Quote:
Originally posted by Taualumna
How about kids who run around the restaurant and their parents aren't doing a thing about it? I don't like that. I also don't like it when parents take very, very young children to restaurants and these kids obviously don't want to be there, so they throw tantrums. I understand that there are some cultures where going out is a "family" thing, but in these cultures, kids are also better behaved. If the kids don't want to be there, then don't go to that place!
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I don't care if it's a family restaurant or not, it's NOT a zoo!! When I see a parent escort a troublesome child outside for a moment or two, I usually take the time to congratulate them on their parenting skills.
I was in a doctor's office once, and this kid kept running up and down the length of the waiting room, screaming. She finally got to me, and I put the flats of my hands on her shoulders and said, "Go sit down." She did. Her mother shot me dirty looks, but everyone else was giving me thumbs up or winks.
Part of being a child is learning how to be an adult - so few parents seem to realize that anymore!
As for the Alumnae thing, I don't have a problem with the actives not standing, BUT! If the elevator is broken, and I've just walked up 10 floors, offering me a seat and/or something cool to drink is only common courtesy. Not to me as an alumna, but to
anyone who is a visitor.
Edited to add: I'd love to see something other than handshaking as a courtesy. The last thing that I want is to shake the hand of someone who just sneezed into their palm!