Just the other day I was having a really quite nice date at a swanky restaurant in Bangalore. It is a charming restaurant on the thirteenth floor with a lovely panoramic view of the city. This is the last place one would bring their children to. Somehow Indian parents insist on bringing children to late night dinners at expensive restaurants and wreck everyone else's privacy.
'Aunty, what is this?' I turned around to find a little kid tugging at my skirt.
'It's nothing baby. It's just a fork,' I smiled and turned to concentrate on my date.
'Aunty, is this your mobile?' the cuteness was fast fading for this brat had pulled out my mobile from my hand bag.
'Yes it is and now would you be a good boy and give it back to me?' I forced a smile.
After much deliberation the kid dodged me and ran with my mobile to his mother who was sitting two tables away. Politely but firmly I asked the mother if she could get me my mobile back as it was important. Instead of being apologetic she tells me kids are like this only and that I ought to be more tolerant.
I mean seriously, as much as we feel proud that our little Bunty is an active child bursting with energy, or love to see our little Chintu sing "Twinkle Twinkle", the rest of the world is under no obligation to indulge them. Parents should stop thinking they are entitled to some special rights.
Even at the movies I happened to get seats next to a boisterous family who had bought all the junk available at the multiplex and the kids were fighting over it all through the movie despite several refills. Also each kid by turn kept wanting to go the washroom, and each time he would have to cross me. I don't think I caught a word of what Captain Jack Sparrow was saying!
I don't know what we are proud of. We make monkeys of our kids. Feed them all the junk and make the world listen to them singing Jack and Jill a zillion times over, and force them to clap and cheer. So we all have sung Baa Baa Black Sheep, it has been the most natural part of our growing up, cute as it may sound it really is no rocket science.
So I think it's time to impose a few rules, Children below the age of 13 should not be allowed to
-Fancy restaurants at dinner. Even if they do allow children it should clearly mention they are 'child-friendly' or whatever, so that the rest of us can stay away.
- At the theaters for all shows from the evening show. The parents can rent the DVD and watch it later.
- At the beauty parlours where I like to get a my head massage done without having to hear pesky kids running around and trying to handle the equipments.
I don't have kids of my own, I am not even married. When I do I'll ensure they follow all these rules but right now I don't want be deprived of a good movie or a great dinner.
Published first at : Desi Critics
27 comments:
Indeed. And taking kids (below say 4) to musical concerts should be a crime punishable by law. Ghulam Ali interrupted by a kid who wants a lolly is not very endearing.
Wow, this is the first time that I'm hearing a Gal say these things for kids. Otherwise, gals are always saying 'Ohhh sooo cute.' about any kid that they come across. Believe me, it's kind of headache for me sometimes when my gal colleagues start doing such 'ooohh aaah's for fwd mails having photo of kids. :D
U'r different in this respect at least. Hats off. :)
I second vicky on your opinion on the kids.
Its not the kids but their parents who have to be taken for task for unleashing their kids in public place and enjoying the sight of others misery.
I have one more doubt? How come some people are (un)fortunate enough to face such exp. so often. (i heard of similar stuff from a few others and it always happens to them!!).
So much for the review of Ebony, what about the details about the date? ;-)
BTW, when you are planning a special evening, if you reserve in advance, you can usually ask for a quiet table. You may not always get it, but its worth asking.
Maybe it is the age that warrants such a strong reaction. would like to hear you at 35 on this.
It is the lack of space that prompts parents to bring kids to places where the adults frequent. How many parks, play grounds, games parlour etc do we have. Public places for kids are getting reduced by the day. Something for our planners and buiders to take note of..... And you being a foodie why not a restaurant for kids
Not to so say that such intrusive behavior has to be tolerated. kids need to be grounded. with all the all the one kid families parents pamper them to the hilt.
here is hoping that the date went OK. maybe all this added to the drama ..every rose has its thorn Maybe it is the age that warrants such a strong reaction. would like to hear you at 35 on this.
It is the lack of space that prompts parents to bring kids to places where the adults frequent. How many parks, play grounds, games parlor etc do we have. Public places for kids are getting reduced by the day. Something for our planners and builders to take note of..... how about a restaurant for kids
Not to so say that such intrusive behavior need to be tolerated. kids need to be grounded. with all the all the one kid families parents pamper them to the hilt.
here is hoping that the date went OK. maybe all this added to the drama. every rose has its thorn :-)
I thought u'll say "Aunty mat kaho na..."
I totally agree! and movie theatres...don't bring a kid who can't tell shahrukh from madhuri. Seriously. quit bringing kids to places where there are others like us....
hahahha... :)
true and true...
i got a 2 and a half year old nephew, who i think, looks cuter than joshua from roberto benigni's classic "life is beautiful" and is more active than our philosophically inclined calvin...
but then... he stays quiet when in public places and does not like to be disturbed :) ... i am sure he wud have a strong opinion against ur review only if he cud read A as A and not lambda as he sometimes does! :)
cheers
Ya get your point of view..evne i have gone through this lot of times...but i guess once we are parents we not let with lot of options...ultimately its people like us...enjoying our freedom...who end up being parents one day...
Liked your writing style
Cheers
Leo
Try being on a airplane from New Jersey to Chennai with a 2 yr old crying for almost the entire journey sitting behind you... :)
i agree with all my heart and soul. i only coochie-coo kids who don't bawl. :D
I kinda agree with Redwaterstew! At the same time, I believe, Kids above 4 must be allowed in public places. This is the way they will learn ettiquettes!
Also I do believe children below four years of age must not be allowed in music concerts and Theatres, as they will start hollering and disturb everyone!
i had the mst terrible (i still dnt find the wrst to say) experience.
What u feel ven a 10yr old (boy) kid DAD (who r siting in the frnt row) tell his wife "dekho na hamara ladka bada ho gaya hai" . You know why he said so bcz this kid was all time sitting ULTA on the seat facing me n smiling . And as the DAD's voice had the punjabi (chak de fatte) volume added to it.
I was more enough to make me embarrs (nt frgt to mention abt the gud luking guy who ws siting next to me) ...ohh cnt even jump off from the plane no no i m nt scared bt i dnt know hw to operate parachutes.
:)
Worse is the kids yelling at the top of their voice in a movie hall !!
Nice post :)
Well, these rules should be made w.r.t parents.. how many times have you been disturbed by kids who are not being taken care of by their parents?
What sari says is a bit too odd.. a dad praising his 10 yr old son for staring at a gal??? C'mon.. that is the hieghts!
Be it anywhere.. from a restaurant to a cinema hall... from Nandi Hills to a Mall, kids who are not taken care of properly by their parents are a real pain!! And know what?? If you show that you are uncomfortable coz of the disturbance that the kid is causing, the parents give you a look as if to ask "R u an alien???"
please don't worry maadbedi !
Nice post Dhiviya. Its the parents who should be responsible in such public places and take care thier children. But, I would like to make a point that, we are moving more and more towards personal privacy and no wonder in seeing "No Neighbour Apartment" kind of advertisements.
You mean to tell me that you turned back when a kid called you 'Aunty'???
:)
She seriously told you to be more tolerant? That says a lot about her attitude and also about how she brings up her kids ....
Nice post Dhiviya. Its the parents who should be responsible for their children to behave well in public places. I see kids in America (typicaly American kids) they are quite when compared to Indian kids. Indian parents shud learn seeing them. Indian kids create mess in public places and it is too irritating and parents for some reason feel proud abt their kid being naughty and active.
Totally agree with you! And here I thought I was the only girl who gets annoyed with spoiled lil kids...Feel like its almost considered a sin if you dont find them cute, especially when all the other girls are goin goo goo gaa gaa over them!
Parents should know that thou they may find everythin their kid does to be 'oh so cute', others dont have to share the same view! Good post! :)
As always I end up differing with your opinions I guess! Sorry, old habits die hard!
I dont say kids are awesomeee and that I lovvee themm...But there is something in them that me, you and anyone who has posted here aint have - the ability to do what they feel like doing and giving 2 hoots to the consequences. How many times have we just managed to stay in boring concerts when all we felt like was throwing eggs and walking out? And how many times have we eaten with forks and knives when all we felt was to damn swallow that damn burger? And why? Just because you want to be portrayed as civil? To respect what you dont really respect and to practice what you dont want to? Or to show that 'I' am no less pretending to be someone you are not? Accepted privacy is important, but Im astonished that it has become more important than enjoying a few minutes of innocence..accepted that there is a pain in the curiosity he shows, a pain in the engergy he posesses, but I wonder isnt it what we are lacking? If we had that, we wouldnt be gulping beer and talking about work or bitching about people..And when did it become a bigger pain than sheer selfishness and egoism that we posess?
True, he may be the "Great Indian Brat"; atleast not "The Great Indian Hyprocrite" and you and me dont have the guts to write about it! And he doesnt give 2 hoots about who we are!
As always I end up differing with your opinions I guess! Sorry, old habits die hard!
I dont say kids are awesomeee and that I lovvee themm...But there is something in them that me, you and anyone who has posted here aint have - the ability to do what they feel like doing and giving 2 hoots to the consequences. How many times have we just managed to stay in boring concerts when all we felt like was throwing eggs and walking out? And how many times have we eaten with forks and knives when all we felt was to damn swallow that damn burger? And why? Just because you want to be portrayed as civil? To respect what you dont really respect and to practice what you dont want to? Or to show that 'I' am no less pretending to be someone you are not? Accepted privacy is important, but Im astonished that it has become more important than enjoying a few minutes of innocence..accepted that there is a pain in the curiosity he shows, a pain in the engergy he posesses, but I wonder isnt it what we are lacking? If we had that, we wouldnt be gulping beer and talking about work or bitching about people..And when did it become a bigger pain than sheer selfishness and egoism that we posess?
True, he may be the "Great Indian Brat"; atleast not "The Great Indian Hyprocrite" and you and me dont have the guts to write about it! And he doesnt give 2 hoots about who we are!
As always I end up differing with your opinions I guess! Sorry, old habits die hard!
I dont say kids are awesomeee and that I lovvee themm...But there is something in them that me, you and anyone who has posted here aint have - the ability to do what they feel like doing and giving 2 hoots to the consequences. How many times have we just managed to stay in boring concerts when all we felt like was throwing eggs and walking out? And how many times have we eaten with forks and knives when all we felt was to damn swallow that damn burger? And why? Just because you want to be portrayed as civil? To respect what you dont really respect and to practice what you dont want to? Or to show that 'I' am no less pretending to be someone you are not? Accepted privacy is important, but Im astonished that it has become more important than enjoying a few minutes of innocence..accepted that there is a pain in the curiosity he shows, a pain in the engergy he posesses, but I wonder isnt it what we are lacking? If we had that, we wouldnt be gulping beer and talking about work or bitching about people..And when did it become a bigger pain than sheer selfishness and egoism that we posess?
True, he may be the "Great Indian Brat"; atleast not "The Great Indian Hyprocrite" and you and me dont have the guts to write about it! And he doesnt give 2 hoots about who we are!
the problem is not with the kids. we cannot blame them. we got to blame the parents who bring them.
kids are always cute and i agree that parents make them monkeys.... atleast in childhood stage.
i dont think this should be punishable by law. its the common sense that parents should have in mind not to take their childresn and create problem for others. instead they can very well go to cubbon park / lalbagh.
kids usually love to roam here and there when they see a big hall or any place other than their usual house. its quite nature. and we all would have done that. ask your parents to know how mischief you are...
- beyondwork
http://beyondwork.wordpress.com
Nice blog ..
Yes kids some times are really irritating ... I felt the feminine sex wont have that feeling as they love babies ... (oomph)
interesting post :) another reason why private dining is becoming more and more mainstream i guess.
next time...
* steal the kid's candy or
* pick a place like, mebbe Ista!
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