Should children be allowed in places traditionally marketed to adults?
You walk into a restaurant and there’s a toddler at the bar.
You’re at your regular nail appointment and there’s a couple tweens in the pedicure chairs.
You and your friends go on a winery tour and there’s a couple with a preteen.
You and your BFF go to a day spa and there are teenagers in the lounge.
Have any of these situations happened to you? What do you do?
Kids at Restaurants
Recently an Arby’s in Minnesota had to remove a sign that said “only well-behaved children who can keep the food on their trays and their bottoms on the seats are welcome. If you can’t do this, you will be asked to leave. Thanks.”
After the backlash from parents, Arby’s issued a statement that said in part “We recognize the language on this sign was insensitive. We removed it quickly, and have disciplined the manager and team working at the restaurant. It does not reflect our company values and the family friendly environment we aim to provide in all of our restaurants.”
Granted this in an Arby’s, a fast food restaurant, not a Michelin starred restaurant BUT is it acceptable for kids to misbehave, not to keep their food on their trays and bottoms in their seats? How do we know that this particular restaurant hasn’t had an ongoing problem with children disrupting the dining experience for other patrons.
Tanya Enberg, in an article for Today’s Parent titled “Why Fancy Restaurants Should Ban Kids” writes “Restaurant owners are in the business of selling food, drinks and experience. They should be able to set the tone, ambience and style of their own establishment to cater to a specific crowd. If they want to create a peaceful and sophisticated setting for grown ups to gather free from Paw Patrol and cheese bunnies, they should be able to place an age restriction without fear of revolt. It’s not as if there is a shortage of eateries more than happy to serve pint sized patrons. So why should we balk about a few off-limit venues? Seriously, we should be applauding it. So go on and relax…childfree. Chew your food slowly. Order the good wine without the whine. Splurge on dessert. The thing is your might actually enjoy it.”
Thank you Tanya! By the way, Tanya is a mom.
What about self care settings like spas and salons?
Day spas generally have age restrictions, such as you must be 18 or older for massages or body treatments, 16 or older for facials with parental consent. Many allow minors under 16 to have nail services performed but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian during their service. HIgh end salons also have restrictions on minors requiring parental consent and/or attendance. Honestly, if I’ve set aside time and extra money to go to a day sap for rest, rejuvenation and relaxation or pay $300 for a haircut, I don’t want a 12 year old and their parent in the chair next to me, no matter how well behaved they may be. I say take your tiny tikes to to the local salon, where tranquilly isn’t necessarily a priority.
Let’s talk alcohol… breweries, wineries and other places that serve spirits
In February 2018, the New York Post ran a story titled “Baby Birthday Parties Have Infested Brooklyn’s Bar Scene.” Apparently kid’s birthday parties are a big draw for bars and breweries. According to the article, a kid’s party at a bar is cheaper than renting space at a kid friendly spot, fun for parents who get to have a beer with their friends, and less cramped than inviting guests over to their homes. Some place have set limits on these types of parties; time restrictions, no strollers blocking the path of other customers, no changing diapers outside the bathroom, and you can’t leave your kids unattended. But, what if I’m meeting a friend for a mid-day drink? Now I’m surrounded by crawling, crying toddlers and parents who are too tipsy to pay attention to they kid’s imminent injury when they run into my bar stool. There’s a fine line between making a bar kid friendly and alienating childfree customers. I don’t think these kids (nor their parents) would like it if I showed up at the local indoor bounce house/inflatables/trampoline park with my group of adult friends and took over. I think I will stick to the bars and breweries with breakable things and sharp objects.
Try to complain about the kid at the table next you blasting their iPad or the teenagers talking loud in the spa lounge or god forbid at the bar where the group of party guests are throwing fries at each other. The Mommy Mafia will come for you! And because the establishment you’re in doesn’t want to piss them off, you’ll have to adjust your attitude and expectations. Who is the Mommy Mafia? (Check out episode 2). Why is there always a backlash when kids are not included.
What do you think about kids in places traditionally marketed to adults?