topic Re: I HAD to Say Something in Community Chat

I HAD to Say Something

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:33:36 GMT

My dad and I went out to eat for Easter dinner, and there was a large family sitting across from us.

I couldn't help but to notice the 3 - 4 year old boy putting the salt shaker in to his mouth.

All I could think about was the next unsuspecting patron using that shaker, with who knows what germs were on it.

When our server came by to ask how everything was, I told him that he might want to clean the salt shakers, because they had been in a child's mouth.

He made a face that indicated that he was disgusted too, and thanked me for letting him know.

A short while later, the salt shakers were removed from the table.

I am glad that I spoke up.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

roxxy1 — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:36:01 GMT

What's wrong with parents ? Who would let their child put their mouth on a salt shaker ?

That's just nasty. Glad you said something. I would have too.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

Mom2Dogs — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:36:22 GMT

Why do people let their kids act like that in a resaurant! Glad you spoke up.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

sandraskates — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:36:53 GMT

Ugggg. Good thing you said something and the server took action.

And that is why I never go to self-service yogurt stores or buy the self-service peanut butters in the stores. Because I've seen kids put their mouths right up to the spigots.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

meallen616 — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:38:18 GMT

I think you did the right thing by speaking up!

Re: I HAD to Say Something

SeaMaiden — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:39:01 GMT

Children and dogs have a lot in common.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

AKgirl2 — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 18:17:27 GMT

Lucky for us (public) our bodies are able to fight off most of the nasties out there, and in our homes. I'm pleased to say my son never did this, and we went out to eat at least once a week, whether it be lunch or dinner.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

Spurt — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:56:20 GMT

@Plaid Pants2

Some of these parents are just oblivous to their kid's actions when they are in a public place....SHEESH!!! I am so happy you spoke up and considered the next patron....If I were the restaurant owner I would have added an extra charge to replace the salt shaker....and if the parents questioned it, I'd tell them, "next time watch your kids"....

I also have an Easter dinner story, went to dinner with some friends....the restaurant was packed to the gills every inch of the place was filled........and there was more than an hour wait for more people to be served--- it was that crowded........There was 2 women seated in a table behind ours....one had a baby sleeping in a stroller.....there were 2 other kids.....one was about 6 the other around 8.....and these kids just started running around and around the table and then all over the restaurant....meanwhile here were the servers bringing in trays of drinks and food to large parties seated at tables....yet the women kept on talking and treating their childrens play time like they were at a park, and totally ignoring the actions of the kids......I turned and gave the kids a dirty look....the girl sat down, but the boy kept running around and around......My friend made a loud comment about unruly kids......and the mother finally said something to the boy he finally sat down. But I bet if the boy had run into one of the waiters with a tray and if food and/or alcohol was dumped on the boy that mother would have probably sued the restaurant for the incident, when it was HER fault for not making the kids behave.....Take them to McDonalds and let them run around where its kid friendly and they provide a place for kids to play instead of taking rambunctious kids to an adult restaurant!!! Thanks for letting me vent!

Re: I HAD to Say Something

CatLoverDogsToo — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:54:50 GMT

My daughter teaches second grade. She comes home with horror stories on a daily basis. My dog is better behaved than a lot of children I see when I am out. I trained the dog to be a joy to have around. I acted as a parent to my children, I wasn't their friend until they became adults. I would never have allowed such behavior, but I am "old school". My children were polite and respectful of others and their property and still are as adults.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

CinNC — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 00:55:35 GMT

We went to a restaurnt a few months ago. Our waiters wife and child came in. She sat the baby on top of one of the tables. Then they needed the table for another patron who came. All I could think of is the flatware etc...on the table where the baby's bottom was. Yuck.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

Spurt — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:03:45 GMT

@CatLoverDogsToo wrote:
My daughter teaches second grade. She comes home with horror stories on a daily basis. My dog is better behaved than a lot of children I see when I am out. I trained the dog to be a joy to have around. I acted as a parent to my children, I wasn't their friend until they became adults. I would never have allowed such behavior, but I am "old school". My children were polite and respectful of others and their property and still are as adults.

@CatLoverDogsToo

I guess in the "old school" days our parents taught us if we went to a nice restauant we had to be on our best behaviour, and display our best manners.....Times have certainly changed and not for the good. My sis has friends that are teachers and the horror stories I hear are unbelievable....heaven help the teacher that tells a child to turn off their smart phone and pay attention, or quit talking etc etc....the parents report the teacher for being "mean and cruel" to their dear little children, instead of doing the right thing and telling their kids to behave and mind the teacher! ..........I salute your daughter for what she has to put up with, my sister's friend said so many teachers are retiring early or going into other occupations, one she knows became a realtor just recently.....

Re: I HAD to Say Something

Bri36 — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:03:04 GMT

I would have said something too

My question is why would parents allow their child to do something like this?

Re: I HAD to Say Something

BarbiHollywood — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:03:52 GMT

Good for you. I would have done the same thing.

Hubby and I were out at our favorite pizza restaurant and I noticed a lady take a very small DOG out of her very small bag and let the dog's feet "dance" on the table. The dog was licking the table and the metal napkin dispenser. Hubby insisted I say nothing but I was boiling. A dog inside the restaurant was bad enough (can you say "VIOLATION??"), but the lady clearly knew she was doing wrong and thought nothing of it. Turns out, they were sitting at a table but were taking their pizza to go. When they left, I just had to open my mouth and tell someone. The server appreciated me speaking up, I spared the next person possibly from catching something, I spared the restaurant owner a health code violation, and I felt better. So there.

Silence means acceptance.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

NativeJax — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:04:52 GMT

I worked as a waitress for nearly 15 years....unruly children is a pet peeve of mine in a restaurant. Now, I accept that children will act out on occasion, tired, sick, over stimulated....but as a parent, be kind to others in a public place. Remove the child, I left with my son in hand if he was misbehaving on a few occasions as I wanted to be kind to others and also to teach my son good manners.

If the child grabbed it quickly and the parent missed it, it could happen. If the parent saw it and didn't reprimand the child and notify the staff about the salt shaker that is unacceptable.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

Bri36 — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:05:49 GMT

I see more and more parents that are not disciplining their children for some reason

I love kids. Not all kids are obnoxious. I see a lot of well-mannered kids I do see a lot of kids that are misbehaving though

Re: I HAD to Say Something

Mmsfoxxie — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:06:29 GMT

I was just reading this morning about a restaurant has just changed to being an adult only restaurant for this very reason. Their business is booming but, of course, some are bad mouthing them.

It's called Caruso's. I forget what city and state.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

SydneyH — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:10:42 GMT

Unless it's a safety isssue I would never take upon myself to do this, but whateves..........I understand why some might go off on a 'do gooder', lol.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

pupwhipped — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:13:47 GMT

@Bri36 wrote:
I would have said something too

My question is why would parents allow their child to do something like this?

Because they have their face buried in a cell phone and are totally oblivious to their children or anything else around them.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

Plaid Pants2 — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:14:41 GMT

@NativeJax wrote:
I worked as a waitress for nearly 15 years....unruly children is a pet peeve of mine in a restaurant. Now, I accept that children will act out on occasion, tired, sick, over stimulated....but as a parent, be kind to others in a public place. Remove the child, I left with my son in hand if he was misbehaving on a few occasions as I wanted to be kind to others and also to teach my son good manners.

If the child grabbed it quickly and the parent missed it, it could happen. If the parent saw it and didn't reprimand the child and notify the staff about the salt shaker that is unacceptable.

From what I could gather, it was three generations at the table.

Thre were three separate checks, and grandma who was no older than sixty, had the boy in her lap.

They were all talking to each other, and at one point, grandma did tell the child to take the shaker out of his mouth, but he kept putting it in his mouth over and over again.

They left without saying anything about the salt shaker.

That's when I spoke up.

Re: I HAD to Say Something

Spurt — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 01:23:32 GMT

@NativeJax wrote:
I worked as a waitress for nearly 15 years....unruly children is a pet peeve of mine in a restaurant. Now, I accept that children will act out on occasion, tired, sick, over stimulated....but as a parent, be kind to others in a public place. Remove the child, I left with my son in hand if he was misbehaving on a few occasions as I wanted to be kind to others and also to teach my son good manners.

If the child grabbed it quickly and the parent missed it, it could happen. If the parent saw it and didn't reprimand the child and notify the staff about the salt shaker that is unacceptable.

@NativeJax

My sis got a little peeved at me for giving the kids and parents dirty looks...."oh there just kids in an adult place, of course they're bored...show some compassion, let the kids be kids". but what would've happened if the kid hit the waiter carrying alcoholic drinks, the glass broke and a piece of glass hit him in the eye....or he was burned by a hot bowl of soup etc etc....then would it have been "let the kids be kids"..........Everyone at the table was finished eating, I saw the waitress ring up their check, so why not take the kids outside to burn their energy instead of annoying other patrons.....

I do have a friend that has 2 grandchildren and they are the best kids--- a joy to be around....and they behave beautifully when in a restaurant....its a matter of teaching discipline and manners, and the parents having some manners and consideration of others themselves! I told my friend she needs to give a mandatory class for all parents/grandparents on child behaviour!