Kids in coffee shops - yay or nay

Society shows leeway to children by giving planning permission for family restaurants.

Op,

I brought my then-4-year-old son into the ladies for a wee in the Kilkenny Shop (a bit highbrow maybe). We had eaten lunch and were about to leave, but the bladders needed to be emptied. As we were leaving the Ladies through the two sets of swing doors, an elderly woman was on the way in. My son actually held one of the doors open for her, to which she stated "that child should not be in here". I was so shocked I could not say a word and just moved on. My next reaction was hurt and upset so I gathered my stuff and left pronto before we had to see her again. My point here is that some people are just going to piss you off for no good reason and life is full of these scenarios. Hand on my heart, I don't see what leg she had to stand on - and so I just had to take it that day. Some days are like that ... Most people are reasonable about other people's kids - in general - and then you meet the likes of that oul bag!

"crotch fruit" 😆 These 'fruits' are literally their parents most treasured things in life. Their reason for being ... 🤷‍♂️

You have used the term "crotch fruit" twice. It really is an incredibly stupid term. I would rather put up with loud children than an adult who can refer to kids like that.

I really appreciate that.

Are they wrong though?

We have only the OPs version of events and a parent is naturally biased towards their offspring. The fact they have taken this on here shows that they need reassurance against doubts of their own tolerance of their children's behaviour in mixed settings.

An already mindful and considerate parent, or an careless parent wouldn't be seeking feedback.

If the silence of a person reading distresses you but screaming children in a cafe doesn't then just admit that you have no problem with parents treating every shared space as an extension of their kids creche or romper room.

Cafe's are not romper rooms. Play grounds exist for a specific purpose.

Costa are building nursing homes?😶

There is no comparison between an infant's full throated primal screech and a coffee grinder.

The average baby's cry has been observed at 130 decibels, the average coffee grinder is 76 decibels.

Sounds above 86 decibels will impair hearing over time. In conclusion many parents how think their spawn make acceptable levels of noise may be already suffering hearing loss.

In this post, it is now 'spawn'. You are making your general thoughts about children very clear.

Once the kids are under control, not roaring and not legging it about the place coming up to me and the parents saying ah isn’t that cute I’m fine with it.

Same as people who let dogs off leashes in public. It’s not cute that your dog is darting toward me.

And I don’t care how friendly you say it is. If it comes up to me I will kick it. Should be the same with randoms children.

And for what it’s worth I do bring my kids to cafes and restaurants but if they kick up we leave as it’s not fair on others.

Some people bring their kids to the pub for Sunday dinner and let them run around the pub for a few hours. Great parenting.

There's a pub in Beaumont that's great for grumpy **** that hate kids being around, the manager is the king of hating on kids.

The problem is many parents consider the high decibel levels they've become inured to as a few noises, but to everyone else it can be highly uncomfortable, be it they reading quietly, or trying to chat with friends without having to raise their voices to be heard above the screeching.

So what you tell us was a few noises was enough to create a reaction from separate tables.

There are ongoing studies examining the hearing damage endured by parents so I won't be surprised if more sound proofed kiddy containment rooms become more popular in cafes.

That's really down to the premises in question. I have mixed view on pubs that attempt to be all things to all people. Is it a wateringhole with all the drunken shenanigans that go with it or a family friendly part restaurant.

Same sort of goes for coffee shops. Up to the counter with yer €4.50 coffee and ask for a refund due to the activities of the other patrons. Up to the premises if they want to refund you or eject the problem.

I get that coffee shops aren't fine dining but with drinks costing half a carvery dinner it's sort of a luxury experience.

I'm coming at this from having been a barman, you'd often have people sitting having meals a couple of yards from lads drinking and speaking foully. Yer diner complains, what can ya say to the lads, it's a pub but I'm charging yer man €30 for his steak.

Kicking a dog isn't cool, its a bad sign of a person who isn't kind to animals.

well done, award for dumbest post of the day goes to you.

Anyone who makes snide comments on the side without addressing you directly is a pr!ck irrespective of what your kids were doing.

I'm glad you called them out on it.

So say it to the parents instead of childish snide comments

Who said anything about kids screaming? The guy is a grouch, gives out to kids for getting off their seats for a minute.

This place has "The Best Carvery in Ireland" (untrue) so there's food served and families eating.