Earlier this summer, Mike Vuick, owner of the Monroeville, Pennsylvania, eatery McDain's, sent an email to its regular patrons, anouncing that, "beginning July 16, 2011, McDain's Restaurant will no longer admit children under six years of age. We feel that McDain's is not a place for young children. Their volume can't be controlled and many, many times, they have disturbed other customers."
McDain's isn't the first restaurant to ban children from its tables, but its owner's decision sparked a furious debate across the Internet, including on the Grandparents.com Facebook page, where we asked grandparents if they would patronize a restaurant that would not serve their grandkids. Here's what they had to say:
Yes, yes, yes! There are places where you can take your children and grandchildren, and there should be kid-free places, too. I love my grandchildren, and take them out to kid-friendly places at least once a week, but I also love a quiet evening out without them or any kid noise once in a while. — Ladonna
No, you wouldn't see me there, but we should be able to handle our kids in public. Children under 6 should be seen and not heard in public! — Debbie
I love my grandkids to no end, and they are extremely well behaved in public. But nothing ticks me off faster than going out for a nice evening and having to listen to bad behavior from other people's children. I would go to this place just BECAUSE they don't allow little ones. — Belinda
I used to wait tables and believe me,
having kids running around is dangerous to the servers. If you don't want to leave the kids at home, go somewhere kid-friendly. Don't spoil it for someone else by having your kids running around and talking loudly. —
Debbie
It depends on the restaurant. Ones with more upscale cuisine and decor are not suited for kids. When we have the smaller children with us, we dine at places suited for them. They know how to behave no matter where they are, but dining at restaurants that cater to kids makes the experience more pleasant for everyone at the table. — Deborah
| Would you eat at a restaurant that banned kids? |
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Yes; it would be my first choice 42.0%
It wouldn't affect my decision 32.0%
No; if my grandkids aren't welcome, I won't go 25.9%
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If my grandchildren aren't welcome, then I'm not either! —
Vivian
No! That is outrageous. What better medicine is there than the sounds of children laughing, playing, and, yes, even arguing? Unfortunately, not everyone shares my feelings. The bottom line: If you do NOT want the sounds of kids, eat somewhere else! — Judi
I love my grandchildren to pieces but there are times when I would like to go out to eat without the chatter of little ones. There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants. —
Christine
I would not visit a restaurant that banned children of any age. (And I have seen some pretty bad children older than 6!) — Patricia
To each his own. It is all about having the choice; I am sure there are adults who choose not to eat at Chuck E. Cheese! — Rhonda
This is not an anti-kid policy. It is an anti-irresponsible parents policy. As with most rules, those who aren't the problem are in a way being punished because of those who are. — AC
In the end, it's [the owner's] decision. But I have a granddaughter who happens to be 6, and I would not like to have to tell her, "I'm sorry, we can't take you in there." — Sue
I say leave the parents outside and let the kids in. Today's parents have no clue about manners. I am apalled by the public rudenss that is completely ignored by parents! — Debra
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