Restaurant Baby Tax

Came across this today and wanted to post for you all to read,

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/2 ... lp00000003

and now discuss.

Richard

sorry, i'm all about the circle of life and all that crap, but I am not down with breast feeding your child in a restaurant. just another example of parents thinking that they are entitled to annoy and offend anyone, anywhere at any time. and before you ask,no i don't think they're cute and yes they are bothering me.

Wy do you assume she had her breasts in full view of people? There are so many discreet covers now, you never know. I think they put a tax on old geezers who get in my way at the store and clog up the aisles. there's nothing good that will come of this discussion.

The point of the article was that a surcharge had been charged for bringing a non-purchasing/minimal purchasing infant to the restaurant ( they weren't being charged for breastfeeding.)

My thoughts: an unannounced surcharge for anything should never happen in a restaurant. Regarding charging for infants/toddlers, feel free to do so, but it should be posted prominently upon entering the restaurant. It's your restaurant so you can do that, but expect a significant drop in traffic from families and people who think that policy is ridiculous ( me for one). If the argument is that they are "taking up space", then a similiar charge should be levied on seeing eye dogs, overweight patrons and anyone who orders less than an announced minimum. If you want a baby -free environment, then post a policy for no infants/toddlers- that's your right at your place.

Deb

Ditto what Deb said.

Folks, beware of trolls...just sayin'

Bill,

Fully expect the trolls to come out, but I actually think this is a reasonable post and worthy of discussion. Llike the "Is Jeff Ruby entitled to kick OJ Simpson out of his restaurant" conversation several years back.Trolls can always be ignored.

Deb

The Trolls have their own restaurant now. No need for them to clutter up other threads.

I dined with a group at Mesa Grill in Vegas, and upon making the reservation, we were informed that there was a minimum of seventy five dollars spending per person ordering from the menu (pre-fix was optional if every person at the table agreed to it, but we didn't). And absolutely NO separate checks, no exceptions. Handled up front at the time of making the reservation, no problem. Sprung from the check presenter? Never.

A $5 charge for a six week old infant is disgusting, though. They should drop out of hospitality and form an insurance agency.

They should drop out of hospitality and form an insurance agency.

Yeah, this.

(did you get my text this morning?)

They should drop out of hospitality and form an insurance agency.

Yeah, this.

(did you get my text this morning?)

Whaa??? No! My phone's been bugging out. What'd it say? Resend?

They should drop out of hospitality and form an insurance agency.

Yeah, this.

(did you get my text this morning?)

Whaa??? No! My phone's been bugging out. What'd it say? Resend?

I resent

I see the troll in this thread can't read...

I'd be livid if someone charged me $5 to bring my 4 month old into a restaurant. He usually just sleeps, if he's awake we keep him quiet and entertained. I'm the parent that usually takes most of my meal to go so that he doesn't get too fussy and annoy anyone, so if anything they should thank me for turning a table super fast.

I can understand them charging a plate fee for the toddler that shares off mom's plate, but only if they are adding in a little extra...though most places serve large enough portions and toddlers eat so little, I don't know why they'd even need to do that!

They should drop out of hospitality and form an insurance agency.

Best line of the week, Jackie!

Deb

I will repeat an old story and restaurant owners can take away whatever they want from it. 14 years ago the whole extended family was at an Italian restaurant in Mainz. My second child was just a baby and the then wife was nursing him under the blankie. He still got a bit cranky and was starting to cry. Owner comes out, surveys the scene, whistles to the barman and says something quickly in Italian. Barman disappears in the kitchen and comes out a minute later with a cook, dirty apron and all.

The cook proceeds sit down and croon a beautiful Italian lullaby to my nursing wife and cranky baby who drifted off in short order. Lessons: 1) I really admire the way Italians are with bambinos and 2) even though the food is only really average at that restaurant, I have been going there consistently for the last 14 years anytime I'm in the neighborhood. My kids are all older now, but I will never, ever forget that night and that particular restaurant owner has himself a life-long patron.