You have 0 items in your cart
For me there is nothing better than going out to eat, whether it’s for brunch with my girlfriends on a lazy Sunday morning or a date night somewhere fancy with my significant other. Sitting with people I love catching up over good food and great wine is one of life’s little pleasures, it’s something I look forward to and it’s a great way to unwind. However I have lost count of the amount of times one of said evenings has been ruined by the presence of a screaming, food throwing toddler who has mistaken the restaurant for a jungle gym. Badly behaved children enrage me to no end, but not quite as much as their parents do. Because as annoying and nightmare inducing as these little people can be it’s the parents who are really to blame here.
Now don’t get me wrong I love children and I even hope to have my own someday. Yet having said that, my opinion of children in certain restaurants in the evening will remain the same because while I understand that my future child might be the centre of my universe I can also appreciate that he or she won’t be quite as endearing to anyone else.
Recently I have come across some online activity bashing the policy of a local restaurant for the very reason that they do not allow children under eight years of age into their establishment after 7:00pm. Despite the fact they make patrons very aware of their policy it seems they have come under fire recently for simply being transparent. A barrage of hate has come their way via Facebook and TripAdvisor from a group of rivalled Mumsnetters who it seems have nothing better to do with their day. I’m childless and I couldn’t find the time, let alone the energy it would take to engage in back and forth commentary on a portal designed for such trolling.
Of course freedom of speech allows one and all to say whatever they wish but it does strike me as funny how a group of mothers feels their barrage will have any impact on a restaurant which doesn’t want children there in the first place?
In our modern society it seems there is a huge emphasis on child-friendly zones. With many restaurants and hotels proudly announcing the fact that they welcome children and cater for little ones, offering everything from play areas to baby changing units and wider aisles for double prams and highchairs. One look on the internet and it’s as if children dominate our lives. However as soon a one little restaurant challenges this ludicrous notion all hell breaks loose.
Children will be children and there is a time for running around and playing, but that time is not in a seated restaurant where your child can crash into waitresses, climb on the tables and scream blue murder when they are told than no they can’t have another coke. While you might think your child is cute I don’t really want them peering over their chair at me, blowing raspberries or playing peek-a-boo while I try to enjoy my steak. I get it your kids can do no wrong, they are your little darlings, but what about the rest of us? The people who want to enjoy a nice dinner without your offspring’s unwanted screams as the soundtrack to the entire evening.
Some parents just do not accept that their children are out of control and it is for this reason that some restaurants are forced to make such polices, because for every well behaved darling there are ten little horrors hell bent on destroying everything in their path.
Make it clear that you don’t welcome small children and you’ll be trolled on Twitter and harassed on Facebook by the yummy mummy crowd. A small price to pay, if any, for a child free zone where adults can come and enjoy themselves without little Johnny throwing himself on the floor just as your dessert arrives. Legally a restaurant can admit whoever they like, it’s their right. They wouldn’t stand for a disruptive adult so why is it that as soon as kids are involved the lines get blurred?
