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More often than not, young children and restaurants are not a compatible mix. The idea of sitting in the same place for over an hour without the freedom to run around and play with their toys isn’t appealing to many kids.
As a result of their boredom or discomfort, they may start to misbehave, creating chaos for both their family and nearby customers.
Highlights
- A NY restaurant rewards parents of well-behaved kids with a discount.
- Some praised the initiative for promoting good parenting, while others called it unrealistic.
- Critics argue that the idea could create challenges for waitstaff in determining what constitutes "good behavior."
A restaurant in New York has devised a possible solution to this common issue by rewarding parents of “well-behaved” children with a special discount.
A viral picture of the establishment’s bill lists a $6.72 discount off the total amount, thanks to the polite young customers.
RELATED:
A restaurant in New York has devised a plan to incentivize good behavior among their youngest customers
Image credits: Pexels/Vanessa Loring
The idea sparked debate on social media. While some argued that it’s an efficient way to incentivize good parenting, others highlighted the inherently unpredictable behavior of children.
A fan of the initiative said, “I like the idea. We’ve made sure our daughter is well-behaved, but there are some parents that let their kids run feral in restaurants, and everyone else has to put up with their screaming, throwing things, and running around people’s tables.”
“And a 10 per cent surcharge if they’re poorly behaved. We need the carrot and the stick on this one,” someone suggested.
“It really means ‘well-behaved parents.’ I used to take my kids out of the restaurant and let the rest of the family and customers eat in peace whenever one of my kids acted up,” a mother wrote.
“Most parents did at the time. I don’t see that happen very often nowadays.”
Another person shared, “I would absolutely 100 percent give a massive discount to well-behaved children at my job… I work at a toy store.”
The establishment provides a special discount to parents of “well-behaved” children as a gesture of appreciation for keeping a calm environment
Image credits: Pexels/ALINA MATVEYCHEVA
Other parents, however, insisted that customers should be more understanding towards young children, recognizing that it’s unrealistic to expect perfect behavior all the time.
“As someone who has what people continue to refer to as a ‘well-behaved’ baby, I think this is really stupid. Kids are people, they’re human beings, and not all of them are going to be ‘well behaved’ all the time, and that’s life,” a separate parent said.
“This is insane and dumb for a restaurant. Having someone make a judgment call on every single table with kids (unless it’s a literal guarantee to make them come back) is ridiculous,” another person complained.
Many parents loved the idea, while others argued that people should be more understanding towards young children
Image credits: Pexels/Anna Shvets
This family received a $6.72 discount for their well-mannered children
Image credits: BlackBurnerr
Then, some people pointed to the ambiguity of the term “well-behaved,” which could turn into a constant headache for the waitstaff when parents disagree with their definition.
“Now I want to see some lady demanding the discount because she thinks her brats are well-behaved,” a social media user commented, while another agreed, writing, “I can see this causing problems.”
Another person said, “I love this, but it’s also begging to set the worst kinds of people off (having such a discount kind of is, already). No one gets paid enough to deal with that s***.”
“What is sad is parents need incentive to make sure their children behave,” a separate social media user wrote.
The controversial idea sparked varying opinions among parents
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What do you think ?
ShellsBells 1 year ago
I've heard way too many times from parents, "They won't listen to me," and this includes my best friend. Unfortunately, "most" parents have allowed their children to be in charge, and the adults are now the lowly servants, having to accommodate every demand, even if it breaks them.
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ShellsBells 1 year ago
There's a restaurant in New Jersey, Nettie's House of Spaghetti, that has banned children under the age of 10. It's been just over a year since they enacted this practice, and they are still open. This isn't a Chuck E. Cheese like place designed for kids, it's a nice Italian restaurant that costs $50-$100 per person. I definitely wouldn't want to hear a temper tantrum going on or get smacked by flying spaghetti if I was paying that much. At that cost, you're paying for the ambiance as well as good food.
Alexandra 1 year ago
Once, a long time ago, my husband and I splashed out on a very fancy dinner while on holiday in France. We came in and saw to our, well, not dismay but surprise, a family of four. Mind you, this was a restaurant with damask napkins, a battery of cutlery and a number of varying glasses. The children were perfectly well-behaved. I had a little chat with the mom and she told me they take the children out, first to something like a mcdonalds, then to slightly more 'difficult' restaurants. She told me the children felt special because they were dressed in all their finery and that made them behave very differently.
- 1 year ago
Wow. Great training! I worked with someone who was good about getting his three-year-old used to restaurants. He proudly told us, "Yesterday, he ordered for the first time. It was a muffin."
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Fox with a Dragon Tattoo 1 year ago
As someone who spent more than a decade in food service as all levels/positions. Absolutely love this. Its a win on every single level.
arthbach 1 year ago
In the comments, someone said, "Kids and restaurants don't go together." Yes, they do. But the parents need to be teaching appropriate behaviour from a very young age. Parents also have to ensure they are not taking young children out when the child is too tired - that's just going to lead to disaster.
Steve Hall 1 year ago
If your child behaves at home during mealtime, great. If your child doesn't behave during meals, keep the child at home.
BriLikeTheCheese 1 year ago
this isn’t saying that kids aren’t allowed to be fussy or a bit “bad”, rather it’s rewarding kids who show maturity and are well-behaved. this is great!
ShellsBells 1 year ago
I've heard way too many times from parents, "They won't listen to me," and this includes my best friend. Unfortunately, "most" parents have allowed their children to be in charge, and the adults are now the lowly servants, having to accommodate every demand, even if it breaks them.
Load More Replies... ShellsBells 1 year ago
There's a restaurant in New Jersey, Nettie's House of Spaghetti, that has banned children under the age of 10. It's been just over a year since they enacted this practice, and they are still open. This isn't a Chuck E. Cheese like place designed for kids, it's a nice Italian restaurant that costs $50-$100 per person. I definitely wouldn't want to hear a temper tantrum going on or get smacked by flying spaghetti if I was paying that much. At that cost, you're paying for the ambiance as well as good food.
Alexandra 1 year ago
Once, a long time ago, my husband and I splashed out on a very fancy dinner while on holiday in France. We came in and saw to our, well, not dismay but surprise, a family of four. Mind you, this was a restaurant with damask napkins, a battery of cutlery and a number of varying glasses. The children were perfectly well-behaved. I had a little chat with the mom and she told me they take the children out, first to something like a mcdonalds, then to slightly more 'difficult' restaurants. She told me the children felt special because they were dressed in all their finery and that made them behave very differently.
- 1 year ago
Wow. Great training! I worked with someone who was good about getting his three-year-old used to restaurants. He proudly told us, "Yesterday, he ordered for the first time. It was a muffin."
Load More Replies... Fox with a Dragon Tattoo 1 year ago
As someone who spent more than a decade in food service as all levels/positions. Absolutely love this. Its a win on every single level.
arthbach 1 year ago
In the comments, someone said, "Kids and restaurants don't go together." Yes, they do. But the parents need to be teaching appropriate behaviour from a very young age. Parents also have to ensure they are not taking young children out when the child is too tired - that's just going to lead to disaster.
Steve Hall 1 year ago
If your child behaves at home during mealtime, great. If your child doesn't behave during meals, keep the child at home.
BriLikeTheCheese 1 year ago
this isn’t saying that kids aren’t allowed to be fussy or a bit “bad”, rather it’s rewarding kids who show maturity and are well-behaved. this is great!
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