| The other day I was standing on the platform of | | | | they expect different things. |
| Waterloo station (waiting for a delayed train) and | | | | On the one hand, I can sympathise with adult |
| I overheard a conversation between two other | | | | couples who are expecting a quiet, romantic |
| commuters (who I assume knew each other) | | | | dinner and are bombarded all night by screaming |
| about a restaurant they had both been to. The | | | | children - but it's partly the responsibility of the |
| one was complaining to the other that her | | | | restaurant to enforce a certain standard of |
| evening had been ruined by children sitting at a | | | | behaviour from all its' guests (that includes loud |
| nearby table - I looked forward to hearing about | | | | adults as well as children!) |
| some hilariously outrageous behaviour. It became | | | | Children have got to learn to eat in restaurants |
| apparent however that these children hadn't really | | | | somehow - surely the best way to do that is to |
| done anything wrong, other than being children: | | | | eat out with their parents? But is it fair to push |
| this woman's complaints were things like "they | | | | that on to people who would rather be in a |
| didn't understand what the dishes on the menu | | | | child-free zone? Maybe that's the answer: |
| were". Is that fair? Beef Wellington - not what is | | | | child-free zones. Some restaurants boast they're |
| says on the tin, not a boot in-sight - so how | | | | 'family friendly' so should other's boast 'adult |
| would you know without asking? So I concluded | | | | friendly' and keep the two dining experiences very |
| that this woman's complaint was really about | | | | different and clearly separate. |
| being around children in the restaurant at all, | | | | But there is always a grey area. High street chain |
| rather than what they were doing while they | | | | restaurants: the only affordable option for some |
| were there, and it got me thinking - are | | | | couples, but also a popular destination for families |
| restaurants really a place for children? | | | | and children. Is it fair to suggest that adults who |
| I'm certain that your response to this question will | | | | can't afford to go to an adults-only restaurant |
| often depend on whether you yourself are a | | | | don't deserve to relax without children around? |
| parent. Parents will often say things like "I don't | | | | But is it fair that some people have something |
| want to leave my children with a babysitter?" and | | | | against children? |
| "You just hate children..." but those aren't the | | | | At the end of the day it comes down to personal |
| sorts of points I want to focus on here. | | | | choice - a rather unsatisfactory conclusion. Adults |
| The European attitude is very much pro-family | | | | who like to be alone have to pay for the privilege, |
| dining. In Italy for example eating (out or in) is a | | | | while families have to cope with child unfriendly |
| family affair, which I applaud. The difference is in | | | | diners. Maybe a bit more consideration from both |
| the culture though: people eat out far less in | | | | sides of the fence is called for... |
| England than in other countries and when they do | | | | |