In light of the "mean to my 4 year old thread"... what would you think about this?

[BelleWDW]

I once had my twins - about age 4 - 5 at the time with me at lunch at Outback Steakhouse. .

Since when is Outback opened for lunch? Its one of those night time only chains.

 

[golfgal]

some people are such idiots.........

Another example of a special snowflake--I am sure that mom has no idea that most people really don't want to talk to her kid while they are enjoying an evening out.

Sort of related--we went out to eat with some friends last night to a coffee shop/wine bar/jazz club and were enjoying the music when a couple with a child around the age of 1 walks in. First, they were annoyed that all the tables were full and they had to stand, next their kid was babbling, loudly the entire time. This is not a kid friendly place and this kid was getting to the point where no one could enjoy the music. Get a babysitter or STAY HOME.

 

[luvthatdisney]

Since when is Outback opened for lunch? Its one of those night time only chains.

Several years ago our local Outback was open for lunch, our office made it a point to try it. Must have not gone over well as it did not last too long, but it did occur. The PP did state it was when their children were younger, so it may have been around the same time it happened here.

 

[AshleyW]

Since when is Outback opened for lunch? Its one of those night time only chains.

Ours started serving lunch on the weekends within the past couple months. Weekdays it's still dinner only, though.

 

[Topper]

If a child comes up to my table in a restaurant, I signal over my wait person and tell them that I did not order this child, and they can return it to the kitchen.

 

[happygirl]

Maybe it was easier for them to let her walk around and chat. then force her to scream at her seat

 

[happygirl]

Since when is Outback opened for lunch? Its one of those night time only chains.

Ours is open for lunch 7 days a week during the Christmas season

 

[Tina]

At that point our meals arrived as did the meals at the next table and the boy's mother lifted his meal and put it on OUR table, saying to the lady sitting next to her ' Oh ........has made a new friend!!!'

 

[AshleyW]

Maybe it was easier for them to let her walk around and chat. then force her to scream at her seat

I'll remember that when I have kids. Just take the easy way out every time, instead of actually teaching my kids something - like they need to sit with the family at meal time and behave.

 

[C.Ann]

How about going to the table of the parents of the little girl and pulling up a chair and joining them for dinner? I mean how would they like it if everybody just decided to join them and talk to them like there daughter was doing?
That would be interesting I bet.

Oh - I love that!! Or better yet, as long as they were within arms reach, send one of your kids over!!

 

[C.Ann]

Maybe it was easier for them to let her walk around and chat. then force her to scream at her seat

This is a joke, right?

If a child can't be in a restaurant and sit in her seat without screaming, the child shouldn't be in the restaurant at all.. And if the parent isn't capable of "parenting" their own child, then the parent shouldn't be in the restaurant either..

 

[eliza61]

Another example of a special snowflake--I am sure that mom has no idea that most people really don't want to talk to her kid while they are enjoying an evening out.Sort of related--we went out to eat with some friends .

Remember the good ole days when kids had to "sit quietly"? Some where along the line (I blame it on all those tv sitcoms where are the little kids are precocious and there's a laugh track) we morphed into this society where every one thinks there kids are just tooo precious.
It's an extension of the "me" generation. As long as it's easier on me, then all is well.

When I go to church I amazed at how many parents will let their kids walk up and down the aisles or better yet cry and scream. What ever happened to getting up and taking the kid outta the main sanctuary? I actually had a mom tell me she didnt want to miss the sermon. Well, you know what? that's the joys of parenthood, you some times miss out,

 

[Tina]

Maybe it was easier for them to let her walk around and chat. then force her to scream at her seat

Then maybe the family should have left the restaurant instead of disturbing the rest of the patrons.

 

[eliza61]

Then maybe the family should have left the restaurant instead of disturbing the rest of the patrons.

Hallelujah

 

[golfgal]

Remember the good ole days when kids had to "sit quietly"? Some where along the line (I blame it on all those tv sitcoms where are the little kids are precocious and there's a laugh track) we morphed into this society where every one thinks there kids are just tooo precious.
It's an extension of the "me" generation. As long as it's easier on me, then all is well.

When I go to church I amazed at how many parents will let their kids walk up and down the aisles or better yet cry and scream. What ever happened to getting up and taking the kid outta the main sanctuary? I actually had a mom tell me she didnt want to miss the sermon. Well, you know what? that's the joys of parenthood, you some times miss out,

And the point she totally missed is that because of her child EVERYONE ELSE missed the sermon

 

[luvmy3]

Maybe it was easier for them to let her walk around and chat. then force her to scream at her seat

If the child was *forced* to scream at the table because she was made to sit there then those parents shouldn't be taking her out to restaurants to begin with.

 

[happygirl]

Then maybe the family should have left the restaurant instead of disturbing the rest of the patrons.

I totally agree. but sadly there are some parents out there you don't want to have to deal with there kids

My kids know they better not act up in public or we are off the closet restroom

 

[MIGrandma]

When I worked as a waitress I absolutely hated parents who allowed their child (ren) to just wander around the restaurant, especially when it was busy. We were carrying trays of food, hot coffee, etc. and could have easily hurt the child if we didn't see them as we were coming through from the kitchen, or turning the corner into the other dining room.

Our boss never did a thing about it, didn't want to "offend" the parents I guess.

Now in your situation, I wouldn't have even talked to the child except to tell her to go away and get back to her own table and behave. When DH and I go out to eat, which isn't often, I do not want to be bothered by other people's children, no matter if they are speshul little snowflakes.

When your wife went over to the parents and told them about the child wandering and the parents didn't even care? Wow. How rude of them. They probably would rather have her bothering other people, instead of them. Sad, really.

If you're not going to keep your children under control when you go out to eat, leave them at home with a sitter IMO.

 

[shortbun]

Although I would never have allowed this with my child, I'm not suprised and I would not have been annoyed. I would not have spoken to her parents either. I guess I'm immune to children behaving badly but I have to say that this child was only guilty of behaving precociously and really not in any danger. In my family, if a child needs conversation or needs to leave the table, one of the adults in our party takes care of it. I just can not judge these people. Their child may grow up to be a very savvy and confident adult which is soooo not the case for many children who are not allowed to stretch or have any freedoms. There is argument for either extreme I guess. (Not saying you're overprotective PD, you have never seemed like it to me, just saying there are others out there who are.)

 

[luvmy3]

Although I would never have allowed this with my child, I'm not suprised and I would not have been annoyed. I would not have spoken to her parents either. I guess I'm immune to children behaving badly but I have to say that this child was only guilty of behaving precociously and really not in any danger. In my family, if a child needs conversation or needs to leave the table, one of the adults in our party takes care of it. I just can not judge these people. Their child may grow up to be a very savvy and confident adult which is soooo not the case for many children who are not allowed to stretch or have any freedoms. There is argument for either extreme I guess. (Not saying you're overprotective PD, you have never seemed like it to me, just saying there are others out there who are.)

I wouldn't have been annoyed with the child speaking to me during my meal, but I do think letting them roam freely around a restaurant is putting her in danger and possibly others.