Would it be unforgivably tacky if...?

[TDC Nala]

She asked if she'd get "dirty looks." If she does get dirty looks about a kid playing a game console thing with earphones in, she should ignore them.

 

[auntfrannie]

I would rather see a kid sitting quietly playing a game than the little girl at the table across from me at Narcoossee's who was throwing her crayons on the floor. I don't think Cali Grill is all that high class! It's a nice restaurant but way too noisy with too many casually attired diners to be considered high class.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I would rather see a kid sitting quietly playing a game than the little girl at the table across from me at Narcoossee's who was throwing her crayons on the floor. I don't think Cali Grill is all that high class! It's a nice restaurant but way to noisy with too many casually attired diners to be considered high class.

I agree. I don't think it's a big deal. It wouldn't be a blip on my radar at all. We like CG, it's nice, but I don't think of it as is "high class".

I'm surprised at the responses! OP, this thread would be even more interesting with a poll.

 

[seadd67]

She asked if she'd get "dirty looks." If she does get dirty looks about a kid playing a game console thing with earphones in, she should ignore them.

yep, Its everyones right to think what they want. Who cares what someone else thinks Its not going to bother or change whta we do.

 

[OceanAnnie]

She asked if she'd get "dirty looks." If she does get dirty looks about a kid playing a game console thing with earphones in, she should ignore them.

I agree. It's an anniversary meal isn't it? Focus on that as I suspect most others will be focused on their meals and family. The few people giving you dirty looks might get an eye cramp hoping to be noticed.

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

I don't think I would even notice a kid playing with a nintendo. Our 9 y.o. ate at the CG with us for our anniversary last June. I don't see a problem with taking your kid with you, as long as he is quiet and respectful of the other diners who are paying big bucks to eat there.

 

[JasonsPrincess]

Go ahead! As an adult disney lover with no kids yet, it wouldn't bother me at all to have your DS playing his DS with headphones. My youngest brother is 12, and very well behaved. He can sit in any normal restaurant and wait for his food like everyone else without and ipod or DS..but disney isn't any normal restaurant.. especially at CG grill with a view of MK, your child is going to see the park and want to be there riding rides, seeing the shows, not sitting in a restaurant. If the Club idea works, then he could go there, while you and hubby dine..but I know when I was that age, I was very shy and introverted, and I would've never been comfortable being dropped off somewhere by myself..even at Disney! If this is the case and you can't go that route, I would take the DS in your purse, and see how the evening goes. If he starts getting finicky and restless, then atleast you have a solution for the remainder of the meal.

 

[U2_rocks!]

OMG people - get over yourselves. The OP is absolutely correct. It is his vacation too. We have traveled with our kids since they were tiny, and while we don't allow books, toys, electronics, etc., at our home dinner table, we also don't eat dessert or keep them up late every night at home like we do at Disney. When oldest DD was 1.5, we took an Alaskan cruise and she was one of the few kids there. She was very polite, but did something very childlike - she kept saying hello to everyone in the elevator with us - oh the horror ;-). It prompted me to apologize to those around us because I got some dirty looks from people. A very nice older man said "no need to apologize, it's her vacation too". It was so kind of him, and while that is not meant to say that anyone can disregard others' feelings while on vacation, it did remind me that adults should not expect kids to be seen and not heard, etc. They are people too and have just as much right to be there and enjoy themselves as all of the judgmental people who keep telling the OP how to parent. As a side note, another guest overheard this and said "but they don't charge as much for kids" - I feel sorry for some people who will never be happy.

Anyway, OP did not ask for parenting advice, she asked if it would be rude to others. She has also made it clear that her intention is not to use it throughout the meal or disrupt others with it. Her son sounds like a great child in fact.

We paid for the neverland club in December while we went to Cali Grill, and it was a waste of money. The kids did not enjoy it, we were on the Deluxe dining plan, so we didn't save money on their meal that way, it was just an extra $100 expense. We thought the kids would enjoy it more than sitting through our long meal, but now we know that it was not worth the extra cost. We have learned from that experience.

We love Cali Grill and have 2 ADRs there next month with our DD4 and DD9, and we will be taking their DSi's and will only let them play with them after we have our family conversation and they are finished eating, etc. But our parenting style should not concern any of you....

I truly understand that some people may find the use of electronics (even in a limited way) in a restaurant tacky, but I think it's just as tacky to give people dirty looks or comment on it! That was really what the OP was asking - whether she'd get visible (or audible) flack for allowing the DS.

Feel free to judge this family and their DS, but please do so quietly and without notice, otherwise you're just as bad. It's bad manners to comment on other people's parenting choices, unless the child is in some sort of danger, I guess, or the child is being disruptive. A child quietly playing a DS and not disturbing anyone should never elicit "dirty looks" or any other kind of obvious scorn, no matter how much someone may disagree with the practice.

 

[Planogirl]

I personally don't care what other people do at their tables as long as none of it affects surrounding diners. I'm surprised that an older kid would get bored but you know your kid best and going to WDW is all about people being happy after all.

 

[FireDancer]

I personally don't care what other people do at their tables as long as none of it affects surrounding diners. I'm surprised that an older kid would get bored but you know your kid best and going to WDW is all about people being happy after all.

This is what I think. I do think it is rude to have electronics at the dinner table and there are never any allowed at our family's but I don't care what other people do at their tables. It is the same as what people wear at a restaurant. I just worry about me and don't feel the need to nanny those around you.

To the OP, you very well might get dirty looks but that is out of your control. Whether or not you allow your child to use a DS with the sound off is something you can control and if you see no problem with it I wouldn't either.

 

[Googilycub]

I dont understand why anybody has a problem with a nintendo at the table. We are going for 8 nights on the DXDP, and are doing signatures for several of the nights. This is asking alot of my child (age 4). She is going to have to sit through 2-3 sit down meals a day, some of them taking 2 hours or more. I know that it is my choice to do the dining plan, but it's my vacation too. With that being said, it is also my daughters vacation. If she finishes her meal, why not let her play with one of her toys??? In my opinion I would rather have her happy and ocupied, than sitting there with nothing to do. I would never let her do this at home...but seriously people...we are on vacation. I do believe that when we do these meals I am the one paying for my dinner. If anybody wants to foot the bill for my meal, I will happily put the game away.

 

[Dimmsdale]

Having been to the Cali Grill only 2 weeks ago with a 9 yr old who took her DS I'll tell you its fine. As long earbuds are used and he doesn't get crazy over winning at something. We went for our 22nd anniversary celebration and it was great. Very mixed kind of crowd, dressed up grown ups, families with all age kids, people you know came directly from the park w/bags and such. If you get a 7;30 reservation they will hold your food if you get up to watch the fireworks off the deck. Our server tipped us off to go about 7:45 or so to get a good viewing spot by the rails. It was great! Have fun if you go and Happy Anniversary!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I dont understand why anybody has a problem with a nintendo at the table. We are going for 8 nights on the DXDP, and are doing signatures for several of the nights. This is asking alot of my child (age 4). She is going to have to sit through 2-3 sit down meals a day, some of them taking 2 hours or more. I know that it is my choice to do the dining plan, but it's my vacation too. With that being said, it is also my daughters vacation. If she finishes her meal, why not let her play with one of her toys??? In my opinion I would rather have her happy and ocupied, than sitting there with nothing to do. I would never let her do this at home...but seriously people...we are on vacation. I do believe that when we do these meals I am the one paying for my dinner. If anybody wants to foot the bill for my meal, I will happily put the game away.

Four is a lot different than 11.

 

[gogo]

It occurred to me that at some restaurants cel phones are not allowed. And, when we stayed at the club level at the Ritz Carlton in Naples there were no cel phones allowed and they did enforce this rule. Normal cel phone use doesn't bother me if done discreetly. But, this is there rule and it needed to be abided by if you wanted to use the lounge.

Now, if Cali Grill or any other signature restaurants do not care about a nintendo game then I would do whatever works for your family. There have been many times that people are dressed very tacky in nice restaurants everywhere not just Disney. I might notice but I can't imagine staring or giving dirty looks. This is strictly the restaurants concern. Its up to the establishment as to what type of atmoshpere they want to have.

So, this is just another thought for the OP. If Disney doesn't have a rule against it, then do what's best for you. My son is a teen now but when younger I would always think of ways to keep him quiet for us and the other diners. (if needed) And even using minor distractions for a child or preteen during a long dinner certainly doesn't cause long term social damage lol.

To the OP, relax and have a good time. You will never please everyone.

 

[U2_rocks!]

You know, people keep mentioning his age (11) as a way of saying that he doesn't NEED to play a DS during dinner. Well, IMHO this isn't really about NEED. A 4 year-old can be entertained with crayons and other things. To me, it's about how that family wants to spend their time during dinner. I imagine that they'll arrive and wait a while to get seated. After seating, they'll be looking at menus and deciding what to eat. Then they'll be waiting for the food. Now, mom and dad want a nice relaxing meal, and possibly that means appetizers, entrees and dessert. So they chat as a family through appetizers and maybe entree. But by the time they are waiting for dessert, they've exhausted family conversation, and mom and dad are chatting about grown-up things - even an 11 year old can be a bit bored and restless. It's not that he cannot sit still and behave - it's more that his parents are now full and relaxed and are winding down with dessert and coffee, and that's their way of ending the evening. The son is obviously not going to enjoy the end of the evening the same way as his parents, so why not let him do something he enjoys?

I really don't see playing DS games an all or nothing thing - it's not as "black and white" as some people make it out to be. Do people really let their kids play DS all meal long? I suppose some might, but I would guess most don't. And why does it matter to anyone else whether a kid gets a 15 minute DS playing treat, or if they play for the whole meal? It's not your child!

I don't mean to be argumentative - I'm really trying to understand why this is such a big deal.

 

[JUJU814]

You know, people keep mentioning his age (11) as a way of saying that he doesn't NEED to play a DS during dinner. Well, IMHO this isn't really about NEED. A 4 year-old can be entertained with crayons and other things. To me, it's about how that family wants to spend their time during dinner. I imagine that they'll arrive and wait a while to get seated. After seating, they'll be looking at menus and deciding what to eat. Then they'll be waiting for the food. Now, mom and dad want a nice relaxing meal, and possibly that means appetizers, entrees and dessert. So they chat as a family through appetizers and maybe entree. But by the time they are waiting for dessert, they've exhausted family conversation, and mom and dad are chatting about grown-up things - even an 11 year old can be a bit bored and restless. It's not that he cannot sit still and behave - it's more that his parents are now full and relaxed and are winding down with dessert and coffee, and that's their way of ending the evening. The son is obviously not going to enjoy the end of the evening the same way as his parents, so why not let him do something he enjoys?

I really don't see playing DS games an all or nothing thing - it's not as "black and white" as some people make it out to be. Do people really let their kids play DS all meal long? I suppose some might, but I would guess most don't. And why does it matter to anyone else whether a kid gets a 15 minute DS playing treat, or if they play for the whole meal? It's not your child!

I don't mean to be argumentative - I'm really trying to understand why this is such a big deal.

I think the only reason it's such a big deal is because the OP made it a big deal by asking on a public forum if it would be "unforgivably tacky" . If you don't care what other people think, then why ask??

What a boring thread it would be all 100 and something answers were simple "yes" or "no".

Also, if those that think it's no problem can expound on their reasons they think so, then why can't those of the opposite view expound on their reasons why they believe it is tacky?

I don't see what everyone is freaking out about. This thread is one case where the OP actually ASKED.

It's funny, because if someone posts something and unexpectedly gets attacked saying they didn't ask for such and such an opinion, then those attackers come back at you with "when you post on a public forum expect opinions"

I've learned..if I don't want opinions..one way or the other...don't ask!

 

[racefanof88]

OMG people - get over yourselves. The OP is absolutely correct. It is his vacation too. We have traveled with our kids since they were tiny, and while we don't allow books, toys, electronics, etc., at our home dinner table, we also don't eat dessert or keep them up late every night at home like we do at Disney. When oldest DD was 1.5, we took an Alaskan cruise and she was one of the few kids there. She was very polite, but did something very childlike - she kept saying hello to everyone in the elevator with us - oh the horror ;-). It prompted me to apologize to those around us because I got some dirty looks from people. A very nice older man said "no need to apologize, it's her vacation too". It was so kind of him, and while that is not meant to say that anyone can disregard others' feelings while on vacation, it did remind me that adults should not expect kids to be seen and not heard, etc. They are people too and have just as much right to be there and enjoy themselves as all of the judgmental people who keep telling the OP how to parent. As a side note, another guest overheard this and said "but they don't charge as much for kids" - I feel sorry for some people who will never be happy.

Anyway, OP did not ask for parenting advice, she asked if it would be rude to others. She has also made it clear that her intention is not to use it throughout the meal or disrupt others with it. Her son sounds like a great child in fact.

We paid for the neverland club in December while we went to Cali Grill, and it was a waste of money. The kids did not enjoy it, we were on the Deluxe dining plan, so we didn't save money on their meal that way, it was just an extra $100 expense. We thought the kids would enjoy it more than sitting through our long meal, but now we know that it was not worth the extra cost. We have learned from that experience.

We love Cali Grill and have 2 ADRs there next month with our DD4 and DD9, and we will be taking their DSi's and will only let them play with them after we have our family conversation and they are finished eating, etc. But our parenting style should not concern any of you....

 

[U2_rocks!]

I think the only reason it's such a big deal is because the OP made it a big deal by asking on a public forum if it would be "unforgivably tacky" . If you don't care what other people think, then why ask??

What a boring thread it would be all 100 and something answers were simple "yes" or "no".

Also, if those that think it's no problem can expound on their reasons they think so, then why can't those of the opposite view expound on their reasons why they believe it is tacky?

I don't see what everyone is freaking out about. This thread is one case where the OP actually ASKED.

It's funny, because if someone posts something and unexpectedly gets attacked saying they didn't ask for such and such an opinion, then those attackers come back at you with "when you post on a public forum expect opinions"

I've learned..if I don't want opinions..one way or the other...don't ask!

Freaking out??? Umm ...OK.

If chose to let my kids play DS in a restaurant in a completely non-disturbing way, I would not have to justify it to anyone. You'd have to show me why you feel justified in glaring at me or making rude remarks (assuming you would actually do something like that - not saying you would).

I can't imagine that anyone could make a case for this being UNFORGIVABLY tacky. Sure, you can argue it's tacky, but NOT unforgivably so. It's certainly something that can be overlooked by anyone minding their own business.

I think people are well aware that opinions were asked for.

 

[Tricia1972]

Any one poster's opinion is not any more right or less right than any other poster's. This seems to be turning into a debate amongst a few posters as to who is more right and if that continues, we will close the thread.

Side note, it probably isn't necessary to continually thumb-upping those that agree with you. After a post or two, everyone knows where you stand on the matter

I have enjoyed reading everyone's opinion on this matter, and hope that we can continue to hear everyone's opinion.

 

[U2_rocks!]

Clearly debate is not encouraged here, so I'm out.