Restaurant bans kids under 6. Cool thing to do or is this guy a jerk?

[Relic]

I actually see both sides of this issue.

I've always taken my kids out for food and they've always behaved because that what they've been taught.
But I have seen some other parents give little to no regard to other patrons when they have their ill-behaved kids with them - a whining brat ruins a dining experience for pretty much everybody. (It's actually the parent at fault IMO, not the kids - just to clarify)
That said, (and I do admit that this is a bit snobby of me), I really cannot stand when my kids are thrown into the same "brat" category.
This has happened to me in the past. We would go to a popular restaurant and inevitably there would be a waiter there who would make his loathing of kids well-known. Not fair, not cool but I can see their point TBH. What do you think?


Restaurant has heard enough, bans kids - Business - Small business - msnbc.com

If your 5-year-old has a jones for the crab cakes at McDain's Restaurant, which the menu boasts are “The Best Around — Period,” you’d best take him or her there by Friday. Or be prepared to get the food to go.

Beginning Saturday, children 6 and under are no longer welcome at the restaurant in Monroeville, Pa., just outside of Pittsburgh. They’ve just become too much of a bother for the other customers.

Owner Mike Vuick built the neighboring golf center 22 years ago, then opened the restaurant nine years ago. Young children have become an increasing issue in that time, he says. But don’t accuse Vuick of hating kids — his problem is mostly with the parents.

“Parents have gradually diminished their cooperation,” he said, adding that the new policy is strictly in response to customer complaints.

“This is a three-part issue. One is the increasing number of small babies that can’t be controlled. They can’t be quiet and really they can’t be expected to.”

The second factor is kindergarten-aged kids who “have shown increasingly poor manners.” And lastly he blames parents, who “act like we’re the ones being offensive” when staff members ask them to calm their children down.
Parents, what do you think of restaurant kid bans?

Vuick describes McDain’s as “upscale casual” and isn’t even sure why customers would want to bring their kids.

“This is a very genteel, quiet place. Very adult. We have 68 seats here, and 24 of them are in the bar.”

“If I had children of these ages I would never contemplate taking them to this place,” he said. "We've never even had a children's menu."

He let customers know about the impending policy in an e-mail. The response, he said, has been overwhelmingly positive.

“I’m looking at 419 e-mails in my inbox right now,” he said, saying the subject lines were along the lines of “Thank you” and “Nice job.”

Not everyone, of course, agrees. Pittsburgh TV station WTAE spoke to customer Stephanie Kelley, mother of a 13-month-old, who said she eats at McDain's weekly. Or used to.

“I can't believe this. I am offended. This is just an ignorant policy," Kelley said.

Vuick is unswayed. He expects no drop-off in business. And as far as state authorities have told him, his decision is completely legal.

“You know, their child — maybe as it should be — is the center of their universe," he told WTAE. "But they don't realize it's not the center of the universe."

[Mark Latimour]

It should be policy in all restaurants.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

It should be policy in all restaurants.

Even Chuck E Cheeze?

[MatticusMania]

I can also see both sides of the issue. Well behaved kids are of no concern, its the parents who can't control their children who are the real issue. I'd rather not be bothered by others while eating dinner in a more upscale establishment, but on the general, I dont really pick apart my surroundings either. If a child is not being overtly obnoxious I might not even know they are present.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Relic

Even Chuck E Cheeze?

No. Kids are fine In eating establishments, but if you are a proper restaurant you should have a no kids policy.

[allexcosta]

Originally Posted by Relic

What do you think?

I think 6 is too young, make it 10... And from the movies too...

[Relic]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I can also see both sides of the issue. Well behaved kids are of no concern, its the parents who can't control their children who are the real issue. I'd rather not be bothered by others while eating dinner in a more upscale establishment, but on the general, I dont really pick apart my surroundings either. If a child is not being overtly obnoxious I might not even know they are present.

My guess is that most folks can see both sides.

The tricky part for me personally as a parent is that it would tick me off that I would not be able to bring my kids who have been fine in the past to my fav restaurant let's say because of someone else's inability to properly parent.
But how else do you go about it? I'm not sure that there is any other way.

[MJ5150]

It doesn't bother me like it used to, but I would choose a restaurant with a no kids policy over one without if it were the same kind of food.

-Mike

[Phalex]

I think it should be acceptable to trip or hip check children running around in inappropriate places.

If people have control of their children, I have no problem. If your kid is a pain in my ass when I'm trying to enjoy time out with my wife (who is quite well behaved) then we got a problem.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Relic

My guess is that most folks can see both sides.

The tricky part for me personally as a parent is that it would tick me off that I would not be able to bring my kids who have been fine in the past to my fav restaurant let's say because of someone else's inability to properly parent.
But how else do you go about it? I'm not sure that there is any other way.

It's one of those one-way-or-the-other type scenarios. Unless, of course, one were to post a sign at the door stating "Those with obnoxious children will be asked to leave, after paying for your uneaten food."

[fourstringdrums]

I wouldn't really care. Usually I find it entertaining when I'm in a restaurant and I hear a kid melting down and I then consider myself lucky because I don't have to put up with that myself.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Relic

My guess is that most folks can see both sides.

The tricky part for me personally as a parent is that it would tick me off that I would not be able to bring my kids who have been fine in the past to my fav restaurant let's say because of someone else's inability to properly parent.
But how else do you go about it? I'm not sure that there is any other way.

To be fair what you think is fine behaviour from kids may be different from what other diners, sans kids, may feel is fine.

[electracoyote]

Unfortunately Relic, a blanket rule meant to curb inappropriate behavior effects the guilty and innocent alike.

That's society for you.

Like yours, my children have always been very well-behaved in all public places. I insist upon it, they know it, and I am always watching and listening, even when they think I'm not. Now they're older and I don't have to worry about it so much. We, myself and society in general, are reaping the rewards.

Unfortunately, as you said, not all parents are quite so conscientious and aware.

So, as in so many aspects of society, we all, good and bad alike, pay the price for the misfits, the irresponsible, and the inconsiderate.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

It's one of those one-way-or-the-other type scenarios. Unless, of course, one were to post a sign at the door stating "Those with obnoxious children will be asked to leave, after paying for your uneaten food."

Honestly though......I've seen far more obnoxious adults in restaurants than I have kids.
If there was an obnoxious filter on the door, then I'd be finally satisfied

[jmattbassplaya]

Like some other guys here, I can definitely see both sides of the issue but I agree with this policy. I'd love for more restaurants to adopt similar rules, or at least adopt a rule that says you can bring kids in but if they become unruly then you may be asked to leave.

Airplanes should adopt similar rules as well.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

To be fair what you think is fine behaviour from kids may be different from what other diners, sans kids, may feel is fine.

Often true, but not always. If you're observant enough to the folks around you, you can pretty much tell nearly 100% of the time what's getting folks annoyed and what's not. No mind-reading necessary. Maybe I'm a rare case as a parent, I dunno (I dont think so) but I'm aware of the folks around me.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by Relic

Honestly though......I've seen far more obnoxious adults in restaurants than I have kids.
If there was an obnoxious filter on the door, then I'd be finally satisfied

Thats true. When I think of all the restaurants I really like to eat at, I cant count a single instance where someone's kids interupted or ruined the good time I was having. In a fast food establishment, plenty of times, but I dont go to Taco Bell for the ambiance of a quality restaurant.

Adults, on the other hand, Ive seen argue with waiters, demand (rudely) satisfaction for the littlest of grievances, and act like asses in general.

I dont think such a policy is necessary, just that more people should have common sense as to where it is appropriate to take your kids. If you know your kids cant behave, you shouldnt take them somewhere where there behavior will be intrusive.

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Airplanes should adopt similar rules as well.

Likewise, the only people to have bothered me on a plane were other adults.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Relic

Often true, but not always. If you're observant enough to the folks around you, you can pretty much tell nearly 100% of the time what's getting folks annoyed and what's not. No mind-reading necessary. Maybe I'm a rare case as a parent, I dunno but I'm aware of the folks around me.

It could be that, or could be you're not as good at reading the crowd as you think. It's hard to know for sure.

[Relic]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

It could be that, or could be you're not as good at reading the crowd as you think. It's hard to know for sure.

This is certainly true, I can't deny that.

That said, if my kid is sitting quietly eating his meal, talking with the same volume that every one is, not kicking his seat, not fussing, not whining and there is a patron who still has a problem with him being there...hmm, I would say that that's his/her problem not mine.

[Bo_H]

I see both sides. I have two under six and I'm down with his decision. His restaurant; his rules. When I'm in a place I see myself as a guest and I believe patrons should act as guests. Manners...period.