[ferretchucker]

My parents were always very clear about procedure. If we were going to a posh restaurant, this situation was explained to me: if I have an issue, I am to speak to either of my parents quietly and they'll sort it out. I sit still as possible, eat the food nicely (cut it properly, don't make a mess). If I made an commotion, we would leave and I wouldn't be taken out for a nice night like that again. I never did, and so we never had to leave.

I like to think I didn't need this explained to me as I feel I was brought up well enough to understand common courtesy, but what I don't understand is that if parents know they do have children who will cause problems, why do they not use this same briefing process and go through with the threat if necessary? Are they that focussed on getting their night out that they forget about the restaurant full of people also trying to have a night out. I say not only ban screaming children, but ban those who smell! That's a constant thorn in my side.

Smelly screaming children are to be taken to the back room and shot.