Most families enjoy going out to a restaurant for any of the meals they may consume during a day. What some parents struggle with, however, is getting their children to behave in this type of environment. Parents will do well to teach their children some restaurant etiquette starting at a very young age if they want to enjoy this type of food experience in the future.
Hands Off
One of the first rules to incorporate when dining out is to make sure the children refrain from playing with the everyday items that are on the table. This includes the cutlery and condiment holders. To help combat this problem, it is a good idea for the parents to take along some small activities to keep the children busy while waiting for their food. Many restaurants have combated this problem by providing the kids with a few crayons and colouring sheets.
Staying Seated
It can be very challenging for the parents of children who insist on leaving their seats. This is also distracting for the other patrons. It can also create a safety hazard for the serving staff. This is a rule that should be strictly enforced. To help with this choose a restaurant that is not overly busy as this can extend the wait times for the food delivery, and young children can find this hard to cope with.
Using the Inside Voice
Children cannot be expected to sit silently in a restaurant setting. However, reminding them to use their inside voice will help to keep the noise volume to a minimum. This is being mindful of the others who are using the restaurant facilities. Nobody wants to be sitting beside a child who is being loud and boisterous when they are trying to enjoy their meal.
Teaching restaurant etiquette really starts with setting similar rules at home during meal times. If the children learn to adapt to them in the home setting, they will easily apply them in the restaurant setting.