I am so on the fence with this one…I am a mom, but I hate dining with crying kids (even my own)..I too am a paying customer and want to enjoy my eating experience, but when you bring kids to a restaurant, expect the unexpected, can someone say tantrum in 5…4…3…2..1! So, according to Fox5, one Atlanta, GA, restaurant, Grant Central Pizza, decided to take a stand, posting the following message on the bottom of its menus:
Dear all present and future patrons: GCP is proud of its reputation as a family restaurant, a title that we will work to keep. Unfortunately a number of our diners have posted unpleasant experiences because of crying and unsupervised children. To ensure that all diners have an enjoyable lunch or dinner with us, we respectfully ask that parents tend to their crying tots outside.
The restaurant’s co-owner added that while he likes kids, he doesn’t want one cranky customer to ruin the dining experience of all the patrons.
So, it should come as no surprise that the move has proven controversial. People have strong opinions about childrens’ place (or lack thereof) in restaurants.
Is the “crying baby ban” fair? Do you think it discriminates families?
I don’t think it discriminates. People pay their money for a nice experience. Not to be annoyed. I don’t care for crying babies either………..especially at the movies!
By the way, did you see that BlogHer is providing childcare for the event this year??? I immediately thought of you.
Now this is a very touchy subject. I’m not a mom yet, but I’m always around kids (teacher) and I love them, but it can get a little frustrating when a child is screaming their head off in the middle of a restaurant. If the restaurant is considered a family restaurant then you may encounter that if you’re on a date. However, I agree that parents should tend to their crying children away from the table if the child can not calm down. Some restaurants just have a family time or special family days. I think it’s difficult for restaurants to just rule screaming children out, because kids are just unpredictable. Hey, we just have to dine a little later when families are home and the kids are in bed. Lol
Wow good for BlogHer..that is great! We must meet up then!