Many chain restaurants seem to get critically seared. While I'm not a big fan of the Darden Corporation that has owned Red Lobster and the Olive Garden, but during our last visit to a local OG over the weekend, it wasn't anything the restaurant did that really irritated us. The incessant screaming of a toddler is a nuisance, even in a noisy and crowded restaurant. However, the reaction of the parents proved to be the true annoyance. They were right next to us. At one point, the child let out a bloodcurdling shriek. Do you think either parent seemed the least bit embarrassed? Was there any attempt to take the child out of the restaurant at least for a little time out? No, they responded by giving their kid soothing attention which only encouraged her to repeat the bad behavior. Do they really need a degree in psychology to know they're reinforcing the screaming pattern? No sooner did they leave when another party came in with a younger child with an equally healthy set of lungs. The adults carried on as if nothing was wrong.
I've also witnessed scenes at fast food places where parents were completely oblivious and even gave in to their kids acting like completely spoiled brats. One time when an older couple asked some unruly hell-raisers to stop running running all over the place, the kids' parents actually told the seniors to mind their own business. Another time, a hyperactive screamer repeatedly demanding ice cream got his wish. Forget the rest of us for a moment. Will these clueless parents ever learn to stop rewarding actions that especially drive them crazy?
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