Complaining in a restaurant

[Lullabelle]

I do not like to complain at the restaurant, although I sometimes see details that might be improved (service, reception, tablecloth cleaning, etc.). A couple of times it happened to eat a soup that was really too salty and I pushed it back, but without controversy or complaining, I just said it.
But there is one thing I complain. Children at the restaurant. They scream, they complain, they bother. The restaurant is not a place for children, they get bored, get tired and need to move around. When my brother and I were kids, we rarely went to the restaurant with my parents, and when it happened, we were silent and sitting at the table without disturbing others. Never. When we could not, then we could get up and go out, but without disturbing anyone Once at the cinema, my brother and I started crazy, my mom got both of us and went away. We begged her but nothing. The next time we remember it and we were in silence.
When it is no it is no. Ok explain why, but anyhow it does not.

As a child we rarely went to restaurants. Too expensive for a family with 7 children. The few times we did go to a restaurant it was either cafeteria or buffet style. We never DREAMED of acting out.

My two sisters and my brother took their daughters out with them from infancy. They never "acted out" in public. Two of the girls now have children of their own. The eldest has two year old, boy, girl twins. The other has a 7 month old boy. Their parents take them everywhere. You would think that the twins would wreck havoc. Not the case. They behave like a little lady and gentleman. They know when it is OK to run around, make noise and be a typical two year old and when it is not OK.

I agree that yes young children can get bored but I have seen parents ignore their kids because they are too busy socialising with their mates, then moan about their kids being out of control and roll their eyes expecting sympathy completely ignorant to the fact that they are to blame for their child's behaviour. I have a colleague who repeatedly complains about hers and I really have to bite my tongue and stop myself from pointing out that she is responsible.

Us 3 knew the score when we were out with our parents, we were smacked-lesson learned.

 

[MypinchofItaly]

I agree that yes young children can get bored but I have seen parents ignore their kids because they are too busy socialising with their mates, then moan about their kids being out of control and roll their eyes expecting sympathy completely ignorant to the fact that they are to blame for their child's behaviour. I have a colleague who repeatedly complains about hers and I really have to bite my tongue and stop myself from pointing out that she is responsible.

Us 3 knew the score when we were out with our parents, we were smacked-lesson learned.

@Lullabelle you are right! Some parents are worst than babies!

 

[Elawin]

 

[ElizabethB]

@Elawin

 

[Elawin]

@Elawin

It's true though. People with children should either take them somewhere that caters for them, or leave them at home (or outside ) so the rest of us can have some peace and quiet.

 

[MypinchofItaly]

It's true though. People with children should either take them somewhere that caters for them, or leave them at home (or outside ) so the rest of us can have some peace and quiet.

or outside

 

[sidevalve]

Don't use 'trip advisor' or anything like it - the world is too full of professional whiners and complainers to believe half of the negative posts anyhow. If something is really wrong as opposed to not as I expected [that could just be me being odd or misunderstanding the menu] then I'll say something there and then. As for kids if they are two young to behave for a couple of hours then they are too young to be out at a restaurant in an evening.
Dogs in a food establishment - well if I add up the number of things I've caught from my dog [ 0 ] as opposed to the number of things I've caught from 'clean hygienic' people [everything else] I'll take the dogs.

 

[Elawin]

Don't use 'trip advisor' or anything like it - the world is too full of professional whiners and complainers to believe half of the negative posts anyhow. If something is really wrong as opposed to not as I expected [that could just be me being odd or misunderstanding the menu] then I'll say something there and then. As for kids if they are two young to behave for a couple of hours then they are too young to be out at a restaurant in an evening.
Dogs in a food establishment - well if I add up the number of things I've caught from my dog [ 0 ] as opposed to the number of things I've caught from 'clean hygienic' people [everything else] I'll take the dogs.

I only use trip advisor etc for ideas and locations. The number of dog friendly pubs and restaurants in our area has increased considerably. Some even have their own dog food menus.

 

[Elawin]

If you go to a restaurant that has children, always ask for a doggie bag, but remember:

 

[CraigC]

We have very few restaurants that we consider great for dinner. We just stopped going to the chains. We recently discovered a pizza place that actually has wood fired ovens and makes quality pies. For the most part, we can make better food at home. When we do go out for dinner, it is usually at higher end places that we know we will be spending $$$$. As far as complaining on site, if they do things like serve unopened clams and/or mussels and when we send it back, they pry them open and return them with pieces of shell in the dish, I will absolutely complain then and there. When it comes to bad service, my "complaint" will be reflected in the tip. I do not blame the wait staff for kitchen issues.