Thursday, 24 November 2011
UK's largest restaurant charging for babies -
No, they're not serving them on the menu, they are charging them for the space that they occupy and I guess for the inconvenience caused to other diners.
Cosmo restaurant in Croydon has introduced a £3 charge per baby to sit at the table with adults, according to the Croydon Guardian.
I can't see whats wrong with this. Whilst plenty argue that the babies take up no appreciable room and the adults are spending money etc., the restaurant obviously identifies an issue and seeks to resolve it. Surely it's up to them? If anyone takes exception to any such policy then there will surely be other places that will welcome babies, perhaps seeing an opportunity ti increase their business.
Actually I can see a real demand for 'baby free' eating establishments. Just think about it; no screaming and crying throughout you meal, no more dirty nappy smells, no more baby sick, no more gurning grannies and stupid baby talk and no more giant fleshy jugs* being whipped out to feed the squealing brat. What's not to like?
I also have no particular dislike of babies and children, I just don't like paying for the privilege of eating in a restaurant only to find that someone else spawn is imposed on me. More eateries that catered for an adult only clientele may well be a good thing.
Perhaps this is just a subtle way to change the customer demograph as the right to breast feed is enshrined in law. It's amazing what you can't do in your own premises isn't it?
Breastfeeding in public (restaurants, cafes, libraries etc.) is protected under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 under the provision of goods, facilities and services section. If the child is under 6 months old, the mother has additional protection under a 2008 amendment to the act which protects maternity rights.
In Scotland, the Scottish Parliament passed legislation safeguarding the freedom of women to breastfeed in public in 2005. The legislation allows for fines of up to £2500 for preventing breastfeeding in public places.
The Equality Act 2010 also prohibits discrimination against women who are breastfeeding.
* I actually rather like the more generous women, but there is a time and a place for the enjoyment of such things and and a restaurant isn't it.
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Breastfeeding may be covered by the DDA but you have no obligation to allow babies onto a licensed premesis.
ReplyDeleteHaving worked in this trade I can definately see a reason for this charge. In our restaurant we used to supply high chairs. When the family had gone, the high chair, the table and 2-3 square metres of carpet around the high chair would be caked in food that needed to be cleaned up before the next people sat down.
At home, I guess familes would take steps to minimise the mess, cleaning as they go. When eating out they don't care and let the kid go nuts.
If child free restaurants do start to crop up then I will make use of them.
Hmmm, Interesting point of view. I’d happily pay for a seat for my kids, but perhaps I’m seeing something different here to you. Quote ‘only to find that someone else’ spawn is imposed on me’. I’ve been to many restaurants and cafe’s where it seems I’m not welcome because of the little humans I have with me. Maybe they should build little shelters outside these places for me and my kids to sit when I’m with them – you know, so those who don’t have children don’t feel imposed up. Kind of like the way the intolerant do for those people who chose to smoke.
ReplyDeleteBucko - Quite!
ReplyDeleteMMW - I have no objection to children in restaurants generally but we should have the option of child free dining. That's the restaurants call and it should be respected and supported. Others will welcome children and babies and that's their choice too. Blanket exclusion or inclusion equals less choice not more. I'd like to smoke in restaurants again too, not all maybe but some. I'd like the option!
mmw - You say 'little humans' as though we don't see them as such. We do. In my case I chose not to have any little humans. If there was a restaurant for adults only I would use it. I'm not asking for children to be banned from all of them, just that the owner be allowed to choose who he lets in. Like they are not allowed to do with smokers.
ReplyDeleteNo you don't see them as such. In fact you don't see anything, but your small, tiny ego.
ReplyDelete