clueless parents at Le Cellier

[smylie1]

Last year at Le Cellier, we were waiting to be seated and as you know, even with ADR's, the wait is sometimes quite a while. We were standing in the small "lobby" area where the benches are. There were many people waiting so it was pretty tight quarters. A couple with 2 small children probably 3-4 years old had all their souvenier bags and back packs piled up on the bench which took up seating for other guests. They also allowed their children to roll and scoot around in the floor bumping into and kicking people. When the kids had questions, they were encouraged to "go ask the lady". Meaning the lady at the desk who was terribly busy. The kids would then go behind the counter and tug on her! All the while the parents had the "awwweee isn't that cute!" look on their faces. You should have seen the knowing glances all us others were shooting each other. I thought applause was going to erupt when they were finallly seated.

Do I keep too tight of a reighn on my kids for making them stay right by my side and give up seats to adults? I had mine sit in the floor and lean against our legs to make sure they weren't too far out in the floor and allow more people to sit. What kind of behavior do you expect from your children?

 

[noahdove]

I would do the same as you with my children. I did it last August with the 2 that I took and I feel that we adults need to teach our children manners and social graces. Give yourself a pat on the back...

 

[PatricenPete]

Personally, I never make my kids give up their seats for adults - those little legs are tired after walking all day. However, I would never allow them to run rampant through a crowded lobby, harrassing other patrons or the staff. I swear sometimes I feel like I am too hard on my kids because I don't let them run willy nilly through stores or scream in restaurants. We were in Japan having dinner in Teppen Edo on our last trip and we actually had an older couple come over to us to tell us how impressed they were with how well behaved my kids were (they were 3 and 2 at the time). I was so proud I never think that bad behavior is cute!

 

[Wendy_in_Wonderland]

I wouldn't make my kids give up seats though I might if there was someone who needed it more than I did (pregnant, elderly, disabled etc...) I would never take up much needed seating with my "stuff" though that's reprehensible. If you can't carry it/hold it you don't need it. I would have been mortified if my children behaved like that no matter if the restaurant was Le Cellier or McDonald's! It's ridiculous.

 

[smylie1]

My thinking is that my 8 year old can sit comfortably in the floor with my legs to lean back on easier than a 40+ year old who has walked miles on 40+ year old legs can stand and wait for another 30 minutes to get to sit down haha!

 

[g3pak]

I can't believe you are writing about my family on here.

Ha ha, obviously kidding. Since we have 2 small children, this is what we usually do. I allow my wife to sit with the younger one in her lap. If there is an elderly person standing, then she offers to get up to free up a seat, but if it is just other people that are as able-bodied as us, then I will stand while they sit. We sure don't take up seating with bags, etc. I end up holding those if we can't do anything else with them.

To me, it is about respect. We insist that our kids behave out of respect for others, and we will offer seats out of respect to our elders. Disrespect is not cute.

 

[Sandy321]

I was thinking they were like the family we met at LeCellier - the mom was furious they werent seating first come - She had m ade ressies 6 months in advance, but earliest ressie was 8pm, and darn it that was too late for her lil kids, so she came in early EXPECTING to be seated earlier -

it was truly ridiculous! They were seated at their adr time - and their kids were obnoxious in the waiting area, but as soon as they were seated - they fell fast asleep!!

 

[Pumbaa_]

this thread is really not dining related guys, thread is closed