Bringing your YT into a restaurant...do you or don't you?

[kionini]

Originally Posted by CouversMom

This is me. I know many don't agree with it, but I don't agree with the screaming children that I have to listen to in restaurants...

I love children, but it's true, some people let their kids run like little animals Once, a kid put his finger in my plate and asked "are you gonna it that?" I was shocked not much with the kid because I know they're curious, but with the parents who didn't even noticed the kid was gone from their table

[kionini]

Originally Posted by cslat1

Where I live you cannot take a dog inside a restaurant. We go to an outdoor cafe and even then she is on the opposite side of the wrought iron fence. I have her in a stroller when I plan to go out to eat. There are only a select number of stores in my area that will allow pets. I have taken Calleigh to TJ Maxx and Marshall's and no one seems to have a problem with it. I took her to Joann Fabrics once and was asked to leave. I couldn't believe it. I asked the manager why she couldn't stay and his answer was we have food....candy bars. Give me a break!

Candy bars have been know to carry pieces of rats and roaches

I was allowed in by the manager at JC Penny with my babies in the stroller, hb went to the men's dept with the stroller while I went to the home furnishings dept. I had my drapes and accessories picked out (had been looking at them on line for several weeks) and getting ready to buy when hb came back with the furkids and one of the sales persons saw what was inside the stroller.
She said she had thought there were 'babies' and had a problem with them being 'dogs' and asked us to leave our pups in the car if we wanted to continue shopping
I don't know if they work on commission, but I decided not to buy my drapes or accessories there. My mom used to say "the owner of the pot worries less than the one who is stirring the contents." She should have checked with management or kept her dislike of dogs to herself and would have made a good sale in the process
I still get that look of 'what do you think you're doing' from sales people from time to time, so I check with management first and let the sales people dwell in their misery all by themselves

[kionini]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

I would just have to eat all my meals in my hotel room away from all that dog hair. My weak tummy would revolt the moment I walked into a restaurant with food on the table and saw a Saint Bernard sitting nearby. I couldn't eat a bite. It would definitely be a way to keep my girlish figure!!!! I could get down to a 0 in a week!

And here I am trying to shed a few pounds with a mere salad when Europe is the answer

[kionini]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

No, not usually. I will almost always try to find a place where I can sit outside, or I will order out and sit in the car, or in a park. But one time, I was on vacation, had Armani, it was freezing out, so I have to admit I snuck him into Panera- I sat his carrier on the floor and threw my coat over it. I know technically it was wrong, but no one can convince me I really caused any type of injury to someone else. I am allergic to kids and they are still allowed in restaurants. I wouldn't do it on a regular basis mostly because it is too stressful for me worry that they may bark and why make them sit in the bag for all the time anyway if they don't have to?

"allergic to kids and they're still allowed in restaurants"

I'm glad you did what you did to keep your baby from freezing

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by kionini

Once, a kid put his finger in my plate and asked "are you gonna it(eat) that?" I was shocked not much with the kid because I know they're curious, but with the parents who didn't even noticed the kid was gone from their table

Oh wow!

My adult kids (18,20) once inquired about how they were when they were younger, after seeing kids running lose around a restaurant, playing between tables of patrons eating. My daughter said, "did we behave like that when we were young?" My son replied, "can you imagine us behaving like that with Mum? Can you imagine our kids ever behaving like that with Mum?" She replied, "once!" and they both started laughing, realizing how ridiculous the initial question was.

I personally think people raise their kids (both fur & kid) to the level they find acceptable. I'm readily admit, I'm strict on both accounts.

[bWY39]

Opinions are like a fundamental orifice....we all have one......for me, taking any animal dog , cat or otherwise, into a restaurant is just not on and way out of order.
I have no objection to them being outside in say a garden restaurant that is acceptable in all respects but indoors....I think not.

As far as children are concerned the only time this would go anywhere near upsetting me is late at night for children under the age of say seven years old or if the children were allowed to run freely around the restaurant shouting and screaming. Otherwise, I welcome children and love to see them enjoying themselves.

[kionini]

Originally Posted by AlicetheYorkie

Just to touch on the "kid" topic with my 2 cents - I have 1 child any will only have one because parenthood has proven to be the hardest, most stressfull job in the WORLD and I know I'm not cut out to have more than one.

The only restaurants I've taken him too are "family friendly" ones such as Friendly's or Denny's or McDonalds or a pizza place BUT if you are in one of those type of restaurants, I really don't think it's fair at all to scrutinize someone's parenting. Yes, sometimes it's best to remove the child until the tantrum is over, it teaches them that if they behave inapropriatly, they don't get to enjoy the experience and will have to go to the car.

The only thing I want to touch on here is, please don't give ugly stares to parents of a kid who is loud if you are in a "family friendly" restaurant, I 100% guarantee that parent is stressed and embarassed and not enjoying their meal, but the only way to teach a child to behave in public is to take them out in public. Some people have different parenting styles and choose to ignore bad behavior. That's not what I do, but I don't think anyone should ever look down on the way someone chooses to parent, especially if you don't have kids and don't understand. Even the most well behaved child has bad days and even when they're not, they are just energetic and sometimes loud, they're kids, it's how they are. If you want a quiet dinner without any children just being children, go to a fancier restaurant. The only thing I really don't appreciate is when people take their kids to a restaurant and they're constantly coughing or have a runny nose or whatever. That I suppose, goes along with the dog thing too though. People have a right to eat in a clean environment. I get upset over someone with a cold eating in the same place I am way than I would a tiny dog in a carrier or a loud child.

I'll admit to not really being a "kid person" (my own drives me nuts most days ) but I do respect the fact that kids will be kids and we were ALL kids once and it's just not possible for them to behave like adults.

If you snuck your dog into a restaurant and one of those mothers had a "well behaved" child in there who was highly allergic to dogs, would that turn the tables at all????

I agree with you, kids are just kids and we shouldn't expect them to act as adults Let me rephrase that; Behave as well mannered adults. I don't have human kids of my own, but I have helped raised a couple and have babysat for my family since I was a kid myself----Come to think of it, maybe that was the reason I took birth control sooooooo very seriously, I must have been turned off to the mommy thing since very young (???)

It is the toughest job you'll ever have, the most unappreciated and for which, sadly or fortunately, you WILL be judged even after you're gone I totally understand. Kids have THEIR OWN personality and some are very strong willed, even as infants. I do try to remember that parenting skills differ and no matter how obnoxious the kid is, I try to think about what's going on at home that he/she feels he/she needs to act out in public. Kids, and us humans, for that matter, are so complex. Some act out because you hug them too much, others because you didn't hug them enough

Whatever it is, I try not to get frustrated when they do something I don't agree with (like kicking the back of my seat on the plane, at the movies, etc.) because they are just kids and seeing their eyes water would tear me apart, especially if they get punished because of me. So I basically understand the parents and the kid. Well, generally

Some parents are at fault, unfortunately, they are failing at the most important task. Very few are doing it on purpose, I think, but most really do try to raise them well. I just wish them well You would get no weird looks from me, on the contrary, I applaud your efforts---it's not easy.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by kionini

And here I am trying to shed a few pounds with a mere salad when Europe is the answer

Yep. That will keep me skinny-minnie for life.

[bWY39]

Very well said indeed I applaud you

[Elizabet]

We live in Europe and I take Muggsy EVERWHERE. Grocery stores, drug stores, cafes whatever. Muggsy lays down on my lap and sleeps at cafes. No one carea, I've never even gotten a dirty look. Most of the time people think he's cute and ask about him. The first few times I was a little uptight (I AM American after all...) about it but now I don't even give it a second thought. Everyone is either positive or indifferent.

We're going home this summer to visit for a few months and I'm getting a little bummed thinking about American and all the rules. As far as Muggsy is concerned - otherwise I can't wait to be home. :-)

[kionini]

Originally Posted by KazzyK810

Oh wow!

My adult kids (18,20) once inquired about how they were when they were younger, after seeing kids running lose around a restaurant, playing between tables of patrons eating. My daughter said, "did we behave like that when we were young?" My son replied, "can you imagine us behaving like that with Mum? Can you imagine our kids ever behaving like that with Mum?" She replied, "once!" and they both started laughing, realizing how ridiculous the initial question was.

I personally think people raise their kids (both fur & kid) to the level they find acceptable. I'm readily admit, I'm strict on both accounts.

this reminded me of my brother telling his wife a story of us when we were kids. At one point my sister and I looked at each other and said "not with our mom---oh, no, not possible." I see my mom in me, at times it's shocking. I hear the same words come out of my mouth to where I've come to accept that (oh, Lord) I HAVE become my mother.

Strict mom, yes, definitely I had one. In fact, my entire family with the exeption of one here and one there. But, you know? I appreciate it so much and I'm so glad most of my family is following the old school when raising their kids---respect you elders, do not damage other people's property, yes ma'am' , no sir, etc. It's just beautiful when kids are respectful and we respond so warmly to it, it makes their life a lot more fun, I think, and in the long run it helps them

I have to admit, I'm strict with my family, especially the younger ones. They know better than to raise their voice at me or come in late when they're here. I've even told them that they WILL NOT go the wrong path on my watch, over my dead and cold body, etc. But with my furkids....I'm a bit more relaxed...well, okay, they get away with a lot

[QuickSilver]

I'll admit, I've taken Thor in a bag to some decent restaurants. Usually it's because I have a lunch date, and want to take Thor to the park afterwards. He's always in his stealth carrier. I wouldn't take him just for "company".

I've noticed over the years that he's gotten less tolerant of being in his bag. I would think it would be the other way around, but maybe he's getting more crotchety with age. In any case, if he stops laying the bag quietly, I will have to stop taking him places.

I once even took him to a movie theater (I KNOW), but I was terrified he would bark the whole time. There was a cartoon alligator in one of the previews, and he let out a little growl. I sat in fear for the next 90 minutes.

[katienme2002]

Originally Posted by kionini

I agree with you, kids are just kids and we shouldn't expect them to act as adults Let me rephrase that; Behave as well mannered adults. I don't have human kids of my own, but I have helped raised a couple and have babysat for my family since I was a kid myself----Come to think of it, maybe that was the reason I took birth control sooooooo very seriously, I must have been turned off to the mommy thing since very young (???)

It is the toughest job you'll ever have, the most unappreciated and for which, sadly or fortunately, you WILL be judged even after you're gone I totally understand. Kids have THEIR OWN personality and some are very strong willed, even as infants. I do try to remember that parenting skills differ and no matter how obnoxious the kid is, I try to think about what's going on at home that he/she feels he/she needs to act out in public. Kids, and us humans, for that matter, are so complex. Some act out because you hug them too much, others because you didn't hug them enough

Whatever it is, I try not to get frustrated when they do something I don't agree with (like kicking the back of my seat on the plane, at the movies, etc.) because they are just kids and seeing their eyes water would tear me apart, especially if they get punished because of me. So I basically understand the parents and the kid. Well, generally

Some parents are at fault, unfortunately, they are failing at the most important task. Very few are doing it on purpose, I think, but most really do try to raise them well. I just wish them well You would get no weird looks from me, on the contrary, I applaud your efforts---it's not easy.

awesome posting!

[katienme2002]

I wanted to add that I love my daughter dearly (she is almost 9) but it really is the hardest job in the world. IMO...I wouldnt trade her for anything in the world, but I dont want any more kids..lol..I dont know if its because I cant handle it, or I am too selfish, I just know that I cannot do it again..lol..This girl keeps me on my toes to say the least, I try to be mindful of what she sees and hears on t.v. or anywhere, and then she learns the crap at school. Sometimes I am at my wits end..lol..Its so much easier with dogs..lol..My parents stay on my case about having more kids, and I tell them the baby factory is CLOSED..lol..They dont get it, but I honestly 100 percent know that most of the time I feel like I am losing my mind..lol..

[ArmaniMan]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I once even took him to a movie theater (I KNOW), but I was terrified he would bark the whole time. There was a cartoon alligator in one of the previews, and he let out a little growl. I sat in fear for the next 90 minutes.

omg! same thing happened to me- I took Armani to a movie and I don't even remember the movie I was so scared the whole time- never did that again.