Inconsiderate Parents

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Went to Lakeside last night to have dinner on the Boardwalk, we sat outside and whilst it's not the nicest place in the world, the water was calm, the sun was setting and the place was nice and empty.

About half way through the meal a woman came out with 2 small kids who proceeded to run round and round in circles screaming and shouting, right next to our table. Personally I would have said something but my partner doesn't like confrontation and that would have ruined the meal more than anything else.

After five minutes of this dad comes out and joins in with the kids! Mum goes in and dad stands there banging his hands on the railings as the kids scream with joy.

Dad goes in and the kids are left to run round and round unattended for a good half and hour whilst the parents get some peace and quiet inside the restaurant.

After we've eaten the whole family come outside and as we were sitting under the only umbrella with the heaters on they pushed my partner's chair to one-side (she'd gone to the loo) and completely crowded our table (there was about 12 of them) with the kids still running around screaming.

What really annoyed me was the whole Boardwalk was empty, if they wanted to let the kids run around a bit to burn off some energy they could have gone a couple of restaurants along but no the whole episode had to happen right next to our table, we was going to have dessert and a coffee but left and went to another restaurant.

I won't say it completely ruined our evening and I understand kids are like this but if the parents had just an ounce of consideration they could have limited the impact on us.

So is this just an example of people who couldn't give a toss about anyone but themselves or do parents forget the rest of us don't want to listen to their screaming kids?

MeanParent

I say bring back hanging for naughty children and their parents!

One capital crime was: "strong evidence of malice in a child aged 7–14 years of age" so you could be lucky.

See here for reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_the_United_Kingdom

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

The kids don't bother me, they don't know any different, it's the parents that really annoyed me.

fluffnutter

I can understand why, ludovico. Did you consider speaking to the restaurant staff? It's their job to ensure that all guests have a pleasant experience and they're the ones who should have tackled this situation.

birkee

The thing that REALLY annoys me, is when the kids charge in and out from an outside area, and then jump on upholstered seats with their shoes on. Or are eating on upholstered seats and not at the table. Are we supposed to go dining in overalls?
It just shows what standards the parents have.

Velcro_Hotdog

ludovico wrote: »

So is this just an example of people who couldn't give a toss about anyone but themselves or do parents forget the rest of us don't want to listen to their screaming kids?

It's also an example of someone who isn't prepared or hasn't got the minerals to tell people to f**k off. If people are ruining your evening tell them, don't just let it happen and then moan on an internet forum. People like the ones who spoiled your night will never learn unless someone tells them they are in the wrong.

smileylondongal

I somewhat agree with the posters above though I would complain to the restaurant staff if you felt a little uncomfortable about doing it directly.

I'm constantly astounded by how people allow their children to behave. When we had our little one, I remember my father in law pleading with me to never let my boy 'use the world as his playground', I assume meaning having some decorum and doing things in the right place, respecting other people.

That's not to say they shouldn't be allowed to run around and be children, however when they're knocking things over, getting into things that don't belong to them, kicking airplane seats and generally being a pain, without the parents telling them off, then you should feel comfortable in saying something.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Me personally, I would have politely asked them to keep the children under control and if they didn't I would have asked them if the kids could swim cos they'll be in the lake if they do go away but when you take your partner out for dinner and she doesn't feel comfortable with me complaining what can you do?

Did you consider speaking to the restaurant staff?

Again she doesn't want the confrontation. I just couldn't believe that considering all the restaurants were completely empty outside the parents though we'd be OK with their kids running and screaming right next to our table especially considering they let the kids run around outside unattended as the parents obviously had enough of it inside the restaurant!

fluffnutter

ludovico wrote: »

Me personally, I would have politely asked them to keep the children under control and if they didn't I would have asked them if the kids could swim cos they'll be in the lake if they do go away but when you take your partner out for dinner and she doesn't feel comfortable with me complaining what can you do?

Did you consider speaking to the restaurant staff?

Again she doesn't want the confrontation. I just couldn't believe that considering all the restaurants were completely empty outside the parents though we'd be OK with their kids running and screaming right next to our table especially considering they let the kids run around outside unattended as the parents obviously had enough of it inside the restaurant!

TBH, if it makes your other half feel that uncomfortable that she forbids you from complaining, there's not much you can do.

Having said that, you could be a bit sly. Say you're going to the loo or something and have a quiet word with the staff. Then when someone comes out and speaks to the family, just look a bit vague and say 'oh, look, the staff have noticed what a pain that family is'.

thriftymanc

Velcro_Hotdog wrote: »

It's also an example of someone who isn't prepared or hasn't got the minerals to tell people to f**k off. If people are ruining your evening tell them, don't just let it happen and then moan on an internet forum. People like the ones who spoiled your night will never learn unless someone tells them they are in the wrong.

The problem with this though is that the sort of parents who let their kids act like that in the first place are nine times out of ten the same parents who will threaten to belt you for daring to criticise their parenting 'skills'. Sometimes putting up with the kids being annoying little !!!!!s is quieter and less stressful than confronting the adults.

dontone

It's pity that restaurants aren't allowed to tie kids and idiot parents to their chairs and make them sit there until they are ready to leave after a meal. I was once in one of those chinese all you can eat places and this child was allowed to run around the dessert counter and eat as much ice cream as he wanted, but he also kept licking the scoops before putting them back into that bowl of water that's provided. The parents just laughed, and the staff ended up shutting the counter off till they cleaned up after him.
Worse one I heard of, was my own friend from school bragging about how her and her family had gone out to eat and her little boy (he has special needs so he can behave how he likes - her words not mine) threw up all over the cakes and jelly that were on the sweet counter, because he'd had 4 helpings of chocolate cake :eek:. She posted it on f/b and laughed about it.:mad:
She's still upset with me because I gave her a rollocking for allowing such disgusting behaviour to happen. Apparently I because I don't have kids, I don't realise that "it's what kids do"
I wasn't the only one who told her off either. Disgraceful, if I'd had run the place I'd have charged her for ruining the entire stock.