Noise prompts golf driving range restaurant bans kids under 6

[RamboLiberal]

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In an email sent to loyal McDain's customers, owner Mike Vuick wrote, "Beginning July 16, 2011, McDain's Restaurant will no longer admit children under six years of age. We feel that McDain's is not a place for young children. Their volume can't be controlled and many, many times, they have disturbed other customers."

Vuick explained his reasoning to Team 4 on Friday, saying, "I think it's the height of being impolite and selfish, and therefore, I instituted a policy."

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"We've had the place here for 22 years, and the restaurant for nine, and I've noticed in those nine years there are certain parents who can't leave their children at home," Vuick said.

"You know, their child -- maybe as it should be -- is the center of their universe. But they don't realize it's not the center of the universe."

Read more: http://www.wtae.com/news/28488145/detail.html#ixzz1RqGE5faQ

Hot talk show topic in Pittsburgh today.

Babies cry but too often he is right about oblivious parents. I hate the ones who let the kids run around the restaurant.

McDains website: http://www.mcdains.com/index.html

[LoZoccolo]

1. !

:popcorn:

[bluestate10]

4. Waiting for fireworks? nt

[Lucian]

2. I hope more places follow suit.

Screaming, whining kids don't belong in places that are intended for adults.

[kestrel91316]

6. [phone]

[Auggie]

9. Now, if it was a bowling alley...

:)

[Missy Vixen]

18. But - but - they're the fyoooooooture!

Adults are just as loud as a three-year-old who refused to take an afternoon nap, out on the town after 9 PM!

:eyes:

[shraby]

3. Maybe he should set up a room with a babysitting service.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. The problem parents would not utilize it since their hellspawn are little angels all of the time

[Abq_Sarah]

5. ROTFL

You know, their child -- maybe as it should be -- is the center of their universe. But they don't realize it's not the center of the universe.

Somebody had to say it. :applause:

[bluestate10]

7. The owner is right. Money at driving ranges and most restaurants

is tight. One practical solution would be to setup the entrance away from the range and install thick glass on the range side. I have no issue with children when I am out in public, their parents are another deal all together. Children that have been taught manners by their parents don't misbehave in public, I have seen that with my own eyes.

[RamboLiberal]

10. Huh - has nothing to do with driving range

He's just sick of screaming kids and babies and I guess so is some of his customers. Knowing the area I'll be curious how this works out for him. Kind of a middle class to low upper income area. Not exactly a country club here but a decent driving range with probably a view of the rail yards.

[Auggie]

8. I wasn't taken to restaurants until I was 4 or 5...

by then I was taught to stay in my seat and be quiet until it was time to leave.

Good for McDain's.

[Liberal Veteran]

11. Breast feeding isn't THAT loud.

:hide:

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. IME the vast majority of the time the problem is not babies but older brats

who are not controlled by their parents. Said parents often get upset when others comment directly or indirectly about their spawn. Sometimes it is so easy it isn't even sporting.

[Deb]

14. Wow, all 7+ year olds have learned

the "sit down, shut up and never speak unless spoken to" rule before eating at McDain's Restaurant of quiet dining? What an exclusive joint! :eyes:

[Abq_Sarah]

16. By the age of 7

Kids with responsible parents have learned appropriate behavior.

[JuniperLea]

17. +1

[JuniperLea]

15. Good idea!

Little kids can go to Denny's... I don't want to spend big girl money on a big girl mean and hear a screaming kid the whole time I'm eating.

I took my kids to Denny's and such until I could rest assured they were ready to behave appropriately. I would be horribly embarrassed to be the parent of a screamer! Yikes~!

[RamboLiberal]

20. And it's not like there isn't a ton of family restaurants near this place

A couple miles up the road either direction there is probably every chain that has a Pittsburgh location.

[47of74]

19. Having worked in the resturant industry for several years I like this idea

We used to have kids running all over the place and neither parents or management ever saw anything wrong with that. Despite the fact that people were carrying hot coffee around or tubs full of dishes.

[etherealtruth]

21. I adore children

I'm generally not bothered by them ...but, to each her own. If a private business feels their atmosphere is not "appropriate" for children .... then so be it.

[madinmaryland]

22. It's their restaurant. I don't see any problem with that. If they lose a lot of business

they will change their policy.

They probably are concerned the drunks will embarrass the parents of the children that are there.

:shrug:

[NashVegas]

23. Polite Social Pressure Is a Very Lost Art

And the desire for enforcement of civility was lost in the 60s with the "whatever makes you feel good" crowd.

[JVS]

24. So, is this the place for the next DU meetup?