Family kicked out of Applebee's due to unruly kids

[North of Mouse]

I thought of this thread today after my lunch today. We went out to Cheddar's(a family chain in the South if not familiar) and it's always crowded and loud. We were seated in a booth and across from us sat down a big family with a toddler boy. He hadn't been seated 5 minutes and he was up running around going to tables and looking, spitting straws at people, and throwing napkins. The oldest sibling was trying her hardest to control the boy but it wasn't happening.

I've learned just don't make eye contact, smile at that kind of acting child, or anything else that is considered encouragement. Well, the boy comes over and spits paper napkin in my food. I grabbed the straw and said sit down in probably the meanest voice I have. The waitress comes over and she is apologizing and bring the manager over and he is apologizing. He offers to bring me another entrée and comp the meal. I said please don't comp the meal, and looked at the family and said charge it to them. He is the reason I didn't finish the meal. We gathered our things and left. No clue what happened after that.

You did the right thing! Others should have the courage to do what you did. Some parents are SO clueless. Think everyone should enjoy all their snowflakes little antics - sorry, not.

 

[aaarcher86]

I thought of this thread today after my lunch today. We went out to Cheddar's(a family chain in the South if not familiar) and it's always crowded and loud. We were seated in a booth and across from us sat down a big family with a toddler boy. He hadn't been seated 5 minutes and he was up running around going to tables and looking, spitting straws at people, and throwing napkins. The oldest sibling was trying her hardest to control the boy but it wasn't happening.

I've learned just don't make eye contact, smile at that kind of acting child, or anything else that is considered encouragement. Well, the boy comes over and spits paper napkin in my food. I grabbed the straw and said sit down in probably the meanest voice I have. The waitress comes over and she is apologizing and bring the manager over and he is apologizing. He offers to bring me another entrée and comp the meal. I said please don't comp the meal, and looked at the family and said charge it to them. He is the reason I didn't finish the meal. We gathered our things and left. No clue what happened after that.

That would have been my snap moment.

 

[pampam]

I'm wondering how this would have played out if it had been in a Disney restaurant instead of an Applebees. As an example, if it had been at Kona Cafe, Tony's or Le Cellier, the servers are carrying trays of hot food, etc so it would have been dangerous for a child to be running loose. I hope Disney would step up to the plate, to box their food to go or something like that to keep peace among the other guests. I've been many, many times to WDw but I've never seen children misbehaving like that. I suppose it must happen, but I've never witnessed anything worth noteing.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I thought of this thread today after my lunch today. We went out to Cheddar's(a family chain in the South if not familiar) and it's always crowded and loud. We were seated in a booth and across from us sat down a big family with a toddler boy. He hadn't been seated 5 minutes and he was up running around going to tables and looking, spitting straws at people, and throwing napkins. The oldest sibling was trying her hardest to control the boy but it wasn't happening.

I've learned just don't make eye contact, smile at that kind of acting child, or anything else that is considered encouragement. Well, the boy comes over and spits paper napkin in my food. I grabbed the straw and said sit down in probably the meanest voice I have. The waitress comes over and she is apologizing and bring the manager over and he is apologizing. He offers to bring me another entrée and comp the meal. I said please don't comp the meal, and looked at the family and said charge it to them. He is the reason I didn't finish the meal. We gathered our things and left. No clue what happened after that.

You did the right thing! Others should have the courage to do what you did. Some parents are SO clueless. Think everyone should enjoy all their snowflakes little antics - sorry, not.

That would have been my snap moment.

For real.

 

[Christine]

No, but the PP said don't let them out (of strollers) in places like restaurants and theme parks. I'm not disagreeing that there are kids out of control in both places, but again that is poor parenting, not something that should be generalized like that. We do bring our stroller with us to DL, but that doesn't mean that my little one will stay in the stroller the entire time, nor should she be expected to. I don't let my kids run around, out of control and I don't think that because some people allow that, all parents should be expected to keep their kids in strollers. I don't want anybody getting hurt, but DL is meant for all ages, so if they can all have common courtesy, they all have equal right to walk.

And I stand by that I have had more "close encounters" where somebody could get hurt with adults stopping in bad places than I have ever had with kids. But maybe that's because I have small kids, so I'm always paying attention to that height.

When my DD was 3 1/2, we took her to Disney with a stroller. Lord yes, she was out of the stroller. However, I held her hand the entire time. She didn't roam/toddle away from. I realize different kids tolerate things differently (for instance, I said upthread that my kids wouldn't really settle down in a restaurant so we just didn't go for years) and I realize some kids would be loathe to hold your hand for several hours but you have to make do with what the situation is.

If you have a child that sticks close by, then by all means, let them out of the stroller. If you've got a "runner" or one that is headstrong and refuses to stick close by then, yep, that child should stay in the stroller until you can get to an area where it's safe to let him/her out.

 

[luvsJack]

Our family all met for supper last night at a local sports bar and grill. DS had his younger dd with him, she is 2. (older one was with her mom)

We didn't strap her in to her high chair or keep her in a stroller. She sat and colored or watched the big screens until the food arrived. After eating while we were all talking or watching the game, she moved around but never left our table. We were in a corner and at a large table so she was never in anyone's way. She just would go from her daddy to her uncle to her aunt and then to me or dh.

At wdw, I would never let a little one just run around but I would let one out to see the ducks and walk around a little in certain areas. Sitting in a stroller all day isn't letting them enjoy their time there. Adults should not be running through the park anyway, there are other kids that are old enough not to be in a stroller that could easily be run over.

Little ones can be allowed to be little ones without having to be kept in a stroller or high chair all the time.

 

[aaarcher86]

I'm wondering how this would have played out if it had been in a Disney restaurant instead of an Applebees. As an example, if it had been at Kona Cafe, Tony's or Le Cellier, the servers are carrying trays of hot food, etc so it would have been dangerous for a child to be running loose. I hope Disney would step up to the plate, to box their food to go or something like that to keep peace among the other guests. I've been many, many times to WDw but I've never seen children misbehaving like that. I suppose it must happen, but I've never witnessed anything worth noteing.

I've experienced an unreasonably unruly set of kids at Cape May dinner. The parents did nothing but sit there, drink their wine, and chat. The kids were running up and down the aisle, yelling and wrestling, etc. it wasn't until the point that a child took food off of my daughters plate that I said something. I was shocked no one from Disney tried to get the parents to mind their kids.

 

[::danielle::]

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.

Here is an awesome example of a company who didn't take take the "customer is always right" stance when a girl felt that the rules don't apply to her.

http://youtu.be/dBFP0Gj7Iss

Edited to link to censored version

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm wondering how this would have played out if it had been in a Disney restaurant instead of an Applebees. As an example, if it had been at Kona Cafe, Tony's or Le Cellier, the servers are carrying trays of hot food, etc so it would have been dangerous for a child to be running loose. I hope Disney would step up to the plate, to box their food to go or something like that to keep peace among the other guests. I've been many, many times to WDw but I've never seen children misbehaving like that. I suppose it must happen, but I've never witnessed anything worth noteing.

This doesn't strike me as the sort of family that would have appreciated having their food boxed to go for them because their kid was acting up.

 

[::danielle::]

Here is an awesome example of a company who didn't take take the "customer is always right" stance when a girl felt that the rules don't apply to her.

Warning: there are some choice words Edited to remove uncensored link

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

When my DD was 3 1/2, we took her to Disney with a stroller. Lord yes, she was out of the stroller. However, I held her hand the entire time. She didn't roam/toddle away from. I realize different kids tolerate things differently (for instance, I said upthread that my kids wouldn't really settle down in a restaurant so we just didn't go for years) and I realize some kids would be loathe to hold your hand for several hours but you have to make do with what the situation is.

If you have a child that sticks close by, then by all means, let them out of the stroller. If you've got a "runner" or one that is headstrong and refuses to stick close by then, yep, that child should stay in the stroller until you can get to an area where it's safe to let him/her out.

I totally agree with this. But it seems to me that the parents who realize the limits of their own children/situation are not the problem. They are respectful of others, the atmosphere, etc. Those who let their children run wild aren't likely to care how it affects other people.

 

[momrek06]

Did anyone say that all toddlers should never be let out of their strollers in public? I don't think so. The PP talked about people having to dodge wandering children at DL. It's a matter of degree and individual situations.

The difference tho between an adult staying out of an adult's way and an adult having to deal with a child running around is that you can see an adult easier than you can see someone knee high who's oblivious to what's going on around him/her. Not to say there are never rude and oblivious adults out there. And you said the bigger safety issue is the adults running through the park...all the more reason not to have a toddler loose to get tripped over.

I will take my 22 month old DGD to the soccer field this week when she visits, and let her run around like a nut, but I will be taking her during the day when school is in session. I will not be taking her after school when there undoubtedly will be soccer practices going on, as I learned quite quickly one weekend when I brought her to the playground at that same park that swings aren't as interesting as flying soccer balls during games. We left quickly.

So just as being loose at the soccer field depends on the situation, so does being loose at WDW, or DL, or anywhere else.

THANKS, MARE, you totally understand me!!!

 

[mousey]

I seriously think some parents think its cute when little Susie or Billy run around a restaurant and the servers try to dodge them while carrying their heavy hot food or drink trays. Its also so annoying for the other tables that have to sit and watch the circus!

 

[Turn the Page]

This reminds me of an incident from my waitressing days.

I was working in a Tex Mex type place in Kentucky at the time. An business wanted to have their company Christmas party there and another server and I were planning to split the table. When the party got there there were only about 15 people so I took the table myself. It must have been a very small office because employees brought their spouses and children. After finishing the meal the parents decided to sit around and have a cocktail or two while the kids ran around like lunatics. There were three little girls in particular. One was about 7, one around 5, and another that was 3.

Thankfully it wasn't busy that evening but even so, the kids were running all over the place for nearly an hour, nearly tripped me several times and almost took out another server with a full tray of drinks from the bar. The parents were totally oblivious. At some point the kids decided to play hide and seek. Finally, the mother of the 3 year old discovers she is missing. The adults at the table had the entire staff of the restaurant looking all over for this kid, back in the kitchen, absolutely everywhere. The men from the table went out in the parking lot to look for her and the mother is freaking out thinking she had been kidnapped. They finally found the girl hiding underneath a table waiting to be seeked. The mom grabbed her and took her in the bathroom to spank her. I thought the mother deserved the spanking more. If the child is misbehaving like that it's because she has never been taught how to behave properly, she doesn't know any better.

The place had a policy that automatic 18% gratuity was added on to checks for any party over 8 so gratuity was already on the bill but the person hosting the party tipped an extra 20% over that and even more on top of that. I ended up making about $300 on that table. It was obvious he was trying to make up for the trouble. I didn't feel at all bad for not pointing out to the man that gratuity was already on the check.

 

[momrek06]

I thought of this thread today after my lunch today. We went out to Cheddar's(a family chain in the South if not familiar) and it's always crowded and loud. We were seated in a booth and across from us sat down a big family with a toddler boy. He hadn't been seated 5 minutes and he was up running around going to tables and looking, spitting straws at people, and throwing napkins. The oldest sibling was trying her hardest to control the boy but it wasn't happening.

I've learned just don't make eye contact, smile at that kind of acting child, or anything else that is considered encouragement. Well, the boy comes over and spits paper napkin in my food. I grabbed the straw and said sit down in probably the meanest voice I have. The waitress comes over and she is apologizing and bring the manager over and he is apologizing. He offers to bring me another entrée and comp the meal. I said please don't comp the meal, and looked at the family and said charge it to them. He is the reason I didn't finish the meal. We gathered our things and left. No clue what happened after that.

Holy crap, Tina!!! What an annoyance. I wonder how that did play out.

(p.s. lovie, how the heck are you?)

I seriously think some parents think its cute when little Susie or Billy run around a restaurant and the servers try to dodge them while carrying their heavy hot food or drink trays. Its also so annoying for the other tables that have to sit and watch the circus!

mousey, THIS ^^^^^^^ is EXACTLY what I was getting at with my post. Parents think its 'cute' at the expense of others.

 

[momrek06]

This reminds me of an incident from my waitressing days.

I was working in a Tex Mex type place in Kentucky at the time. An business wanted to have their company Christmas party there and another server and I were planning to split the table. When the party got there there were only about 15 people so I took the table myself. It must have been a very small office because employees brought their spouses and children. After finishing the meal the parents decided to sit around and have a cocktail or two while the kids ran around like lunatics. There were three little girls in particular. One was about 7, one around 5, and another that was 3.

Thankfully it wasn't busy that evening but even so, the kids were running all over the place for nearly an hour, nearly tripped me several times and almost took out another server with a full tray of drinks from the bar. The parents were totally oblivious. At some point the kids decided to play hide and seek. Finally, the mother of the 3 year old discovers she is missing. The adults at the table had the entire staff of the restaurant looking all over for this kid, back in the kitchen, absolutely everywhere. The men from the table went out in the parking lot to look for her and the mother is freaking out thinking she had been kidnapped. They finally found the girl hiding underneath a table waiting to be seeked. The mom grabbed her and took her in the bathroom to spank her. I thought the mother deserved the spanking more. If the child is misbehaving like that it's because she has never been taught how to behave properly, she doesn't know any better.

The place had a policy that automatic 18% gratuity was added on to checks for any party over 8 so gratuity was already on the bill but the person hosting the party tipped an extra 20% over that and even more on top of that. I ended up making about $300 on that table. It was obvious he was trying to make up for the trouble. I didn't feel at all bad for not pointing out to the man that gratuity was already on the check.

BUT


on your gratuity.

 

[aaarcher86]

I seriously think some parents think its cute when little Susie or Billy run around a restaurant and the servers try to dodge them while carrying their heavy hot food or drink trays. Its also so annoying for the other tables that have to sit and watch the circus!

Completely this! There are two moms at my daughter's dance studio that let their babies crawl all over the place, climb on people, interrupt lessons, etc. It is freaking nuts. Strange babies climbing up my legs with their slobbery hands covered in dirt and picking sparkles off my daughter's shoes are not adorable. I will snap one day. SOON.