Do diners have a right to quiet? (From The Argus)

Do diners have a right to quiet?

1:02pm Wednesday 29th June 2011 in Blogs By Alice Wright - Reluctant Housewife

GIMME A BOTTLE: Wine or milk would do...

Crying babies cause us all anguish, whether they belong to us or not. In a waiting room, a shop, an aeroplane – the appearance of a red-faced little squealer has us all wincing and grimacing. But in a quiet restaurant it can just about tip us over the edge, surely this is the one place you can be free from the wailing of your offspring or anyone else’s? Nothing causes more debate amongst the socialising classes than the presence of children and babies in traditional ‘adults only’ environments such as pubs and restaurants.

A man was jailed this week for smashing a wine bottle over the head of a fellow diner at a London Indian restaurant for suggesting that he took his crying 7-month-old baby home to bed! Well if I had been in that restaurant I too would have been in danger of a bottle attack because I’d also have suggested that over half an hour of wailing was more than enough for anyone, little one included.

Now, I also have a small child and am well aware of the problems facing parents in hostile environments not set up for kids - no room for pushchairs, the unfriendly glances from childless couples and lets not get started on the breast-feeding in public debate… But I have always been well aware of my responsibilities - to myself, my child and the public. I’ve both complained about a noisy child and taken my own noisy child outside. I believe only subject others to what you would feel acceptable if you were in their position. And there is certainly no need to be aggressive to anyone who complains about the cries that you yourself might find so endearing and healthy.

So many parents try to carry on their lives as normal after labour day, carrying on with the drinking, dining out and socialising they did before little Johnny or Ella came on the scene. I used to love frequenting cocktail bars, hotel bars, café bars, just bars in general really, before I had my son and I still do today when I get the chance, but I would not dream of taking him with me. I’m not sure he would get a lot of it and I’m damn sure my fellow drinkers wouldn’t either? Of course new parents don’t want to feel as if their lives are over and they can’t do things they previously enjoyed or be seen out in public, but the fact remains their lives have changed, therefore changes need to be made (even if its just investing in a good babysitter).

If we want a meal or a drink out with our son, (and I do believe it is important to get youngsters eating out early) my husband and I have a huge rota of all the local family-friendly pubs and restaurants in the area, there are loads of them and no one minds a bit of screaming or running around. If they did there would be little cause for complaint, unless of course the children were being badly behaved (which is a whole different ball game all together). There is however, cause for complaint if a quiet evening meal out with your loved one - which you too are paying for and have a right to enjoy - is ruined by a screaming baby who’d much rather be at home anyway. Just watch out who you complain to, maybe approach the manager as opposed to the angry looking diner with a wine bottle!

My favourite local kid friendly places to eat and drink (do you have any others to add?):