Still more peeves
What? No unruly children!?!
Screaming, drumming with the silverware, even throwing the silverware, running around the tables, standing on chairs, throwing food and then stomping food on the floor.
How would you react if ...
a child walked up to you, putting their hands on the table, and asked "What are YOU eating?" And the parents think it's cute. Oh look, "He's learning to control his environment" or "He's just a child."
At more than one restaurant and on more than one occasion that I have personally experienced, as that family leaves, the whole restaurant rises and applauds. So it's not just me. And from what I hear, the parents leave little or no tip.
Barbara in Ellicott City
I forgot to credit Robert with this one earlier:
The flip side to the waiter who clears plates before everyone is done is the waiter who brings out other courses without clearing plates. There is nothing like eating your dessert while you stare at the remains of your steak or ribs.
Comments
It seems hard to blame the restaurant for the actions of its customers. It is one thing to talk about the training of the staff or the chef's loose hand with the salt, but asking the manager to intervene between a parent and a child is a lot more difficult. Now I'm not saying I would mind if more people would speak to oblivious parents, but I know that is easier said than done. Maybe we just need more restuarants that don't allow kids.
Posted by: Robert | May 1, 2007 6:03 PM