A Restaurant Adds $50 “Unable To Parent” Fee For Out-Of-Control Kids
Toccoa Riverside Restaurant in Blue Ridge, Georgia is getting a lot of attention for something mentioned on their menu…and it’s got nothing to do with food or drinks. The restaurant is adding a fee for bad parenting!
According to a report, at the bottom, there’s a notice of an “Adult Surcharge: For Adults Unable To Parent $$$$.” Those dollar signs signify a charge the restaurant levies on families with out-of-control kids running around and ruining the dining experience for other customers or annoying the staff.
Restaurant Charges Fee For Bad Parenting?
While no specific charge is mentioned on the menu, reviews on Google show multiple customers talking about a $50 charge that they were hit with, along with advice to leave the kids at home if you’re even thinking about eating there. That’s not the only charge this restaurant is adding, however.
It seems like they really have a thing for adding extra charges wherever they can. Looking at the picture above, there’s also a non-cash adjustment. There’s also a share charge. Additionally, gratuity is also included for parties over 6 people, those who use separate checks, and the Birthday Menu. To be honest, I’m shocked that they gave away the Wi-Fi information without charging customers.
Bad Parenting Fee At Restaurant?
I also think it’s strange that they can charge for “bad parenting.” Isn’t that a little vague? What one person considers bad parenting, another may not. Seems like a very subjective term that’s loose on interpretation. Kid cries once and is that bad parenting? I feel like we’re going to need a longer list of what is and is not acceptable, if I’m at risk of paying more. Is it a one strike and you’re out type of thing? I’m going to need more details here! If you want to say “no children allowed” just say that! I’d rather you say that than the restaurant charge me a bad parenting fee.
There are several other things that bother me when I look at the picture above. First, all the charges. Secondly, how vague “bad parenting” is. Lastly, what’s up with the punctuation? Why is it put like, “No food Permitted?” Why is permitted capitalized and food isn’t? It just reads like an elementary student wrote it up.
Breaking the Silence on Holiday Season Gripes and Pet Peeves
Lines for everything
Navigating long lines during the holiday season can be an exercise in patience that even the most serene people find challenging. Whether at the grocery store, post office, or the local mall, the holiday rush seems to transform a quick errand into a long wait. A never-ending line is basically a holiday tradition in itself. Make sure your phone batteries are charged!
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Holiday music on repeat
During the holiday season, the sounds of festive music fill the air, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere. It’s all fun and games until you realize you’ve heard Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” for the hundredth time. And then there’s “Jingle Bells,” another oldie but goodie. It’s like they’re on a never-ending loop, and you can’t help but wonder if there are only three holiday songs in existence.
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Working in retail
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Shopping chaos
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Gifts
Let’s dive into gifts. It’s the perfect way to demonstrate to our loved ones that we might not have the slightest clue about their preferences, principles, or hobbies. Even worse is when you receive a gift that strikes a profound emotional chord, bringing tears to your eyes. But then, you awkwardly hand over a $25 gift card to a place the giver will probably never visit or have any use for. It’s a gift-giving conundrum that we’ve all encountered at some point.
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Holiday travel
Holiday travel presents unique challenges when the festive season is in full swing, whether you’re flying, driving, or using any other mode of transportation. The holiday rush is a reality, as travelers, often in great numbers, journey to their destinations. For instance, at airports, security lines can be incredibly long, and flights are typically operating at full capacity, or sometimes delayed.
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Awkward office parties
Office holiday parties have a knack for creating moments of both amusement and discomfort. They are the time when we willingly set aside our professional disparities, personality clashes, past workplace romances that didn’t quite pan out, competitive tensions, and various other workplace misgivings. All this to gather around with our co-workers and maybe some adult beverages, attempting to strike up friendly conversations while nibbling on homemade meatballs. It’s the one occasion where you’d better have your small talk ready. And moderate your intake, unless you want to be the subject of gossip the next day.
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Uncomfortable family dinners
Family dinners during the holiday season can take unexpected turns, turning into a theater of the awkward. Conversations can quickly veer into weird territory, be it heated debates about current events, the introduction of a new partner, or the subtle art of avoiding that one unpredictable relative who may or may not remember your family connection. Among these dynamics, there’s often an older family member who, after a few drinks, enthusiastically recounts your family history in a spirited, if slightly inebriated, manner. In these moments, you might discover surprising connections, like being loosely related to someone famous like Oprah Winfrey.
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Holiday cards
The pressure of sending out the perfect family holiday card is a holiday tradition in itself. Do you opt for the charming matching pajamas, a cozy rustic flannel theme, or perhaps the classic matching sweaters? Deciding can be a challenge, but even before you tackle that choice, your entire family must cooperate and wear the selected outfits. Then comes the meticulous process of addressing and sending out the cards, making sure not to overlook anyone. Because you definitely can’t risk your long-lost cousin not getting that family holiday card, even if you haven’t talked to them in ages.
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Elf on the shelf
Many parents have reservations about holiday traditions such as Elf on the Shelf. For some, the idea of a toy that conveys the message that children are being monitored can be unsettling. Others are uneasy with the implication that good behavior should be solely motivated by the prospect of surveillance and receiving gifts. The lead-up to Christmas is already a whirlwind for parents, and the thought of adding another task to the to-do list can be daunting. The phrase “Oh no, I forgot to do something with the elf!” is common. However, the desire to witness the pure joy and excitement on their children’s faces often propels parents to engage in these “elf escapades” and share them on social media. Even if it’s done with a bit of friendly competition in mind. Yes, that one friend on Facebook who is taking it to the extreme.
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Decorations
Holiday decorations are a bittersweet mix of joy and occasional frustration during the holiday season. The simple act of untangling the Christmas lights can turn into an Olympic-level challenge, while assembling and decorating the tree often leads to moments where you get lost in the tinsel and frantically search for the tree topper. Accidentally breaking a cherished, fragile ornament that’s been a part of the family tradition for years can be heartbreaking. Taking everything down after the festivities have ended is another task that can feel daunting. Finding the right way to store all those holiday decorations for the next year can be a puzzle in itself.
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