Rant to the parents at Noble Barton last night letting their kids run wild

[goofymeerkat]

Your VERY LOUD kids were chanting and clapping the same thing…over…and over… And then they started running around the place, stomping and yelling. I can’t believe not a one of you at the “Adult Table” cared enough to ask them to be quiet. You’re the kind of people who make others cringe when mention of a “family-friendly” restaurant comes up. When you finally left and took your wildlings with you, there were glances of relief exchanged all over the restaurant.

I will say that Noble Barton is still one of the best local eateries; please don’t ruin it for people who want to go and eat and have a conversation.

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[melissa]

Did you speak with the parents there? Seems like that might be a little more effective than complaining on a blog.

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[goofymeerkat]

I’m…not sure how I’d approach that. “Hey, folks, your kids are obnoxious. Can you ask them to keep it down?”

I dunno…I see what you’re saying but it seems like a shortcut to a fight. Are you a parent? How would you react to that kind of approach? Not being snarky, just truly curious.

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[Alan]

I think there might be a more tactful approach between not saying anything and calling their kids obnoxious. If you are struggling for the words, it would probably be best to say it to the server and ask if they can’t do something. The server can then act as a buffer with “Personally I find your kids charming, but we have customers that are complaining. Can you please have them quiet down a bit?” or they might move you deeper into the bar, away from the noise. Or they might ask what your problem is, in which case you can decide if this is the restaurant for you.

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[JanS]

I think that if these kids were so bad, there shouldn’t have been a need for customer intervention. The servers, manager, etc. were well aware of the situation and should have taken the bull by the horns themselves and asked the parents to corral their kids. It’s their responsibility. I, myself, use a cane…and there may have been a little tripping accident if they came close to my territory…;-)

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[Lindsey]

I’m a parent of a very energetic toddler who we occasionally allow into restaurants with us. But I would be absolutely horrified if my kid was ruining someone else’s evening. However, I find the situation at Noble Barton to be the ideal restaurant set up. Where you in the family friendly section? Or were you in the bar area? I guess I’d be a bit more forgiving of parents whose kids are letting loose (to a degree) in that area, but if the kids were in the bar that’s just totally not okay for either the patrons or the bar. Maybe Noble Barton needs to be more clear with kidless people being seated in that front section. That’s not to say I think kids should be allowed to roam free or yell. That’s not cool at all. If parents don’t want to watch their kids in public, then get a babysitter. I would say something to the server and let them handle it.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 1 month ago by Lindsey.

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[melissa]

So, I responded to you yesterday, Goofymeerkat, but my response contained an obscenity in reference to the parents of the running, screaming kids, so I guess it was pulled. Anyway, in answer to your question, yes, I’m a parent, and my kids have never been allowed to behave like that in a restaurant. When they were younger and we went out, inevitably one of the adults spent part of the meal outside with whichever kid felt rowdy that night. We figured that was the price of parenthood. Running, uncontrolled kids create danger for themselves and servers, so I think the restaurant should have spoken with the parents. I understand the reluctance to do so, however, in the age of the Yelp condemnations that might ensue. If the restaurant management didn’t speak to them, I’d tell the parents that their kids’ behavior was making it difficult for you and your party to carry on a conversation and that you were worried for their kids’ safety, as well as that of the servers. The parents might be annoyed and irritated, but that should be their problem, not yours. So, yeah, I know it’s uncomfortable, but I still think it’s worth saying something. Best wishes for peaceful meals from here on out.

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[JoB]

I am uncomfortable with the notion that it is my job as a patron of a business to tell the parent’s of misbehaving children that their children are misbehaving..

after much consideration.. i have decided that establishments that don’t speak to the parents of children who are making a disturbance would rather have their business than mine…
and i won’t go back.

I don’t know if the places i no longer go miss me or not.. but i can guarantee that i don’t miss them enough to put up with having my meal ruined.

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[Bonnie]

Are you sure the kids didn’t have special needs? That would make a big difference to me. My son has autism but he never acted out in a restaurant but I know that many do. Just because someone has a kid with special needs does not mean they can’t go places. I don’t know if that is the case at all though so I’m not judging.

Me, personally, if my kids were acting up I would have asked for a to go box and left. I have to say though that I have gone to restaurants with my kids and my friends kids where they were HORRIBLE. (my typical child was horrible, my special needs child was not) I’m surprised we didn’t get kicked out by our awful kids. In that case we ate as fast as we could and left!

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