Kids are unpredictable; they test our patience and cause a scene in the most unlikely places. But as parents one of our many jobs is to teach them how to behave properly in public.
One way of doing this is to take them to public places, like restaurants, and show them how to sit properly and not scream and shout.
But at a chain restaurant in Minnesota, it seems the management decided they only wanted “properly trained” children, and any that weren’t behaving properly “would be asked to leave”.
Surprising notice posted on door
Customers entering Arby’s in Minnesota last month were met with this surprising notice.
“Only well behaved children who can keep their food on their trays and their bottoms on their seats are welcome. If you can’t do this you will be asked to leave,” the sign read.
When mom of five Christine Hemsworth saw the sign she was shocked and immediately snapped a picture which she shared on Facebook.
She also decided to call Arby’s hotline to address the issue with the management.
“I’m not a complainer — I’m really not,” she told TODAY. “But this just didn’t sit well with me. The manager could have addressed the message to people individually, not assigned it to the general public.”
Toddlers in training
Her post went viral and was eventually picked up by a number of news outlets.
As an experienced parent of toddlers she’s seen it all and toddlers out in public aren’t always the best behaved but she said it wasn’t a reason not to take them to eat out.
“During that time when they’re, ya’ know, 1 to 3, they’re training — learning, exploring and sometimes they might dump some fries out to see what happens,” Christine told TODAY. “All these people saying, ‘Control your kids!’ It’s not a matter of controlling, it’s a matter of redirecting and telling them it’s wrong.”
Arby’s apologizes
Arby’s has since issued a statement apologizing for the sign, according to TODAY.
“We recognize the language on this sign was insensitive. We removed it quickly, and have disciplined the manager and team working at the restaurant. It does not reflect our company values and the family-friendly environment we aim to provide in all of our restaurants,” a spokesperson told TODAY.
Find out more in the clip below.
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