‘I don’t come here to enjoy other people’s children!’ Should pubs and restaurants be kid-free zones? | Parents and parenting
by wappingite
‘I don’t come here to enjoy other people’s children!’ Should pubs and restaurants be kid-free zones? | Parents and parenting
by wappingite
11 comments
Am I alone in finding this whole new trend very sad? The further we move form having multi generational communities and families the more isolated we will become.
Of course they shouldn’t be entirely child free but there should be limits and there should be freedom to choose as a business. Pubs are going to making more out of kids and mums with a coke and coffee then making a few pennies on a pint so I can’t see that many of them cater for families. Children must be supervised and families asked to leave if the children are not under control – and no kids in pubs after 7pm.
One of my local pubs had a decent policy. Kids were welcome but parents had to look after them and know where they were at all times – no kids running around. The actual policy sounded harsh – Kids must be seated at all times – but in reality it just meant that parents had to demonstrate they were actively looking after them not leaving it to the pub staff.
Some pubs & restaurants allow kids; some don’t.
Who are these people insisting that all pubs & restaurants fit their needs precisely?
This is one of those fun quotes where putting the emphasis on different words creates new and worrying meanings.
‘I don’t come _here_ to enjoy other people’s children!’
‘I don’t come here to _enjoy_ other people’s children!’
‘I don’t come here to enjoy other _people’s_ children!’
‘I don’t come here to enjoy other people’s _children_!’
What business does a kid have in a pub? They’re there to sell alcohol, added sport on TV and usually a couple of games such as pool and darts to attract more business. If children want pop and games there are soft play areas they can be taken to, that cater directly to them.
Now restaurants that’s different, their business is to sell food and a dining experience. Now yes, if you visit at an early time you’re bound to hear the sound of children misbehaving, but how are they going to learn what is and is not acceptable without pushing the boundaries? Simply visit at a different time, and allow businesses to set aside specific times where children and families aren’t allowed – and endure the shrieking karens.
A little common sense goes a long way
Wait, don’t you guys have pubs that are adults-only by law?
I’m not against children in restaurants/pubs, I’m against poorly behaved children in restaurants. So many parents are blasé to their kids poor behaviour in public places, and act like it’s an affront when you tell them to stop their kid running around or would use the phrase *the man will tell you off if you don’t behave* take some responsibility
There are more bad manners and bad behaviour from adults.
We took streets from our children for the convenience of drivers.
Parks are full of dog shit and XL bully dogs. Now not even pubs children can go to?
We normalized not having children around. Fuck that.
This question has been asked for decades.
I will say it ruined one of the local social clubs when they allowed kids in, they had a woman in there who’d bring her 4 kids in and sit there til midnight on a Friday and Saturday, the kids getting more tired and grouchy while she sat there swigging Strongbow.
Last straw was when the landlord put out a swear jar on the bar, she’d been moaning about people swearing near her kids and convinced the landlord to do something about it.
Within 6 months we’d all moved on elsewhere and as far as we know she’s still sitting there of a weekend moaning with her poor tired kids.
The awnser is no. Parents should teach their offspring to behave in public and not allow them to run around the place (unless they are outside and there are facities for the children to play). Pubs and resturants are not a playground they are place of work.
These people are the ones who should be told by the managment get them under control or leave. Also these are the same people who would kick off if their little darling got hurt.
Its the parents that need sorting out.