Member since:
September 8, 2006

Olde Salty's of NC Will Not Tolerate Screaming Diners At Their Restaurant - Good Business Move or Not? [video]

September 09, 2010 11:46 PM UTC

views: 0 | 5 people recommend this | comments: 30

Olde Salty's, a North Carolina restaurant, has decided it will not tolerate screaming children in their eatery.

Gone are the days where the only signs you'll see in a restaurant are no smoking and shirt and shoes required. Now one restaurant has decided to make one of their own up: "Screaming Children Will Not Be Tolerated!"

Yes, the owners of the restaurant truly are serious on this one. They will not allow anyone with a child that screams, cries, whines or even pouts to dine at their establishment. So what exactly happens if your child should drop their french fry and cry in frustration at a lost treat? According to the DailyMail.Uk, parents with whining children will not be kicked out of the restaurant, but an employee will approach them and ask them to take their child outside and calm them down.

This means a family member has to walk away from their dinner and step outside to console the child. Which as we all know as parents might not console the child that just wants their french fry which is still inside on the dining table. In the meantime, the parent's dinner has possibly cooled down and become even more unsavory. If the rule wasn't in place, it's possible that the parent would have consoled the child at the table within minutes, as parents often have been seen doing.

As one might have guessed, this decision has weighed on patrons in very different ways. Some, like Gary Gibson, who was visiting Olde Salty for the first time, said: 'It's not very enjoyable when you hear a bunch of kids screaming. It's nice to see a sign like that up.'

Others, like Ashley Helfin, a mother of two, seem to disagree: 'I've never seen a restaurant say, don't bring your screaming kids in here. You can't help it if your kids scream.'

As a parent, it'd seem this rule would be a put-off to dine there as children are unpredictable. However, according to owner Brenda Armes, it's made business boom. She claims that she got sick of customers complaining about parents who couldn't control their children during meals.

She said many parents allowed their children to treat the restaurant like their personal playground, misbehaving and 'squawking'.

Which side is right? Is there any right or wrong here? Would you take a child to dine in a place with zero tolerance even for pouting (which is silent?) or would you dine elsewhere?

View the video below and weigh in on how you feel about Mrs. Arme's decision.

Â© September 9, 2010 Jennifer Neff for Gather.com

view all photos

You need the latest Adobe Flash Player.
Install the player now

Find more about: olde saltys, olde saltys nc, olde saltys north carolina, olde saltys no screaming

Find Gather groups: Gather Business News Channel

Facebook

Twitter

bookmark

5 people recommend this post

Karolyn Q.

Gessy D.

Rachel Dillin

Michelle W.

Doug York

Comments: 30

Jennifer Neff Sep 9, 2010, 11:56pm UTC

Personally, there's absolutely no way I would eat in an establishment that's that cold and rude toward a child's normal tendency to cry.

My question is this, what happens when an ADULT cries or screams or is unruly? Are they thrown out as well or are they allowed to stay since they are not a child?

reply to this comment

Doug York Sep 9, 2010, 11:56pm UTC

I heard that. Not good business.

Jennifer Neff Sep 10, 2010, 10:51am UTC

That's what I thought, though the owner says otherwise oddly enough.

reply to this comment

Michelle W. Sep 10, 2010, 8:45am UTC

It might not be good business, but at the same time, I hate trying to eat a pleasant meal or even go shopping and hearing a child screaming and pitching a tantrum while mom or dad are oblivious and ignoring them. It is is unsettling to the other patrons. I am sorry for the parents, but I would never allow my children or grandchildren to act that way. I always took them outside and dealt with them so as to disturb others. Common sense should prevail but most parents today do not seem to have that.

Jennifer Neff Sep 10, 2010, 10:53am UTC

I'm not a fan of screaming kids - mine or anyone else's - but the fact is that if you offer a FAMILY dining experience it comes along with the territory. Most responsible parents console children fairly quickly. Those that don't more times than not use common sense and remove the child to calm elsewhere. Being told to do so and ousted by staff is another thing.

As they say, common sense isn't always all that common!

reply to this comment

Rachel Dillin Sep 10, 2010, 10:17am UTC

As a parent, I wouldn't go to a place that had such rude signs. When my kids are unruly, I take them out. I don't need them to tell me.

Jennifer Neff Sep 10, 2010, 10:53am UTC

Absolutely, Kate. I think most parents use this discretion well.

reply to this comment

nancy tsefrekas Sep 10, 2010, 11:48am UTC

I think that the bottom line is not the children but is more on the parents. Neff's phrase of "responsible parents" and her comment is on target. Olde Salty's sign only says that screaming children won't be tolerated. Why should they be? Our family likes to go out to dinner to enjoy the evening together. We don't want to hear or watch children out of control. It is simply not enjoyable. It is truly sad that it had to get to the point where someone put up a sign. She is far from alone. Check out the recent polls. Why are kids these days not taught restaurant manners?

Jennifer Neff Sep 10, 2010, 11:56am UTC

Most do want a rather quiet dinner - my family included. Yet a family dining experience also opens up the possibility that a child could be overall cranky. Is that something we just accept and choose to dine elsewhere if that's not your proverbial cup of tea?

Parents that don't want a rowdy atmosphere choose not to dine at pubs or sports grills for this reason. Should those that don't want upset children be lent the same choice as well?

reply to this comment

Cheri Rene Sep 10, 2010, 1:28pm UTC

Has anyone stopped to consider the possibility that some children who have a sudden and unpredictable outburst in public might actually have autism and are not the offspring of those with poor parental skills? Autism is on the rise. Perhaps Olde Salty's or any other establishment that is considering removing patrons should first consider that the child that has suddenly become upset may in fact be disabled. Should that be the case everyone involved needs to be aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. More specifically Title III - Public Accommodations (and Commercial Facilities) 42 U.S.C. § 12181– Under Title III, no individual may be discriminated against on the basis of disability with regards to the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, or accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person who owns, leases (or leases to), or operates a place of public accommodation. "Public accommodations" include most places of lodging (such as inns and hotels), recreation, transportation, education, and dining, along with stores, care providers, and places of public displays, among other things.

Jennifer Neff Sep 10, 2010, 1:50pm UTC

Cheri, you bring up a very valid fact. A friend has an autistic child and whilst writing this I had considered that myself. Also, what happens if a child gets ill while eating (it's happened to me before) and as such sick kids are just all over cranky and hard to console. This is likely why no one has tried to enforce such a rule before.

I still say it's bad business practice, and as you pointed out could also be discrimination. Not good.

reply to this comment

nancy tsefrekas Sep 10, 2010, 3:24pm UTC

It still comes down to the parents needing to take appropriate action to handle their own child's screaming or outburst. I was recently on a flight from San Diego, Ca to Vermont where there was a almost unrelenting crying baby. The mom and dad made the difference for the passengers. They did not just sit there expecting everyone else to deal with it because it is a common flight problem. They attentively worked with the baby. The baby unfortunately (for the baby) suffered most of the flight. Most passengers were kind and sympathetic. MANY parents tolerate much more from their own children. Bottom line, if you don't like the establishments rules don't go there.

Jennifer Neff Sep 10, 2010, 3:47pm UTC

Agreed. My son never liked the airplane as a baby either. We opt instead for trains now -a-days where we can walk around and "sight see" when we are cranky.

Unfortunately for us, owners can make rules as they see fit, and as you said, we can dine there or elsewhere as we see fit.

reply to this comment

Allen Russ Sep 11, 2010, 8:47pm UTC

I completely agree with this restaurant. The lil woman and I have seven kids. We never subjected any one to our kids cries or screams. If any one of them even thought of starting to cry she would take the offender out to the car and wait til the rest of us finished or the bad youngun calmed down and then she would come back in with the child.

Jennifer Neff Sep 12, 2010, 3:21pm UTC

I'm not sure sitting in the car is a suitable alternative to going outside, but yes, there are other options to calming children that refuse to be quieted.

Allen Russ Sep 12, 2010, 4:48pm UTC

It worked. The rest of us had a quiet meal and we did not bother other diners. PS sitting in the car IS going outside. It was a deterrant. It was not pleasant for the child therefore it made it less likely for one of our kids to act up. Out of seven kids the lil woman had to do it maybe 5 or 6 times total. Well to be honest once we got past 4 kids we stopped taking more than one or two out at a time.

Jennifer Neff Sep 12, 2010, 6:40pm UTC

Yeah, I'm aware it's outside. I was referring to in summer when cars are known to be extremely hot and that's not really healthy for long periods of time. Again, just my 2 cents as a parent I'd be out in the open rather than cooped up in a hot car.

Of course you don't want it to be pleasant, but gotta keep with the safety and all. Our car gets unbearably hot within minutes in summertime.

We generally have never had any issues with our son throwing fits during dinner out. Only when he was ill and younger. Other than that he's pretty well behaved.

Allen Russ Sep 12, 2010, 8:14pm UTC

There is this new invention called air conditioning that they now put in cars. Like I said it was a handful of times it we used it over the course of ten yrs. If I had to be the one to go outside it was worse for the offender. I would have ahand to bottom chat and they def did not want that. Usuaqlly just the threat of leaving the table worked. Again spread out over seven kids we only had to do it a few times. We often got compliments on how well behaved our children were and other people found it refreshing. We even had one older couple come over to our table and tell us they were dismayed when they saw us it down with four kids. After they saw how well behaved they were they told us they actually enjoyed watching our family's dinner interactions.

Jennifer Neff Sep 13, 2010, 11:15am UTC

No need to be wise, Allen. I'm not dense, thanks. I'm aware of that and still, I continue to disagree. Accept that we won't agree completely on more than a few things - including spanking - and leave it at that. I've done that long ago.

The fact of the matter is each parent has their own way to make things right. What's right for them might not be right for others. This is where we disagree. As for well behaved kids, for years we got the same compliments on our son, and we chose much less drastic methods of discipline that worked well. Different methods for different people and different children.

reply to this comment

Linda JM Sep 12, 2010, 12:17am UTC

People who don't like the policy can find another place to eat. Those who like the policy can eat there in gratitude. Different strokes for different folks. I had five children, so I'm not all on the side of the restaurant owner... I just think as long as there are lots of restaurants in the town, this could work out well for everyone. There's nothing more annoying than being in a restaurant as parent of a crying kid and then having people all around you giving you dirty looks. LOL Might as well go where you're wanted, you know?

Jennifer Neff Sep 12, 2010, 3:20pm UTC

I agree, Linda. The only gripe I have is that they don't give a parent a CHANCE to calm a child. If given a chance 99.9% of parents succeed in calming the child.

Though as you said they aren't the only eatery in town and there's always choices.

nancy tsefrekas Sep 12, 2010, 11:06pm UTC

The percentages of parents do NOT try to calm their children. Many simply tolerate more/longer because they are their own children. Many people on these posts say they hate getting the evil looks from other customers which states a lot in and of itself. It took more than just a scream, a cry, a tantrum or a piece of flying food to get that kind of reaction from another patron. Children need to learn manners BEFORE they go out to dinner. If you have a whiny, upset, fussy, colicky, irritable or tired child.......get take out, go home or soothe them elsewhere. Bottom line is that it is a better and more compassionate decision for the child. I didn't try to take my children out to a sit down dinner when they were overtired or didn't feel good. Call ahead and ask for take out. Yes, it was not as convenient as plunking them in a high chair somewhere with tableware set but they had the comfort of our quite surroundings at home or in a hotel where we all were at ease.

nancy tsefrekas Sep 12, 2010, 11:15pm UTC

Another idea which our family found very useful is to call ahead to the restaurant. We would ask if they were very busy. If they had a wait, we didn't go. We also asked them if we could order ahead. We would look up a menu online if we had computer access. If not, we choose a restaurant with a generic menu. We explained that we have small children. Most restaurants were very gracious. The few that were not obviously were not the type of place that we would want to give our money to.

Jennifer Neff Sep 13, 2010, 11:21am UTC

Nancy I didn't take my child to a sit down dinner when overtired either. As for the time he was dining when sick he got sick in the drive there (it was 3 towns over) and that was after being out at a relative's prior to that where he was ok. I don't even recall him fussing about much that night, either. You just knew he wasn't feeling well. On the way home my husband became sick in the car and that night I, too got sick. So we all got it that night at one point or another.

Things happen but I think the numbers are more accurate on parents that handle the child responsibly. Perhaps that's just me speaking as that's what we do, I don't really know. I've rarely been annoyed by someone's failure to calm their child anywhere including at Mc Donald's. More times than not parents are successful within minutes.

Jennifer Neff Sep 13, 2010, 11:22am UTC

Yes, calling ahead is a good idea. Some places have huge waiting lines. I know of one of them myself here. Awesome place, but wait time is pretty irritating.

reply to this comment

nancy tsefrekas Sep 12, 2010, 11:46am UTC

Thank you Linda! You nailed it!

reply to this comment

Karolyn Q. Sep 13, 2010, 8:09am UTC

I don't particularly like screaming children in a restaurant either. I don't blame the children though because many times the parents just sit there and do nothing about it. My son has always been very good in restaurants mostly because we go to family restaurants and we go when it is not busy. That may mean an early dinner but I also don't like to disrupt a whole restaurant. When there were times my son has been out of control I take him out of the restaurant and calm him down outside. Fortunately, I haven't had this to do this alot or in quite some time. He is allowed to be a kid though. I don't expect him to sit there like an adult and not talk or play. We let him bring a small toy in with him and we order for him first. I would not take my son to a fancy restaurant or somewhere they would not aloud a kid to cry simply because I want to enjoy my time out too. I don't want to feel like everyone is watching me and my family because my son is a bit noisy.

Jennifer Neff Sep 13, 2010, 11:25am UTC

Karolyn, yes, sometimes the children do it because the parents don't make any effort to calm them. Too busy eating to get what the child needed. Makes the rest of the responsible parents look bad, too.

Sometimes we go early, too. Just so the wait isn't so long and we don't try his patience. If we can't do that we bring busy toys or something to draw with to pass the time. Generally it works well.

Karolyn Q. Sep 15, 2010, 2:51pm UTC

Going early works with us too. Letting him bring his toys was always something that worked. I believe that he has to behave in a restaurant but he is still definitely allowed to be a kid too. When there have been a few times that he was misbehaving or was getting restless at the end I would take him outside with me. Sometimes he just doesn't want to stay there any longer.