The owner of a restaurant obviously had enough of the children in this group and took sanctions.
Will you soon have to pay more if you go to a restaurant with your family? No, this is not a joke but a very serious question asked in the United States after an experience in a famous restaurant in the south of the country, in Georgia. It all started with a testimony, that of a man from Florida who described his experience at Toccoa Riverside Restaurant as a “nightmare.” What started as a meal with family and friends turned into a viral controversy on social media, leading to numerous comments.
The restaurant, described as a chalet with a terrace overlooking the river, has a generally positive reputation. The father and his group, made up of five families and eleven children under the age of eight, were surprised when they were told that they would have to pay a fine on their bill for “bad parenting”. This policy, apparently in place since the pandemic, targeted adults unable to control their children.
The man initially made a joke, an impression shared by other customers who expressed their dissatisfaction on the Internet at being labeled “bad parents”. This fine, a sort of surcharge, was a fixed amount of 50 dollars (or more than 45 euros), and was indicated in small print at the bottom of the menu, several customers said.
This surcharge policy provoked a strong reaction. Other parents also affected by this type of fine defended their children’s behavior, saying they were calm or busy with their tablets. Others reported negative experiences, such as being publicly reprimanded for rocking a baby in public or being advised to go to Burger King for dinner instead of going to such quieter establishments.
The restaurant’s decision sparked heated debate in the region and then across the country. Some Internet users applauded the initiative, arguing that too often parents do not control their children, spoiling the experience for other customers. Others criticized the move, saying it was too harsh and went against traditional southern hospitality.
The owner, for his part, explained that this surcharge was more of a warning than a common practice. He stressed that he never actually enforced it, aiming instead to encourage parents to be more attentive. That said, the policy has clearly indicated a course of action that the restaurant wishes to see respected from now on.
This story reflects the growing tension around children’s behavior in public spaces and how businesses are responding. While some applaud a stricter approach, others call for more tolerance and understanding for families with children.