[Cagey]

So, he put a sign on the door at kids' eye-level, asking children of all ages to use their "indoor voices."

More Photos and Video at the source page.

[RavenATB]

As if we needed more ammo to make the case that ours is the absolute worst generation of "mothers" in American history.

"How dare they (those evil property owners) ask that I keep my child's behavior under control. The day-care center I've dumped him/her in since the age of six weeks doesn't teach good behavior. And, until the taxpayer funds behavior training for my kids I shouldn't be expected to have well-behaved kids."

[CommandoFrank]

New sign:

"Unruly children will be given a free ride inside the pastry blender followed by a one hour tour in the oven!

Frosting will be provided at the end of the tour...

[GB]

Here is the link to the New York Times story on this that was posted for discussion here last week. It's much more detailed than this report:

http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/11/09/national/09bakery.html

And these quotes in particular:

"I think that the mothers who allow their kids to run around and scream, that's wrong, but kids scream and there is nothing you can do about it. What are we supposed to do, not enjoy ourselves at a cafe?"

"You go to a coffee shop or a bakery for a rest, to relax, and that you would have to worry the whole time about your child doing something that children do - really what they're saying is they don't welcome children, they want the child to behave like an adult."

... about made me swallow my cud.

[CORedneck]

This also reminds me of what happened one time. I was waiting in line at the video store behind a grandmother with her 13 year old grandson. He was being mouthy with her and she didn't do much. I thought of saying to the kid to shut his mouth and show some respect to his granny but I bit my tongue.

I have friends (friend & his wife) in California who went to Alabama (rural) for vacation. They mentioned that it is still expected that the adults take care of disciplining the kids if the kid's parents weren't around. The kid's parents would be informed at a later time as well. Therefore, in the video store, if it was in Alabama or other parts of the deep South, I would have an obligation to mention something to the kid.

[RightWhale]

This letting the children run wild in quasi-public places started maybe 35 years ago. They have ruined millions of expensive dinner experiences since.

[sweetliberty]

So now it is offensive to teach children manners and socially acceptable behavior? If that attitude prevails, the chaos in this country now is nothing compared to what it will be in another 10-20 years. I guess this mom wouldn't like my opinion very much. "If you can't (or won't) control your brats, stay at home with them."

[Aquinasfan]

"I have mixed feelings about it. It's a little off-putting," one mother said.

Not "off-putting." Anything but that!

[HamiltonJay]

We had a Cub Scout bon fire this past weekend, I was tempted to put up a sign:

Unsupervised children will be burned as fuel.


Very few problems, but it amazes me how lax some parents can be with their children around open fires.

[BunnySlippers]

Let the moms and the kids go elsewhere. I like to eat without having to deal with other people's kids.

[KenmcG414]

Only in America!!

[old_sage_says]

I do believe I would have had both my lawyer and insurance man prepare the language for the sign. Start the language with something like, "Due to compensation claims, liability and potential lawsuits ...".

Liability and compensation insurance are expensive, and a lawsuit would put me out of business. Fact is, uncontrollable patrons are not good for business.

[ChildOfThe60s]

More than once my wife has had to tell other's kids to behave (in no uncertain terms!) in various places. The dimwit parents don't even complain usually. When they do she tells them to control their kids. I have done it also, but she has a gift for conveying authority that is unrivaled.

When she was a retail manager, some kid was riding up and down the handrail of the store escalator. She told him to get off, the mother loudly complained. My wife told her she was no longer welcome to shop there. Get out. Period.