Oh, I’m all on for the ridiculous, over-the-top praise in both situations. (Also applause.) But eating in a restaurant, unlike shitting on the toilet, is supposed to be its own reward. It’s a treat that’s only for people who are big enough to do it properly.
I hardly think “a little insulted” is an overreaction. I don’t need a restaurant’s award or approval on how I raise my kids. Didn’t asked to be judged, don’t want to be. If someone says a simple “you have nice children”, fine, I’m not a hater, but then be on your way. If someone offers them free ice cream, fine. But there is a bit of a difference between someone passing a compliment, and some server in a restaurant deeming your parental skills adequate.
When I say a little insulted, I mean a little. I would probably take the discount and say thanks, assuming they meant well. Now if they put up a sign stating the policy, I doubt I would go there very much…too much pressure.
When people would compliment my kids behavior, I was tempted to say “they’re like that because we beat the living shit out of them if they misbehave, but it’s worth it just so you can have a nicer day. Let me know if they get out of line.” 
I’m happy to pay a $4 surcharge if they don’t let any kids in at all.
Lighten up, y’all. It’s just a marketing gimmick.
No one will agree faster than me that behaving nicely in a restaurant should be considered normal behavior. But the little discount seems like more of a friendly, encouraging compliment than anything else.
At work, I’m expected to turn in professional, accurate reports as a normal thing. Still, it’s nice when someone takes the time to note that a report was especially helpful.
It’s a nice gesture. I’d take it at that, and not be worried about someone judging my parenting, etc. My guess is that it’s not a typical everyday policy, and who knows? Maybe those were exceptionally well-behaved children, or perhaps they managed to be adequately well-behaved in contrast to and in spite of a table full of screaming heathens right beside them.
My kids were well behaved part of the time. Can I get half the discount?
Sure. Just present half a kid.
Why do I surmise that you’ll never have to worry about being offended by winning the Good Diner Prize?
You guys have made a lot of good points; I agree with those of you who say that good behaviour in a restaurant should be the norm - the minimum expected from everyone who is in the restaurant, because you’re out with the general public, not in your own living room. That said, I can also see this being used by restaurants as a positive reminder to parents that everyone appreciates it when their kids are well-behaved.
I predict 11 pages.
My guess is that the bowl of ice cream had to be rung in by the server so the back of the house would get the ticket and make it. The cost of the ice cream was $4 so it was removed on the bill with the reason for the cost adjustment. So not really a discount as much as a treat for well behaved childern. Seems like a nice thing to do to me.
My personal dream is restaurants having “no children” sections like they used to do with smoking. Not gonna happen, but I like to think about it.
McDonalds with the PlayPlaces is kind of like that - the kids are all enclosed in a different room, and you can barely even hear them.
Seriously.
Someone you don’t know did something nice and generous for someone else you don’t know. Get the fuck over it.
If it’s a personal compliment, from one human to another, that’s sweet.
If it’s some kind of instated policy that my bill will depend on their random assessment of my parenting skills, that I can do without.
It was the sweet one.
Do you even lift?
For kids who are 5 and under, eating at a restaurant is not particularly rewarding. They have to be quiet, they have to sit in their chair, they can’t play the way they necessarily want to. In reward, they get some chicken fingers or grilled cheese they could just as easily eat at home.
“You better sit in that seat and be quiet, or I’m never going to let you back in here and force you to sit down and be quiet. Instead, I’ll cook something for you and let you eat it while watching Toy Story for the 500th time.”
Now, you have the restaurant giving the kids a serving of “good kid ice cream” when they behave nicely, THAT is a reward that will get a child’s attention.
Am I the only one amused by the fact that, as usual, the reward for having children is less than the tax you have to pay?
(d & r :D)