Larry's Comic Place Doesn't Like Toddlers

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by mitzi

Went to the square today for Earth Day. The grand baby got hungry so we went in Larry's for a hot dog and ice cream. Waiting in line the grand baby started having the usual meltdown toddlers have. He was in the stroller and not running around. So we're waiting and the guy behind the counter says "I wish they wouldn't bring their screaming babies in here". Now this wasn't some kid, this was an adult obviously in charge. If this was a restaurant, one of us would have taken him outside. I was pi$$ed. No matter how feel, you don't make comments like that when your customers can hear you. They lost a sale today.

IF YOU had taken him out side the employee would not have had to say that for you to hear above all the teens and tweens in the place. It couldn't have been too loud in there.

[mitzi]

Originally Posted by Roberta

IF YOU had taken him out side the employee would not have had to say that for you to hear above all the teens and tweens in the place. It couldn't have been too loud in there.

Point is, it should not have been said. I don't care how you feel about the customer or if the kids are being bratty you do not make comments about the customer in front of others. We were only in there a few minutes and in line, it's not like we sat down to eat and he was screaming the whole time. When we got to the counter to place the order, that's when I heard him. Maybe I have a different set of standards from a lifetime of working with the public. I don't care how aggravated a customer makes you, whether it was an adult or a screaming, bratty kid you don't make snide remarks about them in front of others. I worked at one place where I dreaded seeing certain families come in so I know what it's like, but I sure as hell didn't say anything.

[FED_UP]

Originally Posted by mitzi

Point is, it should not have been said. I don't care how you feel about the customer or if the kids are being bratty you do not make comments about the customer in front of others. We were only in there a few minutes and in line, it's not like we sat down to eat and he was screaming the whole time. When we got to the counter to place the order, that's when I heard him. Maybe I have a different set of standards from a lifetime of working with the public. I don't care how aggravated a customer makes you, whether it was an adult or a screaming, bratty kid you don't make snide remarks about them in front of others. I worked at one place where I dreaded seeing certain families come in so I know what it's like, but I sure as hell didn't say anything.

Sounds like you caught a grouchy person in one of his bad moods, no biggy move on. Personally I would never talk about a baby crying, what do people expect. I see your point too, if it were a nice quiet restaurant or movie you would have went outside. Someone commented that he is such a nice guy, sounds like wolf in sheep clothing if all it takes is a little baby for him to get ignorant and disrespectful.

[Dye Tied]

Originally Posted by mitzi

Where did I say he did this on a regular basis? I never said that. He does it occasionally but usually when we go out to dinner he's good. It was much more than "talking" when we in there today, it was a zoo with loud, schrieking teenagers and middle schoolers horsing around, NOT just people "talking". I thought the atmosphere was just fine for a crying toddler, picture the county fair and maybe you'll see what I mean. He was in a stroller, the crowd in there acted like they still needed to be in a stroller. It's still no excuse for what the man said. He doesn't know why people bring their crying kids in? To buy something to eat for them, that's why. To buy something from his business, that's why. He was an a$$, whoever he was. Pure bad customer service when you bash your customers loud enough that they hear you.

You said that you take him outside when he gets like that...Doesn't that mean it happened more than once before?
As a patron, I would have looked you square in the eye and asked to to please remove the squawking child. If your child is disturbing the adult conversing patrons, remove the little noise maker.

[RoseRed (Premo)]

DEAR ABBY: A member of my gym brings her newborn in with her every morning. She sets the carrier down next to her treadmill, puts in her earplugs and runs. The baby usually cries on and off, but today he cried nonstop during my entire 20-minute workout. It drove me crazy.

I'm a mom, too. A crying baby, especially a newborn, is heartbreaking. This woman never stops to see why her little one is crying or to console him. This situation doesn't seem to bother the other gym members. Should I talk to her and risk a hostile response, or speak to the gym manager? -- HEAVY-HEARTED GYM BUNNY IN RIVERVIEW, FLA.

DEAR GYM BUNNY: Talk to the manager. The crying infant may not bother the other gym members, but it bothers you. The woman isn't stopping her workout to see what may be wrong because with her earbuds in she can't hear the child, which doesn't make her a candidate for mother of the year. She's causing a distraction and an inconvenience to you, so speak up.

[FED_UP]

Originally Posted by RoseRed

DEAR ABBY: A member of my gym brings her newborn in with her every morning. She sets the carrier down next to her treadmill, puts in her earplugs and runs. The baby usually cries on and off, but today he cried nonstop during my entire 20-minute workout. It drove me crazy.

I'm a mom, too. A crying baby, especially a newborn, is heartbreaking. This woman never stops to see why her little one is crying or to console him. This situation doesn't seem to bother the other gym members. Should I talk to her and risk a hostile response, or speak to the gym manager? -- HEAVY-HEARTED GYM BUNNY IN RIVERVIEW, FLA.

DEAR GYM BUNNY: Talk to the manager. The crying infant may not bother the other gym members, but it bothers you. The woman isn't stopping her workout to see what may be wrong because with her earbuds in she can't hear the child, which doesn't make her a candidate for mother of the year. She's causing a distraction and an inconvenience to you, so speak up.

What kind of mother stands by while her infant child is crying. I guess she wants to get those pounds off from having the baby, yea that is more important.

[ftcret]

I beleive more people should speak up about crying/misbehaving children. You wouldn't allow an adult to carry on in a disruptive manner. Just as loud disruptive adult patrons are asked to respect the rights of others, those with small children in tow should expect the same. The loss of the patron will be made up from those of us who enjoy conversational levels of sound, with or without children. Here is a news flash for some of you, Children can be taught to behave in public. I know it sounds radical, but I do not subscribe to the thought process that allowing children to behave like the world is their own primate house does not foster learning and mtoor skill coordination. Teach them early to interact with the rest of society and perhaps I or Clem won't have to shoot the next one that thinks they can violate someone elses space with impunity.

[hvp05]

Originally Posted by Dye Tied

As a patron, I would have stood on a chair then looked you square in the eye and asked to to please remove the squawking child.

Seems as though the baby was the proverbial last straw, especially since you (mitzi) were standing near the counter where the employee was. Your ultimate point is right, though, that he should not have made the comment so carelessly.

[LadyCoyote]

Originally Posted by mitzi

Went to the square today for Earth Day. The grand baby got hungry so we went in Larry's for a hot dog and ice cream. Waiting in line the grand baby started having the usual meltdown toddlers have. He was in the stroller and not running around. So we're waiting and the guy behind the counter says "I wish they wouldn't bring their screaming babies in here". Now this wasn't some kid, this was an adult obviously in charge. If this was a restaurant, one of us would have taken him outside. I was pi$$ed. No matter how feel, you don't make comments like that when your customers can hear you. They lost a sale today.

The guy was out of line to "voice" his thoughts loudly. He's an employee and the job is dealing with the PUBLIC -- for him to speak outloud like that - uncalled for, and definitely bad judgement/indiscreet. Deal with it, fella -- make the sale and give the people their food. They will be out the door in a few minutes. So it's a screaming child -- he's probably got to deal with customers talking on the cellphones, texting, gabbing or doing other annoying things. I would guarantee you that his voicing of opinion probably turned OTHERS off, as well...it just speaks of an unwelcoming atmosphere.

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by RoseRed

DEAR ABBY: A member of my gym brings her newborn in with her every morning. She sets the carrier down next to her treadmill, puts in her earplugs and runs. The baby usually cries on and off, but today he cried nonstop during my entire 20-minute workout. It drove me crazy.

I'm a mom, too. A crying baby, especially a newborn, is heartbreaking. This woman never stops to see why her little one is crying or to console him. This situation doesn't seem to bother the other gym members. Should I talk to her and risk a hostile response, or speak to the gym manager? -- HEAVY-HEARTED GYM BUNNY IN RIVERVIEW, FLA.

DEAR GYM BUNNY: Talk to the manager. The crying infant may not bother the other gym members, but it bothers you. The woman isn't stopping her workout to see what may be wrong because with her earbuds in she can't hear the child, which doesn't make her a candidate for mother of the year. She's causing a distraction and an inconvenience to you, so speak up.

The real answer to the question is that management shouldn't allow children of any age in the equipment area. It would be quite easy for them to get injured. I'm surprised they'd let her do that.