[honeychile]

In each case, it's the parenting that failed. If a child flips out in a restaurant, IMHO, the parent should scoop up said child and take them outside until they can behave. It happens, I've seen it happen. One wonderful father even had his son apologize to the people seated next to them - in a family restaurant. And there is no excuse for children to be running and screaming in ANY restaurant - even McDonald's! If a parent gives in to the behavior in one place, the kids only get confused as to when they may act up.

My favorite restaurant technique, though, belongs to a dear friend of mine. She has a friend who teaches "etiquette for young ladies and gentlemen". When a child becomes out of control, she whips out the friend's business card, gives it to the parent(s), and says, "Hope this helps!" in a friendly way. They get the idea very quickly.

As for flying, I always tease about "the mandatory crying baby" on each flight. I try very hard to realize that tiny ears may be hurting due to the take off and landing, yet when older children are bratty, and the parents refuse to do something about it, I will tell the flight attendant and tell her that she can point out the complaintant (me). That way, the airline isn't blamed, I am - and I couldn't care less about what undisciplined people think of me.

Seriously, the only decent flight anymore is the chartered airplane!