Dave Smith > wrote in message
...
> ~patches~ wrote:
> > > any child whose parents can afford to take them to a
> > > 4-star restaurant, and are willing to inflict the inherent
> > > obnoxia of a preschooler on people expecting a relatively
> > > refined dining experience is likely a spoiled brat, yes.
> > >
> > I'm sorry but I disagree. You see we raised our kids and
> > we exposed them to the finer element in dining. But, we
> > had the rule if they acted up in any manner, they were out
> > the door and that is how it should be. They should not be
> > allowed to disrupt other diners and there is a certain decorum
> > they needed to learn for public dining.
> >
> I certainly admire that sentiment, but I have to ask, if you were
> part way through the main course and into a bottle of wine and
> the kids started acting up would you really get up and leave?
> I have seen to many parents allow their kids to run around in
> restaurants.

To answer your question, yes. I have twice picked up Daughter-units
Alpha and Beta and left a restaurant when they became too fussy to sit
and began to affect those patron around us.

The first time, both girl-units were infants. They were asleep when we
arrived for our reservations so we felt reasonably sure we could eat and
be done by the time they awoke -- by the end when the check was being
delivered. But by meal-delivery -- after the sixth couple came by and
cooed at us how lovely they were -- both were fully awake, screaming
holy hell and less lovely than prior. I quickly lifted both up and we
three exited until I could calm them down.

The second (and last time) either tried the "well they're all running
about so we don't have to" scenario, a quick trip out to the car to
explain what I expected in a restaurant was enough to end any
shenanigans.

Spawn isn't ready for that level of dining so we get a babysitter and a
TV dinner for her. She's happy and so is everyone else.

It's all about setting expectations and adhering to the "If-Then"
scenarios. My girls are consistently complimented on their manners and
maturity. They are asked back when others are not.

The Ranger