General Etiquette > Family and Children

Is looking rude?

(1/5) > >>

mrsbrandt:
I know people think that it's rude for a child (2-4) to stand up in a booth and stare at people who are eating.  My daughter is 2 and we don't ever allow her to stand or get out of her high chair, unless she's sitting in my or DH's lap.  She does have the habit of staring at other diners though.  She'll keep her bottom planted firmly in her seat, but spend time looking at other people.  She doesn't try to talk to them or anything else, but just enjoys watching what they're doing.  Sometimes other diners try to interact with her, which I'd prefer they didn't (means less eating happens) - but it's never a big deal. 

DH and I try to make her face forward, but how do we work on correcting our 2 year old when she wants to look at other people?  And is it rude if a child is looking at you, but staying put in their seat and not trying to speak/interact with you?

FWIW DD never goes anywhere fancy with us, so this might happen at a pizza place or Mexican restaurant, but never at fine dining establishments.

IndianInlaw:
How about telling her what she CAN do?

"Look at Mommy"

mrsbrandt:
We try to look at mommy and look at daddy bit, but it gets old for a two year old after a little while.  She doesn't spend the majority of the meal or anything looking at other people and we do bring more than enough to keep her occupied - she just likes looking at other people.  It's really kinda embarassing for us.

Shoo:
I don't think it's rude for your 2 y.o. to look at others in a restaurant.  Honestly, I can't imagine there's anything you can do to stop her.  Think about how many new and exciting things there are for a little one to see.  So many people talking and laughing.  Shiny things everywhere.  I have a hard time myself not looking around and staring at everyone else.

I suppose if you and your dh actively engage your dd in conversation to keep her attention focused, you might be able to keep her eyes on you and your table for a limited amount of time.  But, in my experience, nothing will be more attention grabbing than what's going on in the restaurant around her.  As she gets older, she'll naturally become more focused on what's right in front of her.  Til then ... not much you can do.

IndianInlaw:
May I interject here?  Once my son and I went out to UNO's for pizza.  The little girl (about 2) at the next table was so enthralled by my son.  She kept looking and looking at him.  He didn't mind and I thought it was funny.

When we had to leave, I apologized to her for taking him away.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page