No children signs

[PghLybrt]

I was watching 20/20 last evening and saw a piece where a café owner placed a sign on the door that said

Children of all ages have to behave and use their indoor voices when they come to (name of café).

He did so after a mother had let her children literally climb up the water pipes as if it was a jungle gym. (I do not think this was the only incident, just the final one he could stand) Needless to say many parents were outraged. Many said that the sign was insulting and not the proper was to deal with the situation.

My question is in your opinion what is the proper way to deal with it?

 

[Liberty Belle]

Hmm...I guess I don't have a problem with a restaurant putting up a "no children" sign. It's their loss (or gain) if they do it.

I find that sign a bit rude, though.

 

[TimeforMe]

I don't see anything wrong with it--not rude at all.

 

[KathyTX]

I think that everyone, adults and children alike, should assume that they need to behave anytime they're in public.

It's sad that things got to the point that this business owner has to post what should be assumed good common sense. Obviously, some people don't have manners or common sense.

I don't think the sign is rude; I think the behavior that led to the need for the sign is appalling.

 

[DISUNC]

Just dont go there if you have kids! I know I wouldnt! or couldnt!
We would fail the "Inside voice" test

 

[monarchsfan16]

I don't see a sign asking children to behave as being a "no children" sign. I don't really see a problem with asking parents to control their kids. Now I'm only 20 and not a parent, but aren't parents supposed to keep their kids in line in public places? I think if the owner has seen behavior that extreme they have every right to post that sign

 

[luv2nascar]

I don't mind the sign as a mother of 2. I tell my kids the same thing. They know to mind their manners. It will not be tolerated in public. Kids will be kids but that is for at home or outside play.

If it bothered me I just wouldn't go there. Parents sometimes don't you use common sense when taking children who don't behave to quiet upscale type restaurants. I can basically take my kids anywhere because they are used to it and know what manners are. I think manners are lax in the US.

 

[disykat]

I don't see anything wrong with it. I would have still gone there with my kids and been glad there weren't misbehaving children allowed. My children would have been confused by it - of course they have to behave in a restaurant!

The sign said nothing about not allowing children. It simply said there was an expected behavior in the restaurant by all their patrons.

I couldn't believe the mom who actually showed her face on national tv after allowing her children to misbehave so badly. She should have been ashamed IMO.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I don't see anything wrong with it--not rude at all.

I guess I do because it's understood that you should behave in an appropriate manner when dining out. I think rather than insulting everyone, they should deal with people who do not follow social rules.

 

[PghLybrt]

I don't see a sign asking children to behave as being a "no children" sign. I don't really see a problem with asking parents to control their kids. Now I'm only 20 and not a parent, but aren't parents supposed to keep their kids in line in public places? I think if the owner has seen behavior that extreme they have every right to post that sign

See I did not view the sign as saying no children either, but many did. The people who did thought it was wrong but offered no insight as to how it should be handled as a business owner.

 

[ducklite]

I think that everyone, adults and children alike, should assume that they need to behave anytime they're in public.

It's sad that things got to the point that this business owner has to post what should be assumed good common sense. Obviously, some people don't have manners or common sense.

I don't think the sign is rude; I think the behavior that led to the need for the sign is appalling.

Well put.

I think it's about time that the owners of various establishments begin tossing people out for bad behaviour--out of control kids and obnoxious adults.

Anne

 

[Stephres]

My husband and I cheered when we saw that segment, and we have two children. My absolute pet peeve is when we pay for a babysitter and go out to a nice restaurant and there are kids running wild.

 

[PghLybrt]

I guess I do because it's understood that you should behave in an appropriate manner when dining out. I think rather than insulting everyone, they should deal with people who do not follow social rules.

How is the appropriate way to deal with it? That is what I am really after.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I want to find out where this Cafe is! I would LOVE to go there.

Not everyone in the world has kids. Not everyone in the world thinks that a kid running around an eating establishment screaming is "cute". Not every business owner wants to clean up the food that the kids throw on the floor, and they don't want kids getting burned by hot food because they're running around underfoot when wait staff are trying to work. People without kids or with grown kids can't just "tune it out" or "ignore it" and they shouldn't have to. They're are PLENTY of places that cater to kids, what's wrong with having a few that cater to adults?

 

[Beth76]

I don't see a sign asking children to behave as being a "no children" sign.

Yep. It's not a "no children" sign. It's actually worded to include everyone, not just children. With the implication that adults that do not behave are acting like children which I find Heck, even if it was a "no children" sign I wouldn't have a problem. I certainly don't want to take my kids to a place where they aren't welcome.

I guess I do because it's understood that you should behave in an appropriate manner when dining out. I think rather than insulting everyone, they should deal with people who do not follow social rules.

Apparently it's not understood by everyone which is why the sign was needed. No need for you to be insulted as (I'm assuming you and your childrent behave in public) it doesn't apply to you.

I wonder if this episode was a rerun. There was a similar story awhile ago about the same thing. Same basic wording of the sign too. I wonder if it's the same place or if this happened again.

I couldn't believe the mom who actually showed her face on national tv after allowing her children to misbehave so badly. She should have been ashamed IMO.

Oh I totally agree. What kind of people think it's a good idea to go on national TV to say that their kids were so bad they had to be reprimanded by someone else.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

I wouldn't be insulted, because I would know that such a sign was not going to pertain to my family since I would never allow my children to behave like that in a restaurant. Unfortunately I have seen parents that do. We were recently at a nonchain restaurant that is counter service, but has a nice large dining area with booths and tables. There is a large tractor on display. A boys team of 5 and 6 year olds came in and took the place over and were running around, yelling, and climbing on the tractor. Every bone in my first grade teacher's body was set on edge, and I was appalled that the parents sat there wrapped up in conversation and paid no attention to the kids. Besides the disruption of all the noise they were making, I couldn't take my eyes off of them and was waiting for one to fall off the tractor and get hurt. I wondered if the irresponsible parents would then have the nerve to try and sue the restaurant. I am guessing the owner of the restaurant in the OP had to experience some very rude and inconsiderate customers to motivate him to display such a sign.

 

[ducklite]

How is the appropriate way to deal with it? That is what I am really after.

I'ts easy. Take thier plates, pack them to go, present the check, and tell them it's been nice having them, they are welcome to come back when they have learned some manners. Yes, you'll lose them as customers, but you'll keep a lot more customers who might never have come back after being exposed to management turning a blind eye and deaf ear to a patron distrupting the entire restaurant.

Anne

 

[Hannathy]

I couldn't believe the mom who actually showed her face on national tv after allowing her children to misbehave so badly. She should have been ashamed IMO.

Did you see the winners from the airline incident! They were on for days and every media outlet they could find.

I see nothing wrong with the sign and find it very sad that a sign like that even needs to be put up..... I hope he enforces it, I'm tired of inconsiderate parents letting their children ruin my meal, or movie,plane ride, or even my wait in line. Enough already.

 

[PghLybrt]

I'ts easy. Take thier plates, pack them to go, present the check, and tell them it's been nice having them, they are welcome to come back when they have learned some manners. Yes, you'll lose them as customers, but you'll keep a lot more customers who might never have come back after being exposed to management turning a blind eye and deaf ear to a patron distrupting the entire restaurant.

Anne

I agree that is what I would do, but what about the customers you now lost (other than that family)? The bad experience is all that they will remember, probably not that it was rectified.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Did you see the winners from the airline incident! They were on for days and every media outlet they could find.

I see nothing wrong with the sign and find it very sad that a sign like that even needs to be put up..... I hope he enforces it, I'm tired of inconsiderate parents letting their children ruin my meal, or movie,plane ride, or even my wait in line. Enough already.