Should a restaurant be able to turn away clients based on age?

[mano]

If the law allows it a restaurant should be free to refuse service based on age, but that's not the issue here.

The issue is, is the toddler likely to create a problem that would adversely effect the other patrons or the running of the restaurant?

As a very involved father who took my young kids to restaurants my belief is a child's behavior should never make anyone else in the restaurant uncomfortable for more than the time it takes to get the kid out of there. If my kids cried, screamed with delight or whined for more than a few moments, my wife and I decided ahead of time whose turn it was to take them out for a walk or sit in the car until they calmed down. That went for fast food, family or more upscale places, which was rare.

Re: whining. Ask any of my kids, their cousins or most of their friends, "What kind of restaurant is this?" and they'll answer, "A no whining restaurant!"

 

[retronotmetro]

Originally Posted by MrDaniels

So you have to welcome kids into cigar bars and porno theatres?

No, because those establishments cannot lawfully provide services to minors, so excluding them is compliance with a legal mandate rather than discrimination by the proprietor.

 

[MrDaniels]

So the solution is to put strippers in all high-end restaurants? I am all for it!!!

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by mano

If the law allows it a restaurant should be free to refuse service based on age, but that's not the issue here.

The issue is, is the toddler likely to create a problem that would adversely effect the other patrons or the running of the restaurant?

As a very involved father who took my young kids to restaurants my belief is a child's behavior should never make anyone else in the restaurant uncomfortable for more than the time it takes to get the kid out of there. If my kids cried, screamed with delight or whined for more than a few moments, my wife and I decided ahead of time whose turn it was to take them out for a walk or sit in the car until they calmed down. That went for fast food, family or more upscale places, which was rare.

Re: whining. Ask any of my kids, their cousins or most of their friends, "What kind of restaurant is this?" and they'll answer, "A no whining restaurant!"

That's parenting.

 

[MrDaniels]

Honestly, I would just not waste my time or money taking a young child to a nice place when there is risk of a meltdown and a requirement of constant supervision. Why spend in excess of $50 person when you can't even relax?

I just came up with a GREAT standard: If the restaurant does not have a children's menu, DON'T BRING A KID!!!

 

[gdl203]

^^

This seems to be a very important topic for you. I think you made your point already. Maybe you should run for office with a "no children allowed" bill as primary platform ?

 

[Bill Smith]

Interesting issue and being childless myself I do like having the chance to go to a "grown up" space to relax be it a bar, a nice meal at a resteraunt or a party. I also have a 3 year old neice and a 6 year old nephew and I love them dearly but I'm also a realist, they do not have the attention span for fine dining yet.

I have heard a similar issue here in Toronto a few years back where moms got super upset that a local cafe banned monster strollers inside their establishment because it became a safety issue (it's a small cafe).

What I really want to say to the parents with their wee little ones, "Thank you for helping keep the human species going, you have delightlful children, especially when they are colicy, having a tantrum and running around. Please have some consideration for those of us without child(dren)who want adult conversation at a party, or even a chance to savour our meals in peace with our dinner date after a stressful week."

 

[ld111134]

Years ago, a coffee shop in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood posted a sign in their window asking children to behave. A firestorm of criticism from local parents ensued: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/09/na.../09bakery.html

I am old enough to remember the time when parents made sure that their kids behaved while dining out. In our family, going to a restaurant was only an occasional treat, reserved for the occasional weekend night or family trip, and my father would give us hell if we talked loudly or acted up. These days, some parents feel entitled to bring even the youngest children to restaurants (not just "family" places), consequences be damned. I don't take issue with bringing kids out to eat, but parents should me respectful of their fellow diners and not treat the restaurant as an extension of their own private space. OK, I admit I'm being a curmugeon.

 

[MrDaniels]

Originally Posted by gdl203

^^

This seems to be a very important topic for you. I think you made your point already. Maybe you should run for office with a "no children allowed" bill as primary platform ?

Actually, I really like kids and show great patience for parents who are having problems with them in public-even on airplanes when I can't escape. ButI think parents who bring toddlers to movies and quiet restaurants and expect them to be still and quiet for two hours are idiots and borderline abusive.

 

[acidboy]

Originally Posted by MrDaniels

I just came up with a GREAT standard: If the restaurant does not have a children's menu, DON'T BRING A KID!!!

but I do not like feeding my kids chicken fingers, mini burgers and pasta smothered with canned tomato sauce and grated cheese product

 

[spertia]

Originally Posted by acidboy

but I do not like feeding my kids chicken fingers, mini burgers and pasta smothered with canned tomato sauce and grated cheese product

Exactly. F*ck kids' menus.

 

[Bill Smith]

Originally Posted by ld111134

Years ago, a coffee shop in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood posted a sign in their window asking children to behave. A firestorm of criticism from local parents ensued: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/09/na.../09bakery.html

I am old enough to remember the time when parents made sure that their kids behaved while dining out. In our family, going to a restaurant was only an occasional treat, reserved for the occasional weekend night or family trip, and my father would give us hell if we talked loudly or acted up. These days, some parents feel entitled to bring even the youngest children to restaurants (not just "family" places), consequences be damned. I don't take issue with bringing kids out to eat, but parents should me respectful of their fellow diners and not treat the restaurant as an extension of their own private space. OK, I admit I'm being a curmugeon.

You're not the only curmugeon out there.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

To answer the OP, yes. Children are not a protected class for good reason: All of us are young at some point in our lives. While I'm sure that many children are well behaved, it is perfectly reasonable for a restaurant to enact a prophylactic rule barring children rather than making determinations on a case-by-case basis. If you don't like it, don't eat there and tell your friends not to eat there.

 

[MrDaniels]

Originally Posted by acidboy

but I do not like feeding my kids chicken fingers, mini burgers and pasta smothered with canned tomato sauce and grated cheese product


Fair point.

)

 

[LA Guy]

Originally Posted by MrDaniels

Honestly, I would just not waste my time or money taking a young child to a nice place when there is risk of a meltdown and a requirement of constant supervision. Why spend in excess of $50 person when you can't even relax?

I just came up with a GREAT standard: If the restaurant does not have a children's menu, DON'T BRING A KID!!!

Er, kids' menus suck. If they want to order from there, I allow my kids to do so, but they typically order off of the adult menu. I try to steer them away from entrees more expensive than mine, though my 11 year old has a love of the lamb, which is never a cheap option. My 2 going on 3 year old loves cheeses of all provenances, though she hasn't really gotten into any blues yet.

I spend in excess of $50 a person because I enjoy good food. Also, even before I had kids, I had no problem relaxing around them. I would much rather go out with a bunch of kids than go to a business lunch or dinner, truth be told. Now that, that is a good meal ruined. Nothing more tedious than having to talk shop over fine food.