There's a little Mexican place in my town that I frequent. It's probably a couple notches higher on the quality and atmosphere scale than, say, a Don Pablos or similar chain restaurant.
Several months ago I was in there for lunch. (bill came out to somewhere around $20 with appetizer, main course and tip) A couple brought in two kids with them, around age 10 - 12. The one kid was very well-behaved (downright refreshing, compared to some of the little horrors I've seen in restaurants, movie theatres, etc.) but the other kid I think had Tourettes or something similar.
Every minute or two he would yell "bah!" or something to that effect. Involuntary, as far as I could tell. The folks with him - couldn't tell if they were parents, caretakers or something else - tried to get him to settle down when he got excessively loud, but the noise continued the entire time I was there.
I didn't say anything (I love this restaurant, and wouldn't start any shit with them... plus I dated a woman whose son was autistic, so I can certainly understand having patience with people who have any sort of disability) and I don't believe any other customers said anything.
The question is - would you consider these people to be sucky for bringing a "disruptive" child (albeit not doing so on purpose) to a decent restaurant? I've also been to a movie theatre where a fellow brought in a guy in a wheelchair who was considerably louder than the aforementioned 12 year old. (fortunately it was a rather loud action movie, so the music/sound effects pretty much drowned him out) I realize handicapped/disabled people should have every opportunity to be out in public like everyone else... but at what point does it become sucky behaviour?
(I've since started wearing my Creative Zen to restaurants when I'm by myself, anyway, to filter everyone else out)
Interested to hear opinions.
An Haddock
Several months ago I was in there for lunch. (bill came out to somewhere around $20 with appetizer, main course and tip) A couple brought in two kids with them, around age 10 - 12. The one kid was very well-behaved (downright refreshing, compared to some of the little horrors I've seen in restaurants, movie theatres, etc.) but the other kid I think had Tourettes or something similar.
Every minute or two he would yell "bah!" or something to that effect. Involuntary, as far as I could tell. The folks with him - couldn't tell if they were parents, caretakers or something else - tried to get him to settle down when he got excessively loud, but the noise continued the entire time I was there.
I didn't say anything (I love this restaurant, and wouldn't start any shit with them... plus I dated a woman whose son was autistic, so I can certainly understand having patience with people who have any sort of disability) and I don't believe any other customers said anything.
The question is - would you consider these people to be sucky for bringing a "disruptive" child (albeit not doing so on purpose) to a decent restaurant? I've also been to a movie theatre where a fellow brought in a guy in a wheelchair who was considerably louder than the aforementioned 12 year old. (fortunately it was a rather loud action movie, so the music/sound effects pretty much drowned him out) I realize handicapped/disabled people should have every opportunity to be out in public like everyone else... but at what point does it become sucky behaviour?
(I've since started wearing my Creative Zen to restaurants when I'm by myself, anyway, to filter everyone else out)
Interested to hear opinions.
An Haddock
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