Want to start an argument between the child-free and the, um, childed? Ask about children's behavior in restaurants. I've been on both sides of that coin – the pre-kids evenings out which were quickly ruined by a horrid little uncontrolled brat, and restaurant outings trying to amuse my daughter for just two more minutes so I can finish eating while getting glares from the person who looks just like me ten years ago.
(Tip: Always, always ask for the check and a takeout box as soon as your entrée is served, so you can make a quick exit if need be. Trust me here. I have learned this through stressful, flop-sweaty experience. Also, spoons. My daughter loved them when she was an older baby and we'd ask our server to bring tons as soon as we sat down).
Chow's Table Manners has a post up right now on the issue of teaching table manners to kids. The suggestions are simple, doable, and seem to be to be eminently reasonable for both families and the people who eat with them to accept.
They cover three simple skills: eating dinner when you're at dinner, instead of playing video games, starting a food fight or otherwise screwing around; refraining from taking it as a personal threat to health and safety when offered a hated food ("no thank you" instead of "I hate broccoli!"); and not barking out orders but asking for things politely.
Now if I can just get the three year old to stop spitting things out when she doesn’t like them, we'll be golden.
