The Chicago Traveler

On Good Behavior

by Matt B on September 10th, 2008

Last week, I read an article at the MenuPages Blog on the behavior of adults reacting to the behavior of kids in restaurants:

Here’s the thing. Kid-related eye-rolling is acceptable only when:
1) They’re crying and their parents are calmly eating/chatting/cellphoning
2) They’re tearing up the joint while their parents smile proudly
3) Their parent(s) run you off the sidewalk with immense strollers
3) There’re so many of them you lose count

Now, I'm not a parent, but I did grow up with two little brothers and have done more than my fair share of babysitting. I know what a loud, uncontrollable irritation kids can be. And when that happens, it is time for you, as an adult, to take charge of the situation.

I have, unfortunately, run into all of these situations here in Chicago. I've hurriedly finished a meal because I didn't want to suffer the oncoming migraine due a child's constant crying or screaming. Yes, I understand, kids will do what they do, but if the child cannot be calmed down, there is no reason why the rest of us should suffer. That is the time to take the child out of the situation and retreat to a washroom or outside until he or she has been placated.

Once, while eating at a restaurant not far from my old apartment, a little boy who had been allowed to wander about the place became fascinated with the dangling chain of my wallet. He began swatting at it and pulling on it, until I tucked it away, when he pouted and stamped his feet a bit. Of course, either the parents weren't paying attention or they just didn't care. What does one do in a situation like that? I just came to eat my dinner in peace, not practice my child-rearing skills or admonish strangers on the lack of theirs.

However, as Helen Rosner, the author of the article, noted, not all children are rowdy, misbehaving brats. An 'innocent until proven guilty' approach should be taken. After all, there is a certain delight in watching a young one enjoy and explore new flavors. As long as they do it with 'inside voices.'

For a list of kid-friendly activities and family-oriented businesses, check out these entries all tagged 'Family-Oriented.'

Photo credit: (c/o Flickr) | PETE |

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