Have a baby and tried to eat at a restaurant?

[RedHeep]

My email today to IHOP:
Sir/Ma'am,
I'm writing to express my absolute displeasure in my recent experience in one of your restaurants.
My wife recently gave birth to our second son. We took an opportunity to visit your restaurant for breakfast while my oldest son was at daycare prior to some christmas shopping. Upon greeting the hostess and identifying to her that we had an infant carrier, she proceeded to seat us at a square table with 4 chairs. I assumed she was going to return with one of those canvas infant carriers or something appropriate to put my son's carrier in.
When my wife asked for something for the baby's carrier, her reply was "Just put it on the chair and push it up against the table, it won't go anywhere."
As someone who has already gone through the pains of dragging an infant son to restaurants, we've quickly determined which ones we patronize and which ones we don't. I was eager to give her an opportunity to fix the unsafe condition she suggested and returned to the hostess area to speak with her.
When I asked if there was an alternative, clearly expressing my displeasure with her suggestion, I recieved a very curt and rude "No."
I looked at her in disbelief. One of your employees actually suggested I put my infant son's carrier on a padded restaurant chair and shove it against a table in the middle of a room and didn't see the danger. On top of that, there were several booths available that I would have gladly sat at, but received a rude reply when I suggested some sort of alternative.
I had a similiar experience 2 years ago at Applebee's. My family never returned.

If you want to be touted as a "family restaurant," perhaps you should consider training your employees to recognize the dangerous situations involved with all types of families, not just ones that can sit in a chair or a booster seat. You should be ashamed that you have a restaurant that treats its customers in such a manner.


So now I have another restaurant to add to the list. I live in Jacksonville, NC, home to every Marine making babies as fast as possible. You would think some of these restaurants around here would be as family friendly as their advertising.

[RTicUL8]

I'd like to see their reply.

.


Did you ever write Applebee's?

[Boatwrench]

IHOP sucks, their resturants are usually dirty/grimy, try Waffle House...the food is better and you expect it to be dirty..

[Mtb Jak]

I eat out a bit with my gf and one time we went to olive garden with her family and her extended family all from out of the country and our waiter was a scumbag and very lazy, didnt care one bit about us. He thre our drink coasters down the table, and then when he brang the drinks didnt even place them on the coasters. We called the next day and her dad called aswell and they were offering us gift certificates and the GM garunteed he would be fired. We told them we plan on never eating there again and no one from either of our familys are so they can keep their gift certificates.

olive garden sucks anyways! :chef:

[jimgrms]

Your kind of lucky to find a ihop employee who speaks english

[Starboard M]

IHOP sucks, their resturants are usually dirty/grimy, try Waffle House...the food is better and you expect it to be dirty..
Mmmm, Waffle House....


Ive had very good experiences at every Ihop I have been at, ranging from 3am omelets to 9am eggs with a teenage soccer team.


Sounds like you got some stupid women who woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

[1985xjlaredo]

iHOP SUCKS!!! the one by us here is KC is nasty to say the least.

[XJ_Vikings]

during my 8 weeks in jacksonville i only went to hooters and texas steakhouse and got good service, now i dont suggest bringing your son to hooters, but to each his own...

[91Woody]

IHOP BLOWS... my wife, my 2 year old daughter at the time were traveling from CA to NH- (we moved ourselves). It happened to be Christmas Eve when we stopped to get a hotel for the evening. It was about eleven PM and no one else was open in this crappy town in Utah. So, we called IHOP and proceeded to place a "to-go" order. The host says we have no more "to go" containers left, I cannot do a to go order. I'm a little puzzled and upset at this point, so I walked over and decided to place the order in person. I get there place my order and tell them it's to go with the same reply. i say listen, we just drove 300 miles today with a 2 year old who is sick and a mom and dad who are hungry- you are the only place open. Please, just wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in a bag, I don't care what container it is in, we just need to eat. Refused, once again. No manager on duty. Thoughts of bringing my screaming and sick daughter passed through my mind, bring her in their dining room and show them how much of an ass they were being for not giving us an order to go. Wouldn't actually do it, but thought about it. REFUSED food on CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!!!!!!!! I almost shit myself. I have been a Chef for ten years, and I started in some not so glorious places....would I EVER refuse to feed someone if they were willing to compromise if it was necessary? Not in a million years. This showed a complete lack of CS training and caring for their guests. I called corporate HQ and spoke with a regional manager who said I'm sorry and here is your $25 gift card. EFF You!
What a crock!
Okay, I'm done.:lecture:

[RedHeep]

during my 8 weeks in jacksonville i only went to hooters and texas steakhouse and got good service, now i dont suggest bringing your son to hooters, but to each his own...

When you go from 8 weeks to 10 years, call me :)

The Hooters here is probably the nastiest one I've ever been to. I went once and didn't go back. Nothing but single Marines convinced they have a shot with the twice divorced 35 yr old waitress with runs in her tights.

[RedHeep]

I'd like to see their reply.

.


Did you ever write Applebee's?

I did and got a standard letter apology.

That time, I had to change my newborn on the table in front of me because there were no changing tables in either restroom. This was after waiting for more than an hour to sit down because there are supposedly only two tables in the whole restaurant that the fire inspector said you could put a baby seat at.
At one point the waitress actually asked us if we'd like to sit in smoking because they had tables we could sit at.
The changing table thing surprised me because they'd just completed a whole restaurant remodel (my buddy's wife was the manager). You would have though something like a changing table screwed to the wall would have been a no brainer.

[JeepinCoastie]

im sorry but the IHOP by me fricking rocks ... my buddys and i go all the time and as a matter of fact my mom and i were there last nite ...

[KarlVP]

No way IHOP rocks.

Waffle house is the SHIT. In a fight, waffle house would whip IHOP's ass.

[IntrepidXJ]

http://c.myspace.com/Groups/00010/74/58/10378547_m.jpg

[XJ_Vikings]

When you go from 8 weeks to 10 years, call me :)

The Hooters here is probably the nastiest one I've ever been to. I went once and didn't go back. Nothing but single Marines convinced they have a shot with the twice divorced 35 yr old waitress with runs in her tights.

if i ever reach 5 years at lejeune kill me please

[Stumpalump]

I live out of resturants when I travel for work and IHOP is great when everthing else is fast food or is closed. You have to remember the sharpest tools in the shed don't work at IHOP. I worked at one in Indy. A first job when I was 15 and quickly moved on up and out. Moved up to Pizza Hut!

[oo7ravisXJ]

Screw IHOP and Waffle House, its all about Country Waffles

[Spudboy]

There's got to be some irony here. IHOP just bought Applebees. :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

[KarlVP]

http://c.myspace.com/Groups/00010/74/58/10378547_m.jpg


I think he's more of a PPASSCCATAG kinda guy.

[JeepFreak21]

olive garden sucks anyways! :chef:

No kidding! My favorite part about that place is... if you walk in and order a pasta dish to go... it's ready in about 2 minutes... if you sit down and order the same dish, you're in the gawd forsaken restaurant for 3 hours! :gonnablow
Billy

[Starboard M]

In a fight, waffle house would whip IHOP's ass.
I beg to differ:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/StarboardM/Random/Google.jpg

[w_howey]

IHOP sucks, their resturants are usually dirty/grimy, try Waffle House...the food is better and you expect it to be dirty..

You've obviously never eaten at the AWFUL house in Kansas City,Mo.......


IHOP is grimy, cause all that damn syrup all over......

[WB9YZU]

Sorry, except to 91 woody (they should have done a carry out), no sympathy here for those who bring their babies, todlers, preschoolers, elementary school kids to resturants.

This one really blows my mind.
That time, I had to change my newborn on the table in front of me because there were no changing tables in either restroom.
How unsanitary. No excuse ! Those changing tables are a convenience, not required equipment.

People eating out, and paying good buck for their meals should not have to endure the folks who just can't deal with eating at home with their children. If the kids can't sit up straight, order their own food, and behave themselves, you folks need to leave them at home.

[w_howey]

iHOP SUCKS!!! the one by us here is KC is nasty to say the least.

The one north of Zona Rosa(or whatever that shopping center is called), by the airport is pretty good compared to some of the IHOP's I've been in......

[Glenn B]

Yikes, I am agreeing with Ron on this one.

Damned younger generation that thinks they are entitlend to everything. Just because you can reproduce does not mean you are entitled to a changing table when you bring your spawn out in public.

Sorry, except to 91 woody (they should have done a carry out), no sympathy here for those who bring their babies, todlers, preschoolers, elementary school kids to resturants.

This one really blows my mind.

How unsanitary. No excuse ! Those changing tables are a convenience, not required equipment.

People eating out, and paying good buck for their meals should not have to endure the folks who just can't deal with eating at home with their children. If the kids can't sit up straight, order their own food, and behave themselves, you folks need to leave them at home.

[RedHeep]

Yikes, I am agreeing with Ron on this one.

Damned younger generation that thinks they are entitlend to everything. Just because you can reproduce does not mean you are entitled to a changing table when you bring your spawn out in public.

Entitled? Hardly.

Is it nice? Of course it is.

My point is this: Want to advertise yourself as a family restaurant? Be family friendly.

My newborn sleeps the whole time I'm out. My two year old behaves pretty damn well too.

I feel bad for all you old guys that stayed in your house for the first 5 years of your kids' lives because you didn't want to be a burden to society. Maybe if you'd done a better job, us "younger generation" wouldn't be so screwed up.

[Glenn B]

I took all of my guys out when they were young. That was before all of you youngsters demanded "changing stations." everyplace you go. Get over it. You are not entitled to a changing station bolted to the wall...... even if they claim to be Familiy Friendly. That simply implies that they will put up with your brat, not that you can have everything you think you should have available.... at your fingertips. Certainly NOT chainging your turd filled diapers on a table.

My boys have flown internationally, and flights between states. Nobody complained.... they behaived. They have turned out to be great young men.... and all without "changing tables" in every family friendly place we went. Amazing.

Entitled? Hardly.

Is it nice? Of course it is.

My point is this: Want to advertise yourself as a family restaurant? Be family friendly.

My newborn sleeps the whole time I'm out. My two year old behaves pretty damn well too.

I feel bad for all you old guys that stayed in your house for the first 5 years of your kids' lives because you didn't want to be a burden to society. Maybe if you'd done a better job, us "younger generation" wouldn't be so screwed up.

[kdailey4315]

I took all of my guys out when they were young. That was before all of you youngsters demanded "changing stations." everyplace you go. Get over it. You are not entitled to a changing station bolted to the wall...... even if they claim to be Familiy Friendly. That simply implies that they will put up with your brat, not that you can have everything you think you should have available.... at your fingertips. Certainly NOT chainging your turd filled diapers on a table.

My boys have flown internationally, and flights between states. Nobody complained.... they behaived. They have turned out to be great young men.... and all without "changing tables" in every family friendly place we went. Amazing.

I'm actually part of the "younger" generation. 27 to be exact, but I was raised with old school mentality. If I acted up I got my ass beat, that's the way it was. (Especially when I was 14 and thought I could take my old man. We went out to the back yard and I learned a very valuable lesson that day.) My father was a great man and raised me well and I'm raising my kids well. If there is no changing table I take them to the car and do it on the back seat or the rear hatch. Problem solved. If they are being rude and unruley in the resteraunt then we take a walk and have a little "talk" in the bathroom. Again, problem solved.
Not all of us "younger" gerenation folks thinks the world owes us a living. Just most of us. (I blame the parents)

[JohnX]

Well...I guess I'll be eating at IHOP from now on....I hate listening to babies cry while I eat.

Go ahead and flame....I hate children (and parents who don't control theirs), its no big secret.

[kdailey4315]

[quote=JohnX]Well...I guess I'll be eating at IHOP from now on....I hate listening to babies cry while I eat.

Go ahead and flame....I hate children (and parents who don't control theirs), its no big secret.[/quote

I'm a parent and I hate parents who can't control their kids. Their kids need a good old fashion ass kickin.

[spudly]

No way IHOP rocks.

Waffle house is the SHIT. In a fight, waffle house would whip IHOP's ass.


Prison rules or straight fight?

[RedHeep]

I took all of my guys out when they were young. That was before all of you youngsters demanded "changing stations." everyplace you go. Get over it. You are not entitled to a changing station bolted to the wall...... even if they claim to be Familiy Friendly. That simply implies that they will put up with your brat, not that you can have everything you think you should have available.... at your fingertips. Certainly NOT chainging your turd filled diapers on a table.

My boys have flown internationally, and flights between states. Nobody complained.... they behaived. They have turned out to be great young men.... and all without "changing tables" in every family friendly place we went. Amazing.

I'm not demanding anything.

I can choose when and where I spend my money. If I get treated wrong at a restaurant, I don't go there anymore.

The only reason I ended up changing my son (not literally on the table) at the table is because we spent an hour waiting for a table in an empty restaurant and he woke up before we were finished. i had planned for that not to happen and it did anyway.

It's never one thing that irritates me. The chick at IHOP could have worked with me, all I wanted was to sit at a booth with my wife. When I was a kid, there were no infant carriers or car seats. Things change, places of business adapt. I really do expect a restaurant to be able to accompany my family.

I guess I'm lucky. I see the better side of the younger generation everyday. I guess all you see is spoiled brats.

[WB9YZU]

I'm not demanding anything...

...I guess I'm lucky. I see the better side of the younger generation everyday. I guess all you see is spoiled brats.

We, see there, you are wrong on both accounts.

You demand to make everyone else deal with your children.

I really HATE it when some inconsiderate SOB comes into a restraut with their children, where I am having a nice quiet meal with my old lady, and their kid goes into a spaz and won't shut up. Now, not only have they spoiled MY meal, but they have spoiled everyone elses also.

I don't see spoiled brats. What I do see is a lack of consideration for other people.

[Glenn B]

LOL..... what? :lecture:

I really do expect a restaurant to be able to accompany my family.

[ZacSquatch]

Never tried to eat a baby at a restaurant... Did I miss something on the IHOP menu?

[Boatwrench]

Interesting how this went from a discussion about a resturant hostess not giving a paying customer good service by reseating to an open booth to a I hate kids in resturants discussion.

[8Mud]

You know what eats me up. your sitting near some young woman with a baby. She turns maybe a quarter of a turn (for privacy) flops her udder out and the baby starts making noises like a demented suction pump.
Then heaven help you, if you even glance in her direction she will scowl at you and make a face that says volumes, "you pervert trying to get a glance at my milk machine".
I always feel like standing up and flopping my tool out and then accusing her of being a pervert if she looks at it.
Leave it to a female to take one of those warm fuzzy moments and turn it into something that elevates her ego.

[UNCC_99XJ]

Getting back on topic, have they sent you a response back yet?

We've always found raising hell infront of the rude waitor/waitress and or manager has been very effective. Although not the best way to handle it with an infant, it does work for just about any other situation. My family (7 of us total) go out to eat on Fridays every week at a restaurant in the area, and we've got a pretty good list going of who to go to and who to stay away from. Ironically, Olive Garden is one of our favorites....we've always had outstanding service every time we go, and the wait isn't really all that bad.

TGI Friday's however....well lets just say that was one of the most memorable nights, we got about $200 worth of food and various alcohol drinks for absolutely nothing. Something about the 45 minute wait just to get drink orders didn't quite fly too well with us. Not to mention, after waiting an hour after finally getting our drinks, the food they brought out wasn't even remotely close to what we ordered. It just turned out that the AREA manager was there that night helping out.....we went in a couple of weeks later to find entirely new management and wait staff. :D

As far as kids in restaurants go, if they're well behaved and/or properly disciplined, then i've got no problems. It's like others have said, when you bring your screamin brat in to a nice family restaurant, and fail to pop the kid something good for throwing a temper tantrum, then we have an issue. Makes me wanna go smack the parents.

[RTicUL8]

... and fail to pop the kid something good for throwing a temper tantrum, then we have an issue. Makes me wanna go smack the parents.

Well I guess that explains your avatar.

You violent, hurtful, abusing, ugly, meat-eating, gas-guzzling bully!!!


Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!:rattle: :rattle: :rattle:



.

[RTicUL8]

...and the baby starts making noises like a demented suction pump.


Yum! :D

http://www.radioopensource.org/wp-content/baby.jpg


.

[UNCC_99XJ]

Well I guess that explains your avatar.

You violent, hurtful, abusing, ugly, meat-eating, gas-guzzling bully!!!


Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!:rattle: :rattle: :rattle:



.

Don't get me wrong, I love kids. There are some however, who need to get popped once or twice when they get out of line. Maybe its just how I was raised....I dont know.

[FELIX]

Seems like living in a military town, the service seems to suffer. You know as I do, there is no place like Jacksonville. Even if they do have a sign just past the bridge that splits 17 & Court Street :o saying "All American City." all I ever saw were people waving flags for your money and saying they finance E1 & above. I always wanted to go in and say I'm just an E, can you finance me:rolleyes: Spent 3 years there. Wish I would have taken more advantage of all the history around the area though.

Rob

[MudDawg]

I'm sorry, but I must throw in my 2 cents here....I am of a similar mind set with Zuki-Ron, and Glenn B, and appreciate the old school attitude of K Dailey. Simply put, when I feel like throwing down bux for a good meal the last thing I want to deal with is screaming/running around causing disturbance kids.

But that isn't what really bothers me....what bothers me is the appearant total deafness and blindness of the kids parents....if you want to bring children to the table and they behave...all the power to you...if there is an infant involved (you can't expect an infant to be quiet if he or she is having some sort of problem) TAKE the infant OUTSIDE the restaurant until you get a grip on the problem...thats what my parents did, and what I did...I would NEVER expect anybody else to put up with it. I'm sure in a lot of cases "testy" waitresses are like that because half the people in the room tell HER to do something about the screaming 6 year old at table #3, on and off during her whole shift.

My favourite restaurant is a little independent place...there is a sign on the wall that reads: Unruly children will be asked to leave, the parents of unruly children will be shot.

[87manche]

I'm sorry, but I must throw in my 2 cents here....I am of a similar mind set with Zuki-Ron, and Glenn B, and appreciate the old school attitude of K Dailey. Simply put, when I feel like throwing down bux for a good meal the last thing I want to deal with is screaming/running around causing disturbance kids.

But that isn't what really bothers me....what bothers me is the appearant total deafness and blindness of the kids parents....if you want to bring children to the table and they behave...all the power to you...if there is an infant involved (you can't expect an infant to be quiet if he or she is having some sort of problem) TAKE the infant OUTSIDE the restaurant until you get a grip on the problem...thats what my parents did, and what I did...I would NEVER expect anybody else to put up with it. I'm sure in a lot of cases "testy" waitresses are like that because half the people in the room tell HER to do something about the screaming 6 year old at table #3, on and off during her whole shift.

My favourite restaurant is a little independent place...there is a sign on the wall that reads: Unruly children will be asked to leave, the parents of unruly children will be shot.
Have I missed something in this thread?
He didn't say that the IHOP asked him to leave because his children were being unruly, he said that they couldn't even be bothered to get my infant nephew a high chair.
Would you set your kid on a chair and hope that the child's movement didn't put them on the floor?
For what it's worth, I've been out to eat a few times with my oldest nephew, he sits there and he hangs out with us.

Maybe you shouldn't assume that all parents let their children do whatever they want. Redheep and I were raised by parents that were not afraid to discipline, and the tradition has continued, so before assuming that he lets his children run wild in the IHOP ask if he does.
My 2 cents.

[RTicUL8]

Have I missed something in this thread?

No.

It's just going all over the place...





Which reminds me...
Is it just me or would it be a great idea to spred out a 10X10 tarp under kids when they go out to eat?
My kid's food just seems to explode....it's weird.


.

[MudDawg]

I humbly apologize....I should have said "Those parents who allow their children to act like little animals" I in no way intended to insinuate that ALL parents allow their children that are old enough to know better act that way....as for the child seat thing...he should have calmly asked for the manager and insisted on the child seat and the booth...it would only have taken that simple request.

But I still stand on my statements that insist that noisy/loud/unruly children have no place in a restaurant.....quiet/well mannered, etc....by all means yes. It is truly rare and refreshing in this age to see a child that is well mannered and polite...you don't see that very often..if you are a parent that has some kids like that....my hat is off to you...

Personally I have no desire to bring earplugs and a pair of my shooting muffs to a restaurant so I can eat in peace....

[Glenn B]

So y'all are brothers? :moon:

Redheep and I were raised by parents that were not afraid to discipline, and the tradition has continued, so before assuming that he lets his children run wild in the IHOP ask if he does.
My 2 cents.

[johnnyc]

I agree with all the old farts here...since I'm one myself. Keep the kids at home until they can behave themselves in public!

I can't stand it when a kid will stare at you from the next booth and maybe pop you in the head a couple of times. And the parents think it's cute.

Don't even get me started on the stupid people who insist on taking infants or misbehaved children to a movie theater.

:flamemad:

But to the OP - yes, that was very bad service you received at IHOP. But you lost my sympathy when you said you changed your kid's diaper in the restaurant. :)

[87manche]

So y'all are brothers? :moon:
can't sneak anything past you ;)

[RedHeep]

Getting back on topic, have they sent you a response back yet?


I got an email yesterday from the national service manager telling me he had notified the regional manager and they were going to contact the store owner. Apparently, there is some strict corporate policies at IHOP with regards to children (since pancakes make it the kind of place kids want to go to) and they often argue with the parents who want to do things like flip high chairs upside down to put the car carriers on.

The local store manager called me at home last night and invited us to dinner at her restaurant. She asked me who I had dealt with and I didn't know, so I described her. She's pretty sure she knows who it was. Again, not my intention to get someone in trouble, since I know that if one person acts that way, it's probably not a one person problem.

We're going to go tonight to meet her, not so much to get a free meal (which was never my intention), but because she grew up a stone's throw from my hometown in Ohio and she's looking forward to meeting some folks from home down here.

I do want to apologize to anyone who thought my remarks were snide (ron, glenn). It wasn't my intention to get into a pissing contest over the discipline and conduct of families. I do still really feel it's pretty niave to restrict restaurants to couples and adult groups. My children are very well behaved and if they aren't, they'll soon realize it. I'm not talking about restaurants with "ambiance" or places where I wouldn't take my kids, I'm talking about pancake houses and preprocessed steak places. If you had bad service, you would have done the same thing. It wasn't about my kids, it was about how I was treated.

Like someone else mentioned, I've developed a list of places I go and places I don't. Your money isn't better because it doesn't come with distractions. I'm sure that if I was a couple with grown up moved out kids, I'd have the same list of places I would and wouldn't go. It would be just the opposite of the one I have now.

That being said, you guys can argue about whatever. There's been some resolution and I don't need another e-penis thread to check and waste my time with.

Josh

[WB9YZU]

That being said, you guys can argue about whatever. There's been some resolution and I don't need another e-penis thread to check and waste my time with.

Josh

Quit your bitching :laugh3:
You never had to check this one, or waste your time posting here to begin with.
Who was it that started this thread? Hmmmm....

I for one, am uber-glad you took on the local IHOP in the name of family values and all that's holy, and won ;)

Relax, have a beer, play with the little petri dish and have a Merry Christmas!

God, I feel so warm and fuzzy inside that I swear I ate the neighbors cat...Ug...:helpme:

[Glenn B]

No problem..... I hope you have learned from your experience, and that it will guide you as you grow. :listenmus

I do want to apologize to anyone who thought my remarks were snide (ron, glenn).
Josh

[Frank Z]

I have a 15 year old sone and a daughter that is 12. We've gone out to restaurants since day one and taught our children the right way to conduct themselves in public. I'll be the first to agree that unruly/wild/pigs-on-leash have no business in a restuarant, and this applies to their parents as well.

As far as ths comment is concerned...
Keep the kids at home until they can behave themselves in public!

....you couldn't be more wrong. Part and parcel of good parenting is teaching good conduct and respect for others around you. You can't just wait for it to happen all by itself. Good behavior is rewarded, bad behavior is punished.

FWIW, I have zero patience with the parents of screaming/misbehaving children in any establishment. I'll often ask my wife in a louder than normal voice if she agrees that the parent in charge of the rotten kids could benefit from a few Parenting Classes. That usually gets me a nasty look from the parent, but it also gets the parentsto Man-Up and control their offspring too.

[87manche]

FWIW, I have zero patience with the parents of screaming/misbehaving children in any establishment. I'll often ask my wife in a louder than normal voice if she agrees that the parent in charge of the rotten kids could benefit from a few Parenting Classes. That usually gets me a nasty look from the parent, but it also gets the parentsto Man-Up and control their offspring too.
sadly that doesn't always work.
about three neighbors ago in the rental next door I got yelled at by a mother after I told her child that it was stupid to sit down and play in the middle of the road, 10 feet from the intersection of a state route.

She started screaming at me from across the street about calling her kid stupid.
nevermind the fact that I almost hit her child with the truck when I turned onto the side street and he was sitting there, smashing the curb with rocks.
stupid is as stupid does...
You just can't help some people.

[ECKSJAY]

I have a 15 year old sone and a daughter that is 12. We've gone out to restaurants since day one and taught our children the right way to conduct themselves in public. I'll be the first to agree that unruly/wild/pigs-on-leash have no business in a restuarant, and this applies to their parents as well.

As far as ths comment is concerned...


....you couldn't be more wrong. Part and parcel of good parenting is teaching good conduct and respect for others around you. You can't just wait for it to happen all by itself. Good behavior is rewarded, bad behavior is punished.

FWIW, I have zero patience with the parents of screaming/misbehaving children in any establishment. I'll often ask my wife in a louder than normal voice if she agrees that the parent in charge of the rotten kids could benefit from a few Parenting Classes. That usually gets me a nasty look from the parent, but it also gets the parentsto Man-Up and control their offspring too.

I agree wholeheartedly. Went to dinner the other night with some friends (ironically it was to congratulate us for expecting another kid) who brought along their 13 month old son. We also had my 6yo daughter with us. Not a peep from either one for an hour and a half. The table next to us had a young 'Latin' couple who thought it was cute that the 4/5yo mop-topped spawn ran around getting into things behind the counter and annoying the hostess. "hehehehehe, sit down....hehehehehehe, sit down....oh well." I was nearly challenged by the alleged father/boyfriend when I shot him a dirty look and looked at the kid. They were finally asked to leave when the kid pulled down the bowl of toothpicks from the countertop, spreading them everywhere... Neither adult offered to pick anything up and the manager let them go without paying the bill.

Hell of a tactic...

:doh:

My daughter looked at me with wide eyes, KNOWING that she wouldn't sit down for a week if she pulled that kind of stunt. ;)

[UNCC_99XJ]

I got an email yesterday from the national service manager telling me he had notified the regional manager and they were going to contact the store owner. Apparently, there is some strict corporate policies at IHOP with regards to children (since pancakes make it the kind of place kids want to go to) and they often argue with the parents who want to do things like flip high chairs upside down to put the car carriers on.

The local store manager called me at home last night and invited us to dinner at her restaurant. She asked me who I had dealt with and I didn't know, so I described her. She's pretty sure she knows who it was. Again, not my intention to get someone in trouble, since I know that if one person acts that way, it's probably not a one person problem.

We're going to go tonight to meet her, not so much to get a free meal (which was never my intention), but because she grew up a stone's throw from my hometown in Ohio and she's looking forward to meeting some folks from home down here.

I do want to apologize to anyone who thought my remarks were snide (ron, glenn). It wasn't my intention to get into a pissing contest over the discipline and conduct of families. I do still really feel it's pretty niave to restrict restaurants to couples and adult groups. My children are very well behaved and if they aren't, they'll soon realize it. I'm not talking about restaurants with "ambiance" or places where I wouldn't take my kids, I'm talking about pancake houses and preprocessed steak places. If you had bad service, you would have done the same thing. It wasn't about my kids, it was about how I was treated.

Like someone else mentioned, I've developed a list of places I go and places I don't. Your money isn't better because it doesn't come with distractions. I'm sure that if I was a couple with grown up moved out kids, I'd have the same list of places I would and wouldn't go. It would be just the opposite of the one I have now.

That being said, you guys can argue about whatever. There's been some resolution and I don't need another e-penis thread to check and waste my time with.

Josh

Well there you go, sounds as if they're trying to make things right with you. It might also benefit you to get to know the manager and some of the usual employees, that way if you do decide to go back there in the future, you will know them, they will know you, and hopefully this issue will never happen again there.

[yardape]

The best customers are the ones that complain. They are the ones who bring issues like what happened to you to the forefront and allow for improvement. In the long run you may have kept that place from going out of business. Employees don't behave badly in front of the boss. Too often management is unaware until its too late.