Posted on 04/20/2005 7:16:24 PM PDT by beaversmom
I'm writing this letter as a warning to young families; also as a plea to the retired population.
My husband and I recently relocated to Central Florida from the Midwest in order to pursue our careers. We chose to move into Winter Haven because it is a growing city and appears to be welcoming to young families such as ours.
When moving here we were well aware of the large population of retired people. However, never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be accosted at a family restaurant because my child's talking disrupted an elderly group of diners.
Recently, my husband and I took our young son to a local restaurant that caters to families. We chose our time wisely, after nap time, and well before busy dinner time.
We were seated, and while waiting for our food, our son began talking about the children's menu, listing the colors and naming the pictures -- typical toddler conversation.
He was not screaming, nor do we allow him to walk around in restaurants.
Any time that we are at a restaurant or store and my son is screaming, we leave promptly. I would never knowingly disrupt anyone's meal.
During our meal a large group of elderly diners were watching us. I assumed that they were admiring my cute child. I was wrong.
As the group of people were leaving a man approached our table and angrily, and in front of my child, told us that my son ruined their meal. I responded with shock and was very upset.
The people at the table directly next to us were also shocked because they weren't being disrupted.
The manager had to ask the man to leave because he was so hostile to us.
Then, even more shocking, a few minutes later, another retired lady and her husband chimed in that my family was a disgrace.
I am afraid that more of this might happen because of the inflow of younger families clashing with the retired population.
Culture has changed in the past 30 years. We no longer hide our children away. Instead of expecting our children to be seen and not heard, we celebrate their joy and encourage them to be members of our society.
My advice to young families is to protect their children. Give them a variety of experiences, take them to dinner, the park, the play, anywhere that they can.
My advice to diners, whether they are elderly, or just cranky, is this: If you are at a restaurant and you don't like where you are seated, ask a manager to move you. You do not have a right to insult someone's child.
Two words to rude seniors: "Soylent Green".
I respect my elders until they disrespect me or mine.
Maybe they were Canadian. Not only are they rude they don't tip.
I agree with ,"You do not have a right to insult someone's child." Older people sometimes forget what it is like to be around someone who is young. My mother does it to my 8 yr old nephew and my fiance's 6 yr old son. Doesnt make it right, but thats what they do. Lets ship em off to Grouchy Island!!!
"Never sas your elders. Unless they sas you first." Mark Twain
"Instead of expecting our children to be seen and not heard, we celebrate their joy..."
I like 'em quiet at restaurants, myself. Celebrate their joy outside or at home.
There probably is more to the story. When she noticed that "a large group of elderly diners were watching" her family, she decided that they must, of course, be "admiring my cute child." Puh-lease!
Most of my friends actually hallucinate daily that their children are "well behaved"!
I find it appalling and refuse to go out to public places with them.
It's not only tiresome, it's embarassing!
Find me a child with manners and I will find the nearest parochial or home school spot!
What Narcissists now consider "acceptable" is reprehensible.
My son is happy, healthy and well aware of his stature as a tween. He "gets" the rules of behavior.
Snowbirds get hot........film at eleven.
BTW where was "Daddy" when these folks were insulting or dressing down his family ? She did say "family" didn't she ?
The retirees of today are truly the most selfish generation.
Let a blue-hair come up to my table with an attitude like that, and I'll adjust it for them, and it won't be a pleasant adjustment for them either.
By and large I hate dining in public. Any public gathering presents a challenge, as in "Bite the lip." I'd be dead by now if I spoke what was on my mind, from the kid who pulls up next to me in a car chock-full of concussion music to the guy ahead of me at Dunkin' Donuts who has not the foggiest notion what to order. Really.
The challenge is to curb ones tongue. Even more, to take up an attitude of grace toward strangers.
As for Florida, I don't know why anyone would want to live there. Not only are they axious to knock you off as a burden to society, but they can't count votes. The only fruitier state is California.
And as for retirees who cannot endure the sights and sounds of a child growing up, they can help themselves to a healthy enema.
My daughter is 6 y/o and I have taken her to restaurants since she was a newborn.
Never has anyone ever said such things to us. The only comments ever made by strangers was how cute or well behaved she was.
The fact that two people from to different tables makes me believe that this kid and family were doing something that led the first guy to exclaim his meal was ruined and the second lady to say her family was a disgrace.
Having said that these old people just need to keep their dissatisfaction to themselves. There is no reason for them to show their equally bad behaivor by being so rude.
P.S. I would have told the old farts, "Well, I guess it's a good thing you are so old because you will be dead soon and won't have to listen to children anymore."
Hahahaha!
I've dealt with more noisy adults over the years that noisy kids.
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