Ban Children from Restaurants and Pubs: now!

[MAPearce]

Took my kids to Baxters Friday after work .. They welcome kids. For an hour and 15 minute stay we racked up an 80 buck tab , left our table 8n decent shape and dropped a 10 buck tip and our friend we were with tippped out for two pints also . Not too bad for what we ordered and how long we stayed and the servers was more than grateful to have us...

I'm thinki g that Baxters has done math in comparison. Like , how much more did they make by allowing parents to bring their kids ?

As for kids in pubs i the minds of those opposed , I bet they wouldn't be so against it if parents taught manners in public..

I'm not going to walk away from an establishment just because they allow kids ... I love mine and would rather have them with me rather than leave them home..

[kgcayenne]

Alcohol doesn't make anyone smarter, quieter, or more gracious. Having said that, I'll take a bunch of kids over a loudmouth buffoon in shorts reminiscent of my grandma's kitchen curtains.

I'm so glad summer is over.

[Merry]

Some folk may not object to spending their time in a restaurant chatting with a young child they've never met before, but parents shouldn't assume that everyone feels that way.

I like children, and don't mind a short chat (providing it IS short), but spending my entire meal making small talk with a 6 year old who is hanging over the back of the adjoining booth (while her parents enjoy THEIR meal in peace) is not acceptable to me.

When my children were young I always took a colouring book and some crayons with me, and let them entertain themselves with that rather than allow them to bother other patrons.

[jasond_71]

I have four kids. If we go out it is usually Boston pizza or white spot with kids. I think it's up to a pub to decide. At Silver Star all pubs allow kids.
I just don't want a parent getting mad at me if I swear or talk about something inappropriate because I wouldn't if I brought my kids to a pub:)

[youjustcomplain]

I, for one, wouldn't eat at or support in any way, any company who would ban children from their establishment.

[MAPearce]

Some folk may not object to spending their time in a restaurant chatting with a young child they've never met before, but parents shouldn't assume that everyone feels that way.

I like children, and don't mind a short chat (providing it IS short), but spending my entire meal making small talk with a 6 year old who is hanging over the back of the adjoining booth (while her parents enjoy THEIR meal in peace) is not acceptable to me.

When my children were young I always took a colouring book and some crayons with me, and let them entertain themselves with that rather than allow them to bother other patrons.

There's the parents "teaching manners " thing I was talking about ... But we don't bring crayons and a colouring book . For this family , dinner time is a time to do a family "check in" where we all share what our days were like and as parents , the wife and I encourage our kids to talk about that .

Now while I won't expect anyone to not over hear our conversation , I would expect for them to ignore a six year old telling mom and dad how school went that day just like they would ignore the jocks at the next table bitching about the referee in the hockey game they just watched ...

[jasond_71]

I think we are more uptight here than in Europe. I don't think parents worry about a bit of swearing in a pub.
Boston pizza in Vernon has a separate"bar" section where you can have the best of both worlds. Some pubs do that as well.

[Bsuds]

Boston pizza in Vernon has a separate"bar" section where you can have the best of both worlds.

I think the Kelowna ones have that as well.

[Merry]

There's the parents "teaching manners " thing I was talking about ... But we don't bring crayons and a colouring book . For this family , dinner time is a time to do a family "check in" where we all share what our days were like and as parents , the wife and I encourage our kids to talk about that .

Now while I won't expect anyone to not over hear our conversation , I would expect for them to ignore a six year old telling mom and dad how school went that day just like they would ignore the jocks at the next table bitching about the referee in the hockey game they just watched ...

When my kids were young we always viewed our evening mealtime as "family" time during which we talked and shared news about our day. And when we were in restaurants we did the same. However when they were VERY young and we ate out I always took colouring books and crayons to amuse them if we had a long wait for our meal, or if they finished theirs before my husband and I finished ours. That doesn't mean we didn't have a conversation with them during our dinner out, but sometimes little kids aren't great conversationalists.

Regardless, my point was that parents should find a way to keep their kids occupied when eating out, so that the kids don't start making a nuisance of themselves by bugging other customers (or racing around the restaurant getting in the way of the wait staff).

We dined out lots with our kids, and I think restaurants should be OK with that, but by the same token parents should teach their children what behaviour is (and what is not) appropriate in a restaurant.

[MAPearce]

Regardless, my point was that parents should find a way to keep their kids occupied when eating out, so that the kids don't start making a nuisance of themselves by bugging other customers (or racing around the restaurant getting in the way of the wait staff).

I hear you Merry... But kids are kids .

I sit on my front porch in " Skidville " for a beer and a smoke and I'm surrounded by the little buggers . They're not a nuisance to me , except for having to put my smoke out . I kind of like the little tykes rambling on about some other kid taking the blue crayon when they wanted it ....

If kids in pubs bother anyone THAT much , perhaps they should go to a biker bar or a strip club ...

[Fancy]

I, for one, wouldn't eat at or support in any way, any company who would ban children from their establishment.

So you never have been to a bar or casino. Interesting.

[Catsumi]

While visiting in Japan and dining out constantly, I was amazed at how well behaved their little ones are. The parents are doing something right in teaching their kids how to conduct themselves in restauants.

Even on school grounds or in public parks mobs of kiddies played happily together. Mercifully, they have not and I hope never will, pick up the fashionable habit I have noted in our Canadian children and that is the eardrum-splitting SHREIKING.

[Merry]

I hear you Merry... But kids are kids .

I sit on my front porch in " Skidville " for a beer and a smoke and I'm surrounded by the little buggers . They're not a nuisance to me , except for having to put my smoke out . I kind of like the little tykes rambling on about some other kid taking the blue crayon when they wanted it ....

If kids in pubs bother anyone THAT much , perhaps they should go to a biker bar or a strip club ...

Yes, kids ARE kids, which is why the parents need to do a good job of supervising them, particularly when they are in public places.

I think kids SHOULD be allowed in public restaurants and bars that serve food, but I also think their parents need to be responsible for those children's behaviour, and make sure that the kids are not being a nuisance to either the staff or other patrons.

People pay good money to go out for a meal, and shouldn't have their experience spoiled by irresponsible parents who don't adequately supervise their offspring. It's equally important that wait staff be able to do their job without fear of being hurt by falling over a kid, or inadvertently hurting a kid by dropping hot food or liquid on them.

So yes, allow kids in restaurants BUT if the parents do not adequately supervise those kids then the entire family should be asked to leave.

[MAPearce]

^^ so , your problem is really with the parents and NOT the kids .

Me too .

[Thebrewhouse]

Children do not belong in pubs... I would never bring my child to subject them to gambling, vulgarity, etc... it seems that some people i this forum think it is their god given right to flaunt their privilege to bring their kids to the bar/ pub with them... there are hundreds of restaurants to choose from.. why bring them to a pub?