Palmetto Proving Grounds

At a restaurant in Mauldin

Though I feel for the parents to some degree, I know what you mean. I feel for them b/c I've been embarrassed enough from my own kids to have to get up and leave on more than one occasion. But because I had the common courtesy to try to quiet my kids and then leave when it was obvious they weren't going to comply (I have two within 20 months of each other that could be hard to handle when they double-teamed us), I also feel for you and the other patrons who were trying to enjoy their dinner.

It can be a hard thing to try to have a normal life with small children, but if you're more into your beer than your toddler, something is wrong and you should have this pointed out to you. That makes me wonder what life will be like as these kids get older and it becomes more and more inconvenient to have to listen to them. I try not to be too judgmental about people whose situations I know nothing of, but neglecting children is a bit of a hot button for me (and I consider letting them cry out loud while you nurse a beer to be neglectful).

a nice place or somewhere like Applebees?

I think he's trying to get a feel for the atmosphere...I have a small child (13 months) and we will not take her to "fancy" places such as City Range, Ruth's Chris, etc...but places like Zaxby's, Pizza Inn, etc we do take her with us...not sure about Applebee's as we didn't frequent that establishment even before she was born. JMHO

You bashing Applebees?

My point is that the nicer the place the less children. I hate being disturbed at dinner but also you get what you pay for. I don't take my kids to nice restaurants but I'll drag them to a meat and three in a second. Understand your frustration. People don't give a crap anymore.

That's been my pet peeve for a few decades.

That ticks me off also. I would have said something. I have raised 4 kids. Now 26, 24 and 15. I never ever let that happen. My kids were well behaved at all ages. But when they did cry, we went to the restroom or outside. If it was a baby that just couldn't get sacrificed...we boxed up and left. Inconsiderate parents.

Yours and mine both, well I also can't stand to see people not yield to the right for Emergency vehicles.

I'm not going to upset the apple cart with the kids in a restaurant, as I have 3 kids, and for the most part they behave pretty well, but occasionally they will have their issues. We typically just try and wrap things up as quickly as possible and get out of the restaurant when an episode starts. I agree its really about people in general have no courtesy towards others now a days.

I think there may be one exception to the restaurant noise level/behavior thing, Mexican restaurants. We have gone on Friday nights with other families after ball practice. Things probably get out of hand when three or four families of 4 or 5 get together with kids and parents etc, but a Mexican restaurant always seems like they want a party atmosphere anyway.

I am sympathetic to your situation. I have an 8 and 10 year old now. We have always disciplined our kids accordingly or just left if need be. After doing our diligence when they were babies and toddlers if gives me the red-ass now when parents just turn the other cheek.

Never really a problem at Saluda's but I have told a couple people they have to quiet their baby or leave. I was really nice about it, trust me I know how hard it is to keep my kids quiet, but you can't let one person ruin everybody elses experience. It happens a little more often at Stonefire and they know it's okay to tell the person they can't stay in an extreme situation. I'd rather lose that one person or family than everybody else in the restaurant thinks the place is loud or too noisy and doesn't come back.