Family kicked out of Applebee's due to unruly kids

[chiefmickeymouse]

Just the fact that this story made news headlines shows that there are a lot of people who are fed up with parents allowing their kids to "be kids" in public places. I realize it's a bit of a controversy, but 98% of the comments I have read have been in favor of Applebees kicking the family out. I do think calling the police was over the top.

 

[burnurcomputer]

My youngest we call Houdini. At three he can be out of his seat ( too tall for most high chairs) in a freakin flash. There have been times we looked at each other and ask "Where is Quinn??". Not only did he get passed us, he got past his three big brothers also.

Unlike the people in the post, we wrangle him in and keep him occupied. My kids aren't perfect, but they behave fairly well. Our table is normally a bit louder because we have 2 or 3 conversations going at a time. My 5 year old is very well behaved because he knows 2 strikes and your out. You get a warning, then you get a restroom warning ( no spanking, just up close and personal to isolate distractions)... then you go to the car with a family member.......and stay there!

 

[shortbun]

Reminds me of Talladega Nights

Reese Bobby: Yep, I guess things are just about perfect... it's making me feel kind of itchy...
Ricky Bobby: How 'bout we go get kicked out of an Applebee's?

This is exactly what I thought of when I saw the title of the thread. I laughed out loud.

We don't go to Applebees expecting a quiet meal. We are usually in a hurry and don't care how loud the table next to us is, especially 1 and 3 yo'ds.

 

[Missy1961]

This is exactly what I thought of when I saw the title of the thread. I laughed out loud.

We don't go to Applebees expecting a quiet meal. We are usually in a hurry and don't care how loud the table next to us is, especially 1 and 3 yo'ds.

I don't care how loud they are either. But I do expect them to stay at the table. And I don't think they're cute when they lean over their table & stare at me while I'm eating my food. (the first time it's a little cute, but after that, I don't want to look at them anymore.) It's not hard to keep them at the table. I've taken nieces & nephews out to dinner & somehow they manage to stay in their seats. I know they behaved because more than once, I got the "I didn't even know there were kids sitting there" comment from people. Once, a server told me my 6 yr old niece & her 3 yr old sister were "better behaved than some adults". So I know it can be done.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

This is exactly what I thought of when I saw the title of the thread. I laughed out loud.

We don't go to Applebees expecting a quiet meal. We are usually in a hurry and don't care how loud the table next to us is, especially 1 and 3 yo'ds.

I don't think anyone goes to Applebees expecting a "quiet" meal. And if you read the article and the thread...it was not about a couple of little kids being "loud".

 

[princesspumpkin]

Unfortunately, Applebee's apology was something that is expected in today's society. A big company does something that offends someone and it makes national news. Even though Applebee's knows that they were justified in removing the family, apologizing will keep more customers coming back.


Those who feel offended that the family was asked to leave will be happy because Applebee's apologized and will keep going there. Those that were happy the family was asked to leave will keep going there and just be tweaked that an apology was given.

Too bad the customer is always supposed to be right.

 

[cheer25mom]

Frankly, I'm sorry Applebee's caved and apologized. They should have stood their ground.

 

[aprilchem]

We have friends whose kids behave like that - my 3 will be sitting quietly at the table, while their two are running all over the place, yelling, etc. last time we ate with them the mom spent the whole meal CHASING her 4 year old all over the restaurant - around and around the salad bar, through the tables, even into the kitchen. I was embarrassed to be sitting at the table with them! We avoid going out to eat with them now.

 

[PeterPanic]

Just the fact that this story made news headlines shows that there are a lot of people who are fed up with parents allowing their kids to "be kids" in public places. I realize it's a bit of a controversy, but 98% of the comments I have read have been in favor of Applebees kicking the family out. I do think calling the police was over the top.

The police may have been a reaction to the stuff that was happening that we do not know about. It has been my experience that anyone that has ever uttered the word "disrespected" has never followed up with a shame filled apology and a "sorry we caused a problem, we will leave quietly". I'm sure the police call was totally justified.

What I'm getting tired of are the, so called Managers that must be propped up with Popsicle sticks because they certainly don't have a spine. They will do what ever they can to support the few that cause problems while ignoring the numbers of loyal socially able, but non-trouble making people that spend money there as well. Comes from being given to many trophy's for not doing anything other then breathing as they were growing up.

 

[ilovefh]

This is nuts! I can't believe Applebee's did not back their manager!

Our son behaves and sits while out at a restaurant (or any place else really) or we leave. End of story. I also clean the floor after because he still mainly eats with his hands and can make a huge mess! It's how it works.

I put my clothes back and left Lane Bryant a few weeks ago because he was not behaving.

 

[LilyWDW]

I know quite a few people who will not go to Applebee's until corporate says they will back their management teams. This includes me. I think companies need to realize that bowing down to the few families that allow their kids to be brats will only LOSE them better customers.

Also, I suspect the police were called for a very good reason. We have already had one patron come forward and state that the kids has not just wandered off once, but was being allowed to run around the restaurant screaming at diners. Which already shows that the family is lying about what happened. My guess is that they were told, more then once, that if things did not change they would have to leave. When management asked them to finally leave, they argued and refused. At this point, they are trespassing. That is when the police were called.

 

[Styx Fan]

What I'm getting tired of are the, so called Managers that must be propped up with Popsicle sticks because they certainly don't have a spine. They will do what ever they can to support the few that cause problems while ignoring the numbers of loyal socially able, but non-trouble making people that spend money there as well. Comes from being given to many trophy's for not doing anything other then breathing as they were growing up.

Give the managers a break. They are reacting to the companies that employee them and refuse to back them up. They are just trying to stay employed. Doesn't have a thing with trophy's for just showing up.

 

[LilyWDW]

What I'm getting tired of are the, so called Managers that must be propped up with Popsicle sticks because they certainly don't have a spine. They will do what ever they can to support the few that cause problems while ignoring the numbers of loyal socially able, but non-trouble making people that spend money there as well. Comes from being given to many trophy's for not doing anything other then breathing as they were growing up.

When you work for a company that never backs you, then there is not much you can do if you hope to keep your job. If corporate would support their employees instead of backing down, then management would have more power. I can't blame a manager who works for a company like Applebee's for worrying about their jobs (and their OWN family). Until you are IN that sort of situation then I am not sure how you could understand what it is like. You are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

When you work for a company that never backs you, then there is not much you can do if you hope to keep your job. If corporate would support their employees instead of backing down, then management would have more power. I can't blame a manager who works for a company like Applebee's for worrying about their jobs (and their OWN family). Until you are IN that sort of situation then I am not sure how you could understand what it is like. You are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

If Dairy Queen corporate can do it, so can Applebees: http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio...7b35e8-2158-11e3-ad1a-1a919f2ed890_story.html

 

[mrsklamc]

This isn't the first time that Applebees has inappropriately failed to back their staff IMO. It hasn't been too long since that idiot "pastor" wrote on the tip line that she only gives God 10% so why should the waitress get any more.

Waitress posted it online, thinking the signature was illegible, but the pastor was hunted down and shamed and demanded she be fired, so Applebee's did so. (yes, she probably deserved a talking to but I don't think she deserved to be fired.)IMO if you don't want your name affiliated with stupidity, don't sign it! So...haven't been eating at Applebee's since then and will continue to avoid them until they learn to treat their employees with a bit of respect.

 

[Art 1]

This isn't the first time that Applebees has inappropriately failed to back their staff IMO. It hasn't been too long since that idiot "pastor" wrote on the tip line that she only gives God 10% so why should the waitress get any more.

Waitress posted it online, thinking the signature was illegible, but the pastor was hunted down and shamed and demanded she be fired, so Applebee's did so. (yes, she probably deserved a talking to but I don't think she deserved to be fired.)IMO if you don't want your name affiliated with stupidity, don't sign it! So...haven't been eating at Applebee's since then and will continue to avoid them until they learn to treat their employees with a bit of respect.

IMO she deserved to be fired.

 

[mrsklamc]

IMO she deserved to be fired.

You're entitled to your opinion. The posted receipt didn't show a credit card number, so I don't have a problem with it.

 

[North of Mouse]

We took our children into restaurants from infancy on and seldom ever had any problems (quietly took them out if we did). We always taught them table manners from the beginning, and they always had to sit at the table when we were at home dining - no running around during mealtimes.

Manners at mealtime cannot wait to be taught in restaurants. We were not relegated to going just to fast food places while they were toddlers.

 

[Talking Hands]

We took our daughters out to restaurants and now take our grandsons. Our daughters both have been servers and one still is. We are still of the opinion that kids need to stay in their seat in a restaurant and will remove them if necessary. We take small toys, coloring books and crayons and a Leap Pad or my cell phone or Kindle Fire to entertain. As to people that use the excuse their child is special needs, special needs kids can learn to behave the same as any other kid. Love and limits are for all kids.

 

[mrsklamc]

Love and limits are for all kids.

Especially when safety is at stake. Besides, does anyone really believe that if these kids had special needs, their parents wouldn't be shouting it from the rooftops to further vilify the restaurant?