Sorry I don't have a link but just heard this on news. A coffee shop called "Taste of Heaven" has posted a very small, innocuous sign that says "children of all ages must use their inside voices". This has prompted a boycott among some of the local mothers. One mother called to confront the owner who said that her very garulous, outgoing three year old was asked to be quiet and the mom was asked to leave. The store owner said that he spoke to the server that day who didn't recall the incident happening as the mother had described. The mother did however discribe her daughter as outgoing, someone who talks and likes to engage strangers in conversation, asking them what their name is, etc.
She is offended that her daughter was made to feel bad for being outgoing and will not return to the shop.
My thoughts. I like children. I had four but if I want a quiet cup of coffee someplace, want to talk quietly to whom ever I am sitting with or just want to read the paper, I should not feel compelled to talk with an "outgoing three year old who wants to know my name". I think that this gets back to our child centered society where everything must stop in order to make that particular child the center of the universe. I think my parents were onto something when they said, "don't speak until you are spoken to". Any thoughts?
She is offended that her daughter was made to feel bad for being outgoing and will not return to the shop.
My thoughts. I like children. I had four but if I want a quiet cup of coffee someplace, want to talk quietly to whom ever I am sitting with or just want to read the paper, I should not feel compelled to talk with an "outgoing three year old who wants to know my name". I think that this gets back to our child centered society where everything must stop in order to make that particular child the center of the universe. I think my parents were onto something when they said, "don't speak until you are spoken to". Any thoughts?
She likes setting a good example for other kids.
You were all children once. Isn't it archaic to feel that children should be restrained? How will they develop the self confidence to move into a society that doesn't welcome their opinions, thoughts and feelings? Shouldn't they have equal access to what the rest of us enjoy? Are children interacting without the refined ability to modulate their voices any more disturbing than some adult russeling the pages of his newspaper? A group of mothers who are willing to go into a shop, buy coffee and muffins and sit and relax for a couple of hours while their children entertain themselves should be welcomed.
but I wouldn't have thought about bringing them to a coffee shop. I don't frequent them, as there are none close to me and they're expensive, but on the rare occasions I go, it's a special treat and I want to sit and talk with my friends peacefully, sans noisy kids. 
