taking DC to a restaurant?

[shootfromthehip]

We took our two DC (DD 4.5 and DS 21mths) to our local Italian on Sat for tea as we do reasonably regularly. We got there at 5.30pm and were finished by 7pm. DS was tired and by 6.30pm was making noise. By 6.45pm he was shouting at people to get their attention, having finished his dinner. The staff are used to us taking the kids there and are always really friendly (as are the Owners).

On this occasion the lady and her 'date' behind us (late 50's) engaged us in the usual 'oh that's why i've got no kids but 2 rabbits' conversation when I apologised for the noise which was really perfunctory on my part as DS wasn't howling, just being loud.

We decided to not stay for dessert as DS was going to start getting embarassing and I paid as DH took the kids out. At this point the lady behind us said 'yeah you should really take him home, I' mean he's not even 2 yet- too young to be here'

AIBU- I have always taken our kids out with us and have occasionally left if I felt that they were being disruptive but should I just not being doing it at all?

handleme - lots of people aren't fit to go to curry houses at 7pm and would be better of staying indoors and never going out in public - not just kids. Fortunately, at the moment it's a free country. Sort of.

Free to be inconsiderate to others?

It's inconsiderate to others for grown-ups to go out with smelly armpits or stinky feet (or an ugly mug ). People still do it though. That's life!

Ah, I see a sensible discussion is not on the cards here.....

To give even more context to this scenario, the restaurant seat us at the back when we go there (near the toilets and the kitchen- ta muchas) and because we get there so early it was very quiet (lesson learned from DD who was horrible in a restaurant once). My mother was also with us (Head teacher and part-time Nazi behaviour wise). There was NO banging of cutlery but there was some noise shortly before we left. Some eg 3 moderate shouts to get the attention of the rude woman in question. And this worked as she did start to interact with DS. However, as his parents we pre-empted (?) some potentially loud behaviour. Also, please bear in mind that this was all before 7pm (6.45pm ish). And it was an ITALIAN Restaurant- and they welcome us

sorry that should have been 'sat' us at the back- keep reminding myself that reading before I post is more useful than after I post.

I think children being noisy in restaurants are like farts.

Your own are tolerable.

But anyone else's are unacceptable!