Subject: Children in pubs and resturants ?
Posted by: s-m-w
Date: May 05 10
Just arrived back from town after a day’s shopping; nothing unusual about that or that we had a late breakfast in the Copa in Cheltenham (which I can strongly recommend).
OK, long story short...
Was just about to tuck into a wonderful “Full English” (11.30) when in walked mother, daughter with one 4 year old girl and a baby boy approx 10 months into the selfsame pub/restaurant my initial thoughts were “please sit anywhere but not close to us” and looking around many of the other patrons felt the same. But, no such luck! The noise of screaming and throwing of anything within grasp of the brats then ensued. Many of the people sitting around either just left the establishment or took their food /drink to other tables hoping to continue in peace.
Question, am I and others who would like to enjoy their food/drink in such places being unreasonable, or is it time that people with unruly peace disrupting kids were asked to either stay at home or control their kids?
It was a dark day in my opinion when the licence laws changed in U.K to allow children onto licensed premises.
Rant over.
Posted by: s-m-w
Date: May 05 10
Just arrived back from town after a day’s shopping; nothing unusual about that or that we had a late breakfast in the Copa in Cheltenham (which I can strongly recommend).
OK, long story short...
Was just about to tuck into a wonderful “Full English” (11.30) when in walked mother, daughter with one 4 year old girl and a baby boy approx 10 months into the selfsame pub/restaurant my initial thoughts were “please sit anywhere but not close to us” and looking around many of the other patrons felt the same. But, no such luck! The noise of screaming and throwing of anything within grasp of the brats then ensued. Many of the people sitting around either just left the establishment or took their food /drink to other tables hoping to continue in peace.
Question, am I and others who would like to enjoy their food/drink in such places being unreasonable, or is it time that people with unruly peace disrupting kids were asked to either stay at home or control their kids?
It was a dark day in my opinion when the licence laws changed in U.K to allow children onto licensed premises.
Rant over.
131 replies. On page 3 of 7 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
foosyerdoos
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I think that over the years the pub industry has changed from being a drinking venue and has chosen the route of being a drinking and eating venue. If it is to continue to make any sort of profit it sort of has to supply the market with what it wants. If young families choose to eat at a pub then the pubs will have to supply that demand. If not they go out of business! Then your stuck drinking at home with your own children annoying you. Never mind, maybe we should al retreat to the garden shed. Reply #41. May 07 10, 6:24 AM |
Mink 
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You'll still hear the neighbours kids from the garden shed though - they'll be having a barbeque and sharing their music as well! Reply #42. May 07 10, 8:24 AM |
| BxBarracuda
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If the bar/pub I liked, whether for drink and food or just drink, started having children in it on a regular basis, I wouldn't go to that one anymore. If a child was in the bar/pub and not causing any disruption, I wouldn't mind that. Many I know, would feel the same way and have said so in circumstances like that. Reply #43. May 07 10, 8:24 AM |
pmarney
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I bet when Steve started this post he did not expect the response he has got to it, sometimes it's just nice to let off a bit of steam Reply #44. May 07 10, 9:37 AM |
| s-m-w
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"I bet when Steve started this post he did not expect the response he has got to it, sometimes it's just nice to let off a bit of steam" Rofl... This is what happens when you interupt a Full English... Cheers Reply #45. May 07 10, 9:56 AM |
| pmarney
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Your welcome mate. I get my once a week full English tomorrow, but I have the works including Kidney & Black Pudding with all the normal bits. we have it about midday and call it Brunch Reply #46. May 07 10, 10:37 AM |
cydonia325
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I'm gobsmacked by the judgmental, superior tone of "some" of these responses. Don't you remember what it was like to be a young child? Would you prefer that children be seen and not heard? A well-behaved child is not the same thing as a trained dog or a circus monkey. I was brought up to curtsy to adults, stand up when they enter the room, never speak unless spoken to... blah, blah, blah. I did not raise my children that way, and even my mum, who is an etiquette authority (for whatever that is worth), has revised many of her books. Should children be in pubs? No, but only because I worry about smoke. I have always brought my children to restaurants, but only the family friendly ones. McDonald's and like are not restaurants. I never bring my autistic child to any restaurant in case I get chastised by people who do not understand. He never gets to go anywhere, including outdoor restaurants, lest he "offend" an adult. This is always a problem in England, but rarely an issue on the Continent or Ireland, where proprietors and guests are much more sympathetic to his disability and large families. At least s-m-w admitted to having a nannie. Egads! I have had the same Irish (but trained in England) nannie for the past 13 years. Reply #33: "Big_F #16 - of course - wish I'd thought of that! nannies are full-time parent substitutes, while the real ones are working, or golfing, or watching Jeremy Kyle. But it's OK because parents with nannies have Quality Time with their children. *sigh* That's ten minutes putting them to bed and tucking them up, asking them how their day was and not waiting for an answer, then going downstairs again and sinking gratefully into a gin and tonic... or a beer... " Right... this is why I have a nannie. I certainly will not justify my reasons on this board for having a nannie who is part of the family. I don't judge other people for their child-rearing choices. Reply #47. May 07 10, 11:46 PM |
sherry75
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I think there is some confusion here as to what an English pub represents - its not a bar, it's not primarily a restaurant - it is a place to drink and for "adults" to socialise. It is very much a cultural and traditional thing and unique to this part of the world... I know there are quasi "Irish pubs" with all wistles and bangs, but nothing like what is now rare, the old English pub. Not so long ago even women weren't admitted to pubs in Scotland. Incidentally, smoking has been banned in pubs in the UK for getting on for 3 years now... We have two pubs in the village - one family friendly and the other full of locals (but with a great garden where you can take children) and to be honest it is so packed with grown-ups in the evening, there isnt room for children in the bar areas. It's very traditional and a welcome blast from the past. It's horses for courses, isnt it - you vote with your feet and your wallet. I have 8 grandchildren and am very careful where I would take the younger ones for a meal - frustrating for them and for any adults, to over indulge them with an "anything goes" attitude. Most kids love fast food restaurants because, by nature, they are just that - fast. Ghastly food, but cheap and cheerful and good for topping up salt, fat and sugar levels - perfecto. Reply #48. May 08 10, 1:34 AM |
| cydonia325
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sherry, I do know the difference between a pub and a restaurant. I lived in England for many years, worked in a pub and agree that children should not be allowed in pubs. It is the second part of the topic question "and restaurants" with which I disagree. By the way, I went to school in Cheltenham, though I did not go willingly. :) Reply #49. May 08 10, 1:58 AM |
| sherry75
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I appreciate that you do Cydonia, but an awful lot of forum members probably do not. Oh dear, can think of worse places than Cheltenham college - co-ed now... beautiful buildings in a special part of the town... am sure you liked it really. When I was little, a pub always held some sort of mystery - you couldnt even see through the windows and to be honest, was happy as Larry to sit outside with Mum and sister with our pop and a packet of crispts. When I got old enough to go into pubs, couldnt see what all the fuss was about. That being said, inspite of children not being allowed at the bar, this rule is seldom adhered to. Reply #50. May 08 10, 2:24 AM |
| sherry75
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Oops sorry for typo - crisps (potato chips). The restaurant Copa is actually a bar which serves food with a lovely outside sitting area - and it was a sunny warm day... I think it was the lack of consideration which really got to us, in that not once did yummy mummy consider those at the tables next to her.. I dont expect children to be little automatons, but basic manners and not tearing around creating havoc is not too much to ask. Still think there's an untapped market out there for children only restaurants, serving decent attractive food which looks and tastes good. It doesnt need to be tacky - just fun: we could all do with a little more fun in our lives these days. Reply #51. May 08 10, 2:30 AM |
| pmarney
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I don't think anyones saying keep the kids out, just that parents should take control of their children and educate them whilst they are in public. I have brought 4 boys and we used to take them all over, butthey were always taught how to behave in public and would not dare play up, but these days a lot of parents just let their kids run wild and take no responsibility for their actions and what do you think will happen when these children grow up and have children. So no one is actually saying keep the kids out, just that they should be educated in how to behave and appreciate other people around them Reply #52. May 08 10, 2:33 AM |
navaho56
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Re: Sherry65 ~ "Not so long ago even women weren't admitted to pubs in Scotland." Worst thing we ever did letting them in, where's it all going to end. They'll be wanting equal pay next, pfttt, I ask you ! Reply #53. May 08 10, 7:31 AM |
blindcat78
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I think that if they can't control their kids that they either leave them at home or go to a eating place that allows children to be noisy. Reply #54. May 09 10, 1:30 PM |
Rowena8482
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It's not so long ago that I used to play pool on a pub team, and one of our opponents was a "club" which didn't allow women in the bar. It took a meeting with the four members of the committee who were there that night, a show of hands from everyone in the bar, and a slight "show of solidarity" by the entire rest of my team before they agreed that I could defile their precious bar area while I played my match, but only if I sat in the lounge the rest of the time. Reply #55. May 12 10, 4:55 AM |
| pmarney
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Whilst I was in the Army in the WO's & Sgts mess bar there was a brass strip a metre from the bar and no Ladies were allowed to cross that line, it was a few years ago now, but I believe so Mess bars still work something similar where Ladies are not allowed at the bar to order drinks. Theonly exceptions I remember were that on Ladies Dinner nights when the men waited on the Ladies at table they could go to the bar to order drinks Reply #56. May 12 10, 6:01 AM |
lesley153
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Rowena, you're full of surprises! I hope you slaughtered them? Reply #57. May 12 10, 8:36 AM |
trojan11
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I do not, and never have frequented Pubs, there aren't any here, anyway, not in the English style, that is. However, "Children should be seen and not heard?" No, no..........a thousand times NO! 'Children should be seen and shot!" Reply #58. May 15 10, 8:05 PM |
jolana
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ROFL, trojan. Reply #59. May 15 10, 8:26 PM |
turbotude
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I don't feel a pub is the best venue for children, no matter how well behaved they may be. Here in the US, liquor laws vary from state to state. But it used to be illegal to bring children in to a pub after 9:00pm, and under no circumstances were kids allowed to sit at the bar. Many pubs disregard that, and personally, I don't wish to have a 4-year old child, slurping on a 'kiddie cocktail' sitting next to me at a bar. That's supposed to be adult time. Absolutely, children should be made to feel welcome in a family style restaurant. Shame on the parents who allow their kids to act like little monsters, though! A bit off topic, but is there anyone else out there who would be willing to pay a few more dollars for airfare if you could get a "childless" flight? Reply #60. May 22 10, 11:26 AM |
131 replies. On page 3 of 7 pages. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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