So, when WOULD you ask to be moved?

[Caro]

Following on from Piskieinboots' thread about asking to be moved to a different table because of strong perfume, what is your "intolerance"?

OH took me out for a birthday lunch yesterday and we were shown to a nice table, but it was between a couple with a toddler and a couple with a 3 or 4 year old. The older child kept getting excited, chatting very loudly, clanging his cutlery together, dropping everything on the floor etc etc. The toddler, every time he felt he was being ignored, started to build up to a wailing scream.

In both cases, the parents did, to some extent, try to shush their child but then their attempts at quietening the child - "SSHHH! NO!!! MUMMY SAID BE QUIET!!!" - began to get equally as annoying.

I was very tempted to ask to move table, but decided to try to be tolerant. And just when we were leaving, glad to be getting away from the brats () the little one came over all cute and waved bye bye, and even blew a kiss .

So, am i just an intolerant, not-been-there-myself person, or just someone who quite justifiably wants a nice lunch out on their birthday with OH ???

(PS it wasn't one of those themed places with play areas- then I'd just be asking for it! )

What's your limit?

[matthew2riches]

I hate anything like this and would demand to be moved at the first sign of any issues. I am paying good money which is earned by me to sit down and eat so I want it to be how I want it to be.

If the people don't like it then tuff If the restaurant doesn't like it then tuff..... they loose a customer. There are plenty more places to eat out at

[Two_Sheds]

I really do sympathise with parents who have hungry/teething crying babies, but toddlers should be trained better We take our 4, 5 and 8 year old rugrats out to eat and they are perfectly well behaved, to the surprise of the waiters we meet.

I don't eat anywhere there are bound to be lots of children, ie MacD, but now our local coffee shops are being treated as a creche - it's really not relaxing to spend your lunch hour listening to screaming children & shouting mums

[piskieinboots]

Yep - that too would see Piskie moving OWG

Intolerant ole bag - me not you!

[Caro]

I'm so glad it's not just me. When I was brought up (and I'm not that ancient!) I was taught how to behave and it was made very clear that playing up in public was a definite no-no. Most parents these days (at least that's how it appears) are happy to sit there and let their children do what they want, as long as they aren't pestering them. If the children are having a good time, shrieking, laughing, banging things on the table, parents often don't seem to care about the people around them.

So well done T-S on your lovely polite brood!

As an afterthought, Matthew - how would you actually do the asking and would you make it clear what the problem was? Maybe next time I'll try it!

[matthew2riches]

As an afterthought, Matthew - how would you actually do the asking and would you make it clear what the problem was? Maybe next time I'll try it!

I'd say it very loudly to the waiter to ensure other people heard as well as whoever is causing the problem. Hopefully then the people who are causing the problem will feel dead embarrassed and walk out instead

[Glutton4...]

I'm so glad it's not just me. When I was brought up (and I'm not that ancient!) I was taught how to behave and it was made very clear that playing up in public was a definite no-no. Most parents these days (at least that's how it appears) are happy to sit there and let their children do what they want, as long as they aren't pestering them. If the children are having a good time, shrieking, laughing, banging things on the table, parents often don't seem to care about the people around them.

So well done T-S on your lovely polite brood!

As an afterthought, Matthew - how would you actually do the asking and would you make it clear what the problem was? Maybe next time I'll try it!

Totally agree with you. I also haven't got/had kids, but I can't tolerate disobedient children. Kids and animals are the same - if they can't behave in public, don't bring them out until they can!

I'd say it very loudly to the waiter to ensure other people heard as well as whoever is causing the problem. Hopefully then the people who are causing the problem will feel dead embarrassed and walk out instead

Unfortunately, it probably wouldn't work. Many people cannot take criticism of their kids, and see 'bad' behaviour from them as normal, and the rest of us as just intolerant or ignorant.

I confess I am guilty of the first - the latter, others will have to judge!

[Headfry]

sorry but Mr and Mrs HF would also be on the move....

[Nicos]

I have to say that French kids are utterly incredibly well behaved at meal times!..you can spot/hear the British kids a mile off( naturally there ARE exceptions)

I'd asked to be moved if was in a high traffic area- such as serving, loos and was being continuously bumped into/knocked.
Also next to a very loud speaker
In a very draughty seat
In a boiling hot window seat in full sun.
Also....If there was a particularly handsome bloke across the room...oops!!...I jest!

[piskieinboots]

Also....If there was a particularly handsome bloke across the room...oops!!...I jest!

yer yer - cos you do

[matthew2riches]

I have to say that French kids are utterly incredibly well behaved at meal times!..you can spot/hear the British kids a mile off( naturally there ARE exceptions)

I'd asked to be moved if was in a high traffic area- such as serving, loos and was being continuously bumped into/knocked.
Also next to a very loud speaker
In a very draughty seat
In a boiling hot window seat in full sun.
Also....If there was a particularly handsome bloke across the room...)...I jest!

We had some French students and they were soooooooooo polite compared to another lot we had from elsewhere. Yes! there are worse than British kids

[gojiberry]

Unfortunately there is a high percentage of people nowadays who have absolutely no regard for other people. And you can't reason with them, so the best idea is to try and avoid them.

Ian

[di]

DS can be a little unpredictable at times...we rarely go out to eat but the last time there was a big family meal out he did really well for the most part but got bored and a bit silly just before finishing the main course...that was when I took him out for a breath of air and a run about.

I'd want to be moved...and have previously...if there's loud and bad language around the kids.The odd slip up is one thing,but when a group have had a few too many why do they insist on raising their voices and upping the swearing?

[jackie j]

My sons were fairly well behaved when we were out, any problems they were soon told to be quiet or they would have to wait in the car.
Having worked in resturant's most of my life its really hard for waiter's etc to say anything to the offenders. Any children allowed to run around are a disaster waiting to happen, hot food, hot drinks etc etc. Ihave often told them to sit down.

My daughter could be taken anywhere and was so well behaved people used to comment about her, the secret for us was to make sure she wasnt hungry and would give her a bread roll she loved them dry and still does. Food can sometimes take too long to arrive for children, take quiet toys, a book, colouring to keep them occupied.

Best of all dont take them to places if you know they will misbehave, go somewhere they are catered for.

[Florence Fennel]

I could take my children anywhere and they would know how to behave and the same can be said for my grandchildren. If himself saw this question, he would say "Knowing her, and even though she didn't know them, she'd take an interest in the children and coax them into behaving" He would want to move as soon as possible!