Toby carvery but it feels selfish to bring them to a more adult environment if they are happy to just let them disturb everyone.

I feel awkward approaching the staff as they haven’t already said anything, it might be the best approach though as they are really the only people with any authority to comment.

I would definitely say something

I would.

Ask the staff if you can be moved and the dc is ruining your meal.. I bloody well would.

Of course not unreasonable. Nobody of any age should be making a call that disturbs people and if a tablet or phone is being used for games it needs to be with headphones or on silent. No exceptions.

Tell the staff you'd like to move or can they ask the other table to be quiet

Colouring books and cards are our first option. iPad / phone is pulled out if we are desperate but ALWAYS either with sound off or with headphones on!

You're out to lunch with a friend, but typing an essay on MN?!

Let’s normalise calling out this sort of behaviour in public. The parents in these scenarios always appear oblivious so I think we need to tell them how disruptive their family behaviour is.

I totally agree that’s it’s annoying and I would ask to move.

But I also find it strange that it’s a meal for your friend and you have decided to write a post here asking for opinions.

It's ridiculous that parents think this is acceptable. I don't think kids should have iPads in social situations like a restaurant meal (unless they have SEN) it's very disruptive. I'd either say something direct or tell the staff.

You’re entitled to be a child-free person.
But you are not entitled to a child-free life.
children need to exist or humanity will die out
they are allowed to eat out with their families
they make noise they play they don’t always have perfect table manners they are children

Yes, the only point of debate should be what you say to them.

its perfectly acceptable to say something. If we all start doing it then maybe people will learn how to behave in public.

You are paying money for your meal and the selfish behaviour of others shouldn’t be allowed to ruin your meal.

That’s an essay to write sitting across from a friend whilst celebrating!

I’d just back the waitress to either move you or speak to the family.

I will be sympathetic to parents who make an effort to reduce children's noise or disruptive behaviour. Not those who ignore it.

It's half term isn't bad day to pick
Just move tables. I wouldn't say anything. There will be a row and it will end up spoiling the meal anyway.
The parents aren't going to like you saying anything. Does anyone today?

I would just keep giving looks- because I’m too chicken to say anything.
But it is just so rude!

I would leave, explain to the staff why, and go to the nearest pub.

No they won't, it will just cause more rows. You Just move.

🙄

There is ‘child noise’ which is acceptable and there there is ‘child shrieking loudly in a restaurant’ noise which is not acceptable and totally inconsiderate to other people. If you let your DC do this then do better.

So it's apparently not a child-friendly place and yet it's full of children?

And you've gone for lunch with your friend but you're sat writing out a very long mumsnet post?

Go away out of that. As a mother of three boys I often remind them to keep in down in certain public places. Because everyone should get a chance to enjoy the meal.

Ipads with headphones or on mute in places like restaurants and planes. End of story.

This would piss me off. Would I say anything? Unsure.

Talk to the staff or the parents, directly.

Do NOT speak to the child.

In situations like this, I ask the staff to do something.

If they can’t, I leave. I would pay for anything you’ve consumed, but not anything you’ve ordered but not yet had.

I don’t see the point in eating out and finding it an unpleasant experience.