Comments on: Dining Poll: Should Restaurants Ban Crying Children?

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:40:57 +0000

I think anyone who brings children to a fine restaurant where the average plate is $50 then no children should be allowed under the age of 10.

By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:04:37 +0000

When my kids were small, if I took them to a nice restaurant, I always went earlier in the evening, and not on a Friday or Saturday. I don’t appreciate crying kids when I’m out on a date, and I think it’s considerate to go in non-peak times. And yes, take your kids outside.

By: Jennifer F

Jennifer F — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:38:06 +0000

While I agree with others who have posted that you need to introduce children to dining out, it should be age appropriate. Any child under the age of 5 does not have the capacity to understand they are in a “special” place where certain behaviors are expected. It’s unfair to expect them to “learn” how to behave at this age and it’s unfair to expect fellow dinners to suffer through the “lesson” you are teaching your children. Especially for adults who are out for an evening WITHOUT their own children. This has happened to my husband any myself several times – we pay for a babysitter and a nice evening out only to have it spoiled by someone else due to inappropriate behavior (and it’s been both children and adults to be fair).
And also let’s be honest – restaurants that have an check average of $50+ per person probably do not have a children’s menu. Chances are high they will not like anything on these menus to eat in the first place. In my opinion, if there is no children’s menu then it is not appropriate to bring children.

By: Steve L

Steve L — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 00:03:20 +0000

It is unfortunate that many parents do not consider their surroundings when their children act up or cry. As others have said “common courtesy dictates that one takes one’s crying child out of any gathering.” Sadly, manners and courtesy seem to have become a thing of the past. When parents are inconsiderate, fine dining restaurants should ask parents of crying children to remove them from the restaurant until they have calmed down and can behave. One would not expect this at a fast food or family restaurant, but when one is dining at a more upscale restaurant, one shouldn’t have to put up with crying kids. Rather than encouraging other diners to ask the offenders to leave (and perhaps have an altercation), the restaurant management should step up and do so.. Bravo the Atlanta restaurant that asked the child to leave.

By: Gary Bennett

Gary Bennett — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 22:14:03 +0000

Just a shame we can’t have an area for kids. Same challenge with crying kids in airplanes.

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 20:01:40 +0000

I have been dining out for over 40 years through good and bad behavior by parents and their children. I will always remember a young couple at a lovely waterfront seafood restaurant in Boston who ate a tag-team dinner so that their inconsolable child would only disturb passers by on the sidewalk in front of the restaurant. There are a lot of good parents in the world who do the right thing and should be congratulated when they take responsibility for their own and let the rest us experience a pleasant evening.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 19:59:44 +0000

Common courtesy dictates that one takes one’s crying child (or barking dog) out of any gathering ( movie theater, restaurant, church, concert, etc.) Children need to learn self-control, parents need to be considerate of others. Parents who refuse to remove a crying child from a venue where people are gathered for quiet conversation or to hear a performance, are inconsiderate and rude, and are teaching their children to be the same. It’s also unkind to the child to expose them to the disapproval and resentment of your fellow diners, which children do sense, whether overtly demonstrated or not. Remove the child, help them to get themselves under control, and then return to your meal. It’s not a hard thing to do, and it will happen less and less, as you teach your child what kind of behavior is tolerated and what is not.

By: Janet

Janet — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 19:39:04 +0000

I agree with the previous posts that say to ban kids 5 and under from high end expensive restaurants. I am furious spending a lot of money just to have a screaming kid at the next table. Don’t get me wrong, I have 2 kids. There is a time and place for kids in public and some don’t understand that and impose on others!!!

By: Rebecca Dole

Rebecca Dole — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 18:53:14 +0000

Children are humans as people know, bringing your child out to eat often is like going to church it becomes a routine. Those who dont like disruptive children and say they should be banned from a restaurant really don’t have kids and just say they do. Restaurants may implement there own policy. I understand that but I have been places where both adults and kids we’re equally bad. If your in public make your own choice about your kids. Don’t make a choice for others. I have two kids and bring them everywhere its life live it. Don’t put a restriction on it. Thank you!

By: Shelley

Shelley — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 17:32:06 +0000

Let’s face it – this poll would not even be done if parents had to courtesy to remove a wailing kid from a restaurant. Some do but many do not as they are used to the noise and turmoil their kids create and either figure everyone else is too or they just don’t care if it bothers somebody else.