Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I could see where children can be annoying in fine restaurants, but under 18? I could see under 10 maybe, but I would be in favor of a family area of the restaurant instead where families with children (under about 10) could sit. Some kids even younger would be fine outside the family area. The rule card that this restaurant is doing seems good as well. Good thing fine restaurants have more sense than the people of the "opinion that no person under the age of 18 should be allowed in a restaurant that does not have a singing mouse on staff."
I finally read the article. If I walked in and someone handed me that card, I'd be offended. My kids have very good restaurant manners. But the part that bugs me the most is parents have to attend their child's bathroom breaks? Really? Seriously. Both my kids started going on their own when they were 6, rarely asking for me to tag along. They walk to the bathroom, use the toilet, wash their hands and walk back. How is that bad manners or offensive?
I've been to this eating establishment. It isn't "all that". It clearly has an owner easily annoyed by children.
Your children my be fine...my kid was fine....but I've seen kids trash a bathroom. I don't blame a restaurant owner for wanting to prevent issues.
It's nothing personal....but an owner has to be consistent and give them to everyone.
I think its sad that a restaurant has to remind people what is acceptable behavior but I also thinks its sad the number of parents who don't teach their children how to behave and who don't see anything wrong with letting their kids disturb patrons and pose a danger to servers.
Kids in restaurants are a contentious issue. Some people have no problem bringing tiny infants to very posh fine-dining restaurants, while others seem to be of the opinion that no person under the age of 18 should be allowed in a restaurant that does not have a singing mouse on staff. But now one Texas restaurant has struck for a middle ground with a set of “rules cards” telling kids in the restaurant how to behave.
Let's be real...eating at Olive Garden is not the same as an actual fine dining restaurant....both require manners...but there aren't thousand dollar murals at OG either.
Last edited by Miss Blue; 11-09-2015 at 07:22 AM..
Reason: orphaned quoted post
Kids are to behave no matter where they are. No place should have to put up with others children being noisy,up running around,food all over the floor. Have also seen children very well behaved,talking quietly and not in a fancy restaurant. Its usually the so called big shots who have the least control of their kids and they will take them out when their tired,not feeling well or just out of sorts. That's when you don't take them out shopping and run all day and all night with them. When kids are being annoying don't blame the child look at what's raising them. And for those who think its ridiculous that a 6 yr old can't go to the restroom alone, what's wrong with you anyway. It doesn't take a molester 2 mins to touch your child or worse. Have also seen the mess kids can leave in restrooms.
Last edited by Miss Blue; 11-09-2015 at 07:25 AM..
Reason: post you quoted has been deleted as well as your direct response to the poster
I don't have the problem with posting rules or handing out cards...but the wording on that card is overly depreciating.
Quote:
"Children at Cuchara do not run or wander around the restaurant. They stay seated and ask their parents to take them to the restroom. They don't scream, throw tantrums, or touch the walls, murals, windows or anything of the other patrons. They are respectful!"
(Bolding is theirs, not mine)
As a parent, I'd walk out. And no, I don't let my kids behave like that. But clearly the cards are meant for the parents, not the kids, and the tone is denigrating.
If it went something like this, I wouldn't have a problem
"For the safety of your children and comfort of our other guests, please have your children stay seated at all times and accompany children to the restroom. We ask that children do not touch the walls or artwork and respect the belongings and space of other patrons."
Your children my be fine...my kid was fine....but I've seen kids trash a bathroom. I don't blame a restaurant owner for wanting to prevent issues.
It's nothing personal....but an owner has to be consistent and give them to everyone.
Yes. And they only started doing this after some damage had already been done. I think most of us have seen this, whether it's at a chain or a specialty restaurant, parents oblivious while children act up. The card is not for the children, it's meant for the parents to PLEASE pay attention.
I don't have the problem with posting rules or handing out cards...but the wording on that card is overly depreciating.
(Bolding is theirs, not mine)
As a parent, I'd walk out. And no, I don't let my kids behave like that. But clearly the cards are meant for the parents, not the kids, and the tone is denigrating.
If it went something like this, I wouldn't have a problem
"For the safety of your children and comfort of our other guests, please have your children stay seated at all times and accompany children to the restroom. We ask that children do not touch the walls or artwork and respect the belongings and space of other patrons."
See the difference?
The kind of parents who let their kids run wild are the type to need the wording in the first example. If they had any common sense the restaurant wouldn't need silly rule cards to begin with. Some parents just don't 'get it' unless you beat them over the head with it.
Status:
"Smartened up and walked away!"
(set 27 days ago)
11,788 posts, read 5,795,007 times
Reputation: 14208
Why should any parent of well behaved children be offended when you know the restaurant isn't addressing you but trying to make your visit as pleasant as possible. I don't have a problem with parents escorting their kids to the bathroom. With servers carrying big trays with hot items - the little ones go unnoticed. A tray tips - a plate slips and it's lawsuit city if that meal or plate hit a small child - and after someone exposed himself to my child in the bathroom - he never went alone.
I do get annoyed at women bringing their young sons into the ladies room and not supervising them - as I've gotten more than one little head peeking under the door and that's not appreciated.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
