No, it's because they know you will follow through. They know you're not gonna say "you won't get any supper if you don't sit down", "I mean it", "Now sit down or you won't get any dinner", "if you get up one more time...". I hate when that happens, I just want to go over and say "sit down now!" and give them the "look".
I have to agree with your take on the two year old. They are not the same as having a say 7 year old "climbing the wall like Batman". I would not expect a 2 year old to behave like a 7 year old, unfortunately some of our 7 year olds behave like 2 year olds at restaurants.
I guess I agree to a degree with the owners of the restaurant, if people would make their children behave this wouldn't be a problem. I'm kinda sorry we don't live in a society where we can have a certain amount of tolerance for children (they are not little adults) yet still expect them to behave age appropriately.
Excellent summary. Everyone seems to be going to extremes ... "If a person objects to my 2-year-old at the opera, he just hates children!" No, a 2-year-old does not belong at the opera; get a babysitter, or get a DVD. Or, "People shouldn't be allowed to bring children to the opera at all!" even though a well-brought-up 10-year-old is perfectly capable of either watching the show or quietly dozing.
It comes down to adults simply not showing decent courtesy and common sense ... but then what do you expect, when people are talking on their cell phones at the opera?
I don't have kids, but I do tell people the same thing when they are trying to train their dogs. "Fido! Come Fido! Come here boy! Comeon Fido! Kiss! Kiss! Come on Fido! Fido! Come Fido! Come here boy! Comeon Fido! Kiss! Kiss! Come on Fido!" Till the dog finally comes or they just go get it.... I say "OK - you just trained the dog that they don't have to listen till you say it about 14 times. "Now, Say it once. And enforce it" Isn't that better? :~D