I have to say the worst shift to work at a restaurant is Sunday lunch. Not because I'd much rather be sleeping in, or because I'm still recovering from my Saturday night rager turned Sunday morning hangover, but because of the countless families bringing their children in for lunch.
Along with these children come several annoyances. Loud noise would be one of them. "Oh yes I'll take my burger with a side of WAHHHHHHHHH" (that would be a baby breaking into a cry so loud it makes you consider retreating to a bomb shelter). Not only is it difficult to take your order with all of the noise, but it's also keeping me from providing my other guests with great service. People usually go out to unwind, not to have your crying infant deafen them.
A growing trend that's been spreading in some restaurants along the east coast is banning children under the age of six from dining. ABC actually broadcasted a piece about it last summer:
A growing trend that's been spreading in some restaurants along the east coast is banning children under the age of six from dining. ABC actually broadcasted a piece about it last summer:
Why, oh why can't my restaurant implement this ban?!
Aside from all the commotion, what's with parents letting their kids run around restaurants like they're in a playground? A server buddy of mine told me that last weekend, a family waiting to be seated let their five-year-old go play at one of her dirty tables. Not only is that completely unsanitary, you're also making the server's life 10 times more difficult. I mean, it's hard enough to carry around hot plates so heavy you practically need to be a body builder to lift them, but now we have to watch out for your munchkins running about as well, because GOD FORBID anything falls on your kid. Then it would be the server's fault, right? WRONG. It would be your fault for not keeping control of your child.
The next issue: children are picky eaters. Most restaurants have children's menus that accommodate the underdeveloped palate. This worked for me when I was young. My mom would give me options OFF OF THE MENU (I'd usually settle for a grilled cheese sandwich with French fries). But now I've noticed some new parenting styles ::cough cough:: [giveyourspoiledbratwhatevertheywant] ::cough cough:: that make life far more difficult for everyone.
I had a parent demand that our kitchen make his little precious spaghetti and meatballs. I explained to him that we didn't have that on our menu. The kid threw a fit! The father wouldn't take no for an answer, so I wound up modifying one of the dishes on the kid's menu, a hamburger, to almighty hell. Hamburger, cooked well, no bun, cut into small pieces, sub side of fries for buttered noodles (which is not even a side, but a dish all in itself), add side of pizza sauce... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
Be a parent. Tell your child he is having a hamburger or he's having nothing at all. I bet that would put an end to his little temper tantrum.
I had a parent demand that our kitchen make his little precious spaghetti and meatballs. I explained to him that we didn't have that on our menu. The kid threw a fit! The father wouldn't take no for an answer, so I wound up modifying one of the dishes on the kid's menu, a hamburger, to almighty hell. Hamburger, cooked well, no bun, cut into small pieces, sub side of fries for buttered noodles (which is not even a side, but a dish all in itself), add side of pizza sauce... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
Be a parent. Tell your child he is having a hamburger or he's having nothing at all. I bet that would put an end to his little temper tantrum.
But my BIGGEST issue with kids eating out would have to be the mess they leave behind. Food all over the table, coloring books, crayons scattered about, plastic kids cups with the lids off and liquids dripping out. And then I get yelled at by my boss after they leave because the table is a disaster area...
Please people, if you want to take your kids for a fun night out, go to Chuck E. Cheese. If you're looking for a night on the town, call a babysitter.
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