Finally! A place where patrons can dine in peace, or at least without screaming kids. The Olde Salty restaurant in Carolina Beach, North Carolina has put up signs declaring “Screaming Children Will NOT Be Tolerated!” And apparently it’s been a boon to the establishment; business has picked up since the signs have been in place. Imagine that. Business has increased with the lack of screaming of kids. Who would have thunk it? I’m honestly surprised that more restaurants haven’t done this. Let’s be real, there’s not much worse than trying to enjoy your dinner (or lunch or breakfast) with kids constantly screaming. I’ve had a few unpleasant experiences with this, as I’m sure most of you have, too. If a restaurant in my area had the balls to put signs up like these I’d be more than willing to give them my business.
Of course, even though the majority of people are in favor this (as the poll clearly shows – 93% in favor at the time of this writing), some people still think we’d like to dine along with their screaming kids. One idiot in particular went so far as to say she believes the sign is illegal. Come again? Illegal? Whatever. She has an autistic child and claims that the restaurant is now discriminating against special-needs kids. She said, “I think she (the owner) needs to meet some of these kids, and I think she needs to see that they are awesome. Please don’t shut them out because they don’t fit in the perfect box everyone wants them in.” Ummm, they might be “awesome” but if they’re screaming they have no business being in the restaurant. It’s quite simple. And people don’t expect these kids to fit in a perfect box, but if they’re screaming, once again they don’t belong in a restaurant. I don’t care if the kid is a special-needs kid or not. Screaming children have no place in restaurants. Most of us would just like to enjoy our meal in peace.
Oh, and to clarify for idiots like the one mentioned above – the restaurant does not kick screaming kids out to the curb. They do, however, ask the parents to take the children outside until they’ve quieted down. That’s what responsible parents would do anyway, so this really shouldn’t be a big deal (unless you’re a deadbeat).
Rants 