Was on holiday in the Peak District last week with hubbie and we went to an italian restaurant for a nice romantic meal. (We don't go out much as it's so expensive, so this was extra special for us). It was spoilt however by a party of 3 young couples with respective children and at no time did they tell the noisy kids to quieten down (it was almost as if it was someone else's responsibility to do this)! In fact at one point, one child in particular was literally screaching and screaming. I've brought 2 kids up and they were always a delight to take out. So, a plea, to all parents of young children, if they're being noisey and disruptive to other diners, please do the responsible, considerate parent thing and ask them to quieten down. Thanks.
Message posted by Jimmy66 on 28 June 2009 at 7:49pm - IP Logged
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Cant see a problem with kids in restaurants myself especially before 8pm, kids will be kids wheather their in a park or a restaurant, I can remember being a kid in a restaurant and its really boring, my advice would be to dine where kids arnt allowed if it bothers you that much,
I'll be in Agios Gordios next June probs between the 8th and 22nd and we usually eat between 7:30 and 8:30, at the Argo, Thalassa, Sebastians, Mermaid and Alivezios, I have a 4 year old, just so you wont be dissapointed
Message posted by ele 56 on 28 June 2009 at 7:57pm - IP Logged
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ele 56. I TOTALLY agree with all you said. If my children had ever dared to be disruptive like that, they would have soon received a 'clip around the ear'
Pam...
Message posted by NIGEL on 28 June 2009 at 8:21pm - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by Pam Ella on 28 June 2009
ele 56. I TOTALLY agree with all you said. If my children had ever dared to be disruptive like that, they would have soon received a 'clip around the ear'
Pam...
Trouble is a clip round the ear will bring in Social Services these days!! Madness but true.
Nige...
Message posted by julesx2 on 28 June 2009 at 8:24pm - IP Logged
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julesx2
Maybe you should of had a word with the parents if it was a problem for you...agree with jimmy kids will be kids especially very young ones..in can be boring sitting still for ages!!
Message posted by Pam Ella on 28 June 2009 at 8:26pm - IP Logged
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I know this is 'not allowed' these days, but I hope I am, and have been a responsible parent and have brought my children up to respect others, which obviously was not the case when ele 56 was out for her special meal.
Pam...
Message posted by fireball on 28 June 2009 at 8:31pm - IP Logged
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Its great for familys to eat out, and should be an enjoyable occasion for all.
However I have to agree with ele 56, with all respect jimmy66 other paying customers have a right to enjoy the ambience of the resturant whilst eating out as well.
I understand that some children have ADHD etc and can be noisey and one must make allowences for that.
But if its just down to poor parenting skills then no sorry, who is the adult, take the kids out side for 5mins then bring them back in, alternatively what we used to do was bring Crayons and colouring books with us.
This topic should get interesting.
Alec
Message posted by Jimmy66 on 28 June 2009 at 8:59pm - IP Logged
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This is a topic along the lines of smoking in restaurants, its each to their own, if people are smoking and you dont like it then dont go, if there are kids and you dont want to be around them, dont go,
I do understand Ele's gripe and was just offering ways round it, but i stick to the fact that kids will be kids
Message posted by fireball on 28 June 2009 at 9:13pm - IP Logged
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I've been in restaurants where it's the gobby parents that need a few lessons with their loud voices because they want everybody else to hear what they have to say..
like Jimmy says "Kids will be kids"
Bruce
Message posted by Lavinia on 28 June 2009 at 9:22pm - IP Logged
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I am totally with Ele 56 and Pam Ella on this one. We never allowed our children to misbehave in restaurants and if they did, we took them outside. So no-one was ever upset by them. Why should we now be disturbed by other people's children who haven't taught them to behave? I may be old-fashioned but surely it is just basic good manners and thoughtfulness (or thoughtlessness).
Message posted by ele 56 on 28 June 2009 at 9:29pm - IP Logged
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We always eat where the taverna is near the beach, then the girls can run around before they eat and don't have to sit bored out of their tiny minds. Mind you have had words in the past with people who've tutted becuase our children had the nerve to breath
Thing is the Greeks love having children around...
Message posted by TOP CHEF on 28 June 2009 at 9:58pm - IP Logged
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Oh dear emotive issues.
Its true of course kids will be kids, unfortunatly thats an extremely sweeping statement, what does it mean?, but sometimes parents dont want to be parents. Its called Freedom of expression by those who cant be bothered to be parents. Basicly it means (usually in public places) Go and annoy them over there, Im trying to enjoy my evening.
Like the Mum in the paper today, whos son has vertualy run amok in the local community. Causing more damage than a whirlwind., and injured people in the process. His Mum things he is just a youngster letting off steam, a little scallywag.
PARDON.
I dont have a problem with children in restaurants, anymore then adults in restaurants, its all about reasonable behavour and concern for others. Everyone should be able to enjoy their evening, but not at the expense of ruining other peoples.
TOP CHEF woodie
Message posted by Lavinia on 28 June 2009 at 10:08pm - IP Logged
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Very well said Top Chef and I entirely agree with Spike about eating in a restaurant with small children where there is space around so that they can play whilst waiting for their food. After all, a visit to a restaurant is usually a treat for children and if they are happily playing, everyone else will be happy too....
Message posted by Tina B on 28 June 2009 at 10:10pm - IP Logged
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We too were taken to some fantastic places and knew how to behave as we were taught to respect other people especially adults. Also we would never have been taken out again if not!
I worked in a restaurant where 4 couples took their 8 children most Sundays. The adults sat at one table and the kids at another, well didn't sit for long. They ran amoke round the place. Nice polite please don't do that as you may get burnt by hot food didn't work so I did find a foot stuck out 'by accident' as one of the little darlings ran past did the trick. Otherwise a word with the adults who eventually would get up and try to sort them out!!! Year later I worked at one of the monsters weddings. She did apologise and say they must have made life hell for us.
Message posted by SteSan on 28 June 2009 at 10:10pm - IP Logged
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I'm 47 now but still respect my Dad for keeping me under control when younger, either with his slipper or back of his hand!!!
Made me a good respectable Teenager and parent.
This is whats missing nowadays....RESPECT
My 2 are 17 and 23 and still know are far to go
Steve, hav fun in te sun all
Message posted by julesx2 on 28 June 2009 at 10:14pm - IP Logged
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julesx2
Quote: Originally posted by BruceAndMaria on 28 June 2009
I've been in restaurants where it's the gobby parents that need a few lessons with their loud voices because they want everybody else to hear what they have to say..
like Jimmy says "Kids will be kids"
Bruce
Actually I said to ele about having a word with the parents, but on second thoughts these days you are more likely to get bopped on the head or told to errrr(politely)go away...difficult situation really..julesxxx
Message posted by Guest on 28 June 2009 at 10:19pm - IP Logged
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Guest
restaurants yah boo sucks just heard of a couple on the beach who asked for money back on their sunbeds , as there were KIDS playing and making a noise (THATS TRUE BY THE WAY )on a public beach .... disgusting ...... I rest my case next thing thet will allow kids in public swimming pools and heaven forbid AQUALAND now that will ruin Lazy river And kids in the childrens pool even worse
Message posted by petergm on 28 June 2009 at 10:20pm - IP Logged
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If parents cant control there little darlings, they should be thrown out, why should the minority spoil other peoples night out, we recently returned on a flight where a kid was screaming and the so called parents just sat there with there earphones in.
Message posted by diane and steve on 28 June 2009 at 10:22pm - IP Logged
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I love to see families in restaurants but I do find it very obvious when we go away thet it is generally the kids from the UK that are the most badly behaved. The kids from the med seem to be 'part of the group' and not ignored and let to run riot.
When my son was young, he came everywhere with me.
I was armed with a few bits of lego, a reading book and a bit of paper to draw on. I never let him out of my sight and made it as entertaining as possible as it was a treat for him too.
The probelm I see is that many people take their kids on holiday, but dont want to holiday with their kids! they seem to think that they can amuse themselves and they cant-they need to be entertained somewhat and also it is a learning process.
kKds are the future diners when they grow up and need to be taught how to act in all situations by their parents as their role models.
Perhaps thats why some young adults now are more badly behaved than the kids!!
Message posted by BoltonLynda on 28 June 2009 at 10:23pm - IP Logged
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I too have kids (both now grown up - allegedly lol)
I know I will have to duck beneath the parapets for this one - but I HATE being irritated by other peoples kids - running round, knocking drinks off tables, screaming cos they can't get their own way and generally behaving in a way that is unacceptable. If you can't keep your kids under control (whether its in a restaurant, bar or shop) then don't bring them out with you. I work in a shop and I am sick to death of having to climb over kids because their parents can't be bothered to look after them and just leave them to their own devices!
Off to find my tin hat xxxx
Message posted by Jimmy66 on 28 June 2009 at 10:30pm - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by SteSan on 28 June 2009
I'm 47 now but still respect my Dad for keeping me under control when younger, either with his slipper or back of his hand!!!
Made me a good respectable Teenager and parent.
This is whats missing nowadays....RESPECT
My 2 are 17 and 23 and still know are far to go
Steve, hav fun in te sun all
I would never raise my hand to my boy, not now hes three or when hes twenty three,i learnt respect at a young age through boxing and being around trainers who commanded respect, im sorry to the people who dont agree but hitting kids is a definate no no, its not respect parents get when they hit their kids, its fear of being hit again, theres a difference..........
Message posted by windmill on 28 June 2009 at 10:46pm - IP Logged
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Wow, this has brought some response. firstly, Greeks and most other European folks love to go out and take all the family to eat, no matter what time of the evening. The problem with many of our children is not just the parents, it's our lifestyle which creates a barrier between the generations. If you do find a problem with children in restaurants in Greece, invariably they will be British. Sad but true from my experience.
Message posted by SteSan on 28 June 2009 at 11:14pm - IP Logged
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I would never raise my hand to my boy, not now hes three or when hes twenty three,i learnt respect at a young age through boxing and being around trainers who commanded respect, im sorry to the people who dont agree but hitting kids is a definate no no, its not respect parents get when they hit their kids, its fear of being hit again, theres a difference..........
[/QUOTE]
Jimmy I never said I hit my 2, never had to,a stern voice was enough, but we bought them up the right way, but in the 60's and 70's things were different,and thats what I respect my father for,even the local bobby would clip yer ear ( and he scared yer ) Imagine that happening now with this Esther Ranzen child line.
Theres a difference between a slap leg or bottom and Abuse!!
The size of my son now, I would think twice about hitting him hehe.
steve
Message posted by DJH on 28 June 2009 at 11:42pm - IP Logged
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I think some of the problem stems from the fact that many families in Britain do not normally sit down at a table for a meal altogether. Hence many children are not used to it and have not developed the social skills and etiquette that other cultures still value and teach.
It is sad reflection on the way our society is developing.
Debbie
Message posted by AngeyR on 28 June 2009 at 11:47pm - IP Logged
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AngeyR
oooooh! a touchy subject, this one! I agree with those who say that children should be taught manners! I know it'll give my age away but I was bought up in the 'children are seen but not heared' era, I knew when I was out with my parents I was expected to behave well. These days, some parents seem to think its perfectly acceptable to inflict their unruly offspring on the public and not give two hoots what they get up to or who they are disturbing. We all pay good money to go out to nice places and should all have the same right to enjoy them, regardless of age. Unfortunately, I dont think its just a 'child' issue, my husband and I were at our nieces wedding reception the other night and it was the adults causing the problems, too much beer and not enough sense. Each grown man trying to outdo the other in volume, the real problem as I see it is that on the whole, some Brits just dont know how to behave in public or how to drink responsibly! No wonder the kids run riot! Im generalising of course, I know the majority are well behaved, socially balanced individuals but as in everything, there are always exceptions and they tend to get noticed unfortunately. (thus giving us the reputation we enjoy worldwide!) I'll get down off me soapbox now and go back to counting the minutes to my jollibobs!!!!!!!! Im really looking forward to it, other folks kids permitting! LOL!
Message posted by windmill on 29 June 2009 at 12:02am - IP Logged
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Oooer, are we really challenging the right of kids to do whatver they want !!
Interesting how the "respect" viewpoints seem to come from those who have already brought kids up. Our son when he was a kid would not be allowed to run riot in a restaurant because we thought it was rude and bad mannered to our fellow diners.
We still think so.
However times have changed and kids just push the barriers of acceptable behaviour in public places further and further whilst many parents just let them.
To say "if you don't like noisy kids eat somewhere else" only gets the retort, "if you don't like us complaining about noisy kids then you eat somewhere else".
Then what? An argument, a fight, call the management (what can they do?) or perhaps a compromise.
Mmmmm dunno about that we all like to get our own way these days...
So what exactly are "bad manners" and what was this "respect for your elders" culture and why?
Throughout the history of the world, old age has most often been equated with wisdom, honor, integrity and esteem and I see this frequently in Corfu. Today in the UK we seem to live in a bubble of youth and celebrity worship and old is most definitely out.
This topic is not about age though but common decency
Our son is old.
He's 23 so he's older than many but younger than others.
So what is old ?
If he was having a nice quiet meal with his girlfriend in his favourite Italian and kids spoilt it by running riot he would ask the parents to control them.
If they didn't he would then tell the parents in no uncertain terms.
Is he old fashioned or simply expecting to be able to enjoy a meal he has worked hard to earn the money for.
Steve
Message posted by Daisy85 on 29 June 2009 at 5:09pm - IP Logged
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I am one of those people that gets annoyed when parents ignore there children when they are playing up.
I don't object to children going to restaurants and having a good time. It just annoyes me when there screaming and throwing things around the restaurant and they are ignored by the parents.
Whilst travelling to Corfu last year there was a woman with a child sat on her lap and another sat next to her. When the plane took off she she put her earphones in and totally ignored both children and let then fight between themselves and when she bought a hot drink she put it on the table and carrying on listening to music while her child picked up the hot drink and burnt himself!!
Whilst there was a young boy behind us telling us all the countries we were going over before we reached Corfu, I was worried when he said we'd just gone over Athens!
It proves some children aren't that bad!!
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but still respect my Dad for keeping me under control when younger, either with his slipper or back of his hand!!!
