Breeder Rant du Jour
What was supposed to be a nice, birthday dinner at an upscale Italian restaurant turned out to be an evening with heathens. Let me paint the picture for you. My husband had decided to take me out to one of my favorite restaurants downtown as a birthday treat. I love this restaurant not only because the food and atmosphere are divine, but also because it is not very “family friendly” if you get my drift. Let’s put it this way, they don’t even have a kids menu and instead of handing out crayons when they seat you, it’s a wine list.
At the time we were seated, there were the usual couples and business-types seated around us enjoying their conversations (as most adults do when not in the presence of children). However, as our drinks and appetizer were being delivered, in strolls a couple with two small children carrying Happy Meals (hey, I can’t make this stuff up). OF COURSE, the were seated directly behind me. As I usually do when to whiny, sniffling brats are within earshot, I winced and automatically tensed up. Thank heavens for that pomegranate martini I ordered.
Now, I realize that some people will probably try to jump in and say “My children are perfectly well behaved when we go out!” Yes, I realize some are, but these weren’t. Far from it. Throughout the course of the evening, they proceeded to scream, whine, throw tantrums (and silverware), stand up in their chairs and shout, you name it.
Did their parents ever once look away from their conversation in any attempt to discipline them? Of course not. Did they look the least bit embarrassed by their children’s behavior? Of course not. They gave off the common “breeder vibe” of “If you don’t like the way our kids act, that’s your problem.” No ma’am! That’s your problem and your fault that they act that way. Not only do they know they can get away with bloody murder in a public place (who knows what goes on at home), but they shouldn’t be in a restaurant like this anyway. You want to go out to eat with your kids? That’s fine, but choose somewhere “family friendly” (in this child-centered world, there’s plenty of options) like Shoney’s. If you have to bring in Happy Meals (which I’m actually shocked this restaurant allowed) that should be a hint that your children don’t belong here. If you want to eat here, that’s fine too. That’s what babysitters are for. Go bribe find one. I don’t want to have to listen to squalling over my veal marsala (hint, hint…that’s one of the many reasons I’m not having kids of my own).
Needless to say, we got dessert to-go.
June 27, 2007 at 11:07 pm
Good God Almighty what a bunch of bullshit. WHY do breeders INSIST on bringing their little hellions to upscale restaurants. They can’t possibly ENJOY their meal there anyway with the kids running amok, so what’s the point? To make everyone else miserable just because they are?
Selfish bastards.
June 28, 2007 at 12:24 pm
The breeders probably did enjoy themselves because they were ignoring the brats. They’re obviously used to the little snots behavior.
When I go to a nice restaurant, I think it’s reasonable not to be disturbed by things like ringing cell-phones, whiny children, loud laughers, etc. And if things that are disturbances are occurring, it’s not out-of-line to think that restaurant staff would do something about it. After all, they should be concerned about the comfort of all their diners. Personally, when a restaurant is willing to stand up against the boorish, self-centered, and generally obnoxious, I’m more likely to want to return.
Now, when I go to somewhere like McDonald’s I know I can’t expect the same thing. And that’s fine.
Too bad you’re evening had to be cut short because of stupid people.
June 26, 2009 at 1:07 am
Hey! I am a “breeder” but I wholeheartedly agree! This kind of behaviour drives me nuts. I have three kids and take them to plenty of family friendly restaurants (where I expect them to remain seated, use table manners and generally behave in a civilised fashion.) I would NEVER take them somewhere like the restaurant you described. When I manage to escape for a night and am childfree, I like to enjoy a civilised meal with my partner or friends. I don’t want to be disturbed by kids either. I honestly think parents who behave like this should be made aware of just how selfish and inconsiderate they are being to others.
September 1, 2009 at 4:53 am
Ohmigod…I just remembered an incident during the very last time I went inside a McDonald’s…I was waiting in line in front of a Hispanic woman with umpteen kids, one in a stroller. She ordered many large drinks, all placed on a tray, and of course she dropped the whole tray on the baby in the stroller. Several people went to help her, and she didn’t give a word of thanks. The little brat proceeded to wail up a shitstorm, of course.
After that, I always went to the drive-thru. I can’t help it, I just love their filet-o-fishes and fries. But now when I go to a fast-food restaurant, which isn’t very often, I always go to the drive-thru. And hope I don’t get stuck behind a breeder in a huge SUV ordering a hundred bucks worth of food.
Oh, one more thing while I’m ranting. I create very little trash, seldomly need to wash clothes so I’m saving water, and don’t stink up the landfills with smelly, filthy diapers. What parent can say that?
Christy