When it comes to dining out, most families understand the importance of good manners and respectful behavior. However, there are times when certain families push the boundaries of acceptable conduct, leaving fellow diners shocked and appalled. In this collection of stories, diners recount the rudest and most outrageous behaviors they’ve witnessed from families in restaurants.
From disruptive children and entitled parents to obnoxious demands and disregard for staff and other patrons, these stories shed light on the audacious behavior that can unfold in public dining spaces. Prepare to be astounded as we delve into the experiences of diners who have encountered the epitome of rudeness and entitlement.
These stories serve as a reminder that even in a shared dining environment, respect, consideration, and common courtesy should never be forgotten.
All content has been edited for clarity.
You Have To Call Those People Out
“My son and I were eating lunch in a busy restaurant; the serving staff were being run off their feet but were consistently friendly and helpful.
The customers at the table next to us paid their bill with a credit card. They then got up and left, leaving a fairly generous cash tip on the table.
Before the waitress had had time to clear the table, a family – judging by the age difference – a couple with their 2 grandchildren – sat at the table (despite a sign just inside the door of the restaurant asking customers to wait to be seated). While they were waiting, the adult male signaled to the children, indicating the £10 note on the table and gesturing at them to pick it up and pocket it – which one of them duly did.
Shortly after this, the waitress came to their table to take their drinks order. My son called over to the waitress, ‘Did you find the £10 note your last customer left for you?’
At this, grandad, his face the color of beetroot, took out a tenner from his wallet, threw it on the table and the group stormed out without saying another word.
When we paid, we made sure we gave the waitress her well-deserved tip in person.”
He Didn’t Speak A Single Lie
“I was out to lunch with my fiancee, and we went to a pricier seafood place in Wilmington, NC where we lived. It was summertime and had a nice patio to sit outside and eat. There was a table with a large crowd and two tables with a couple plus us at another. The large table had six (6) children and they were just running around screaming like banshees.
When the servers came over, we asked if anything was going to be done, she explained that the parents had been letting them do this for over half an hour now. There was no manager there to intervene. We then asked to be seated outside. The other two tables saw what we did and followed us outside also. We all bonded over this and were making jokes about it. Not five (5) minutes later, you guessed it, the door opened, or should I say the gates of hell opened and the demons poured out. When the first toy flew at my lady, I had enough. I went in PISSED.
I told the whole table to get the F&%$ up and get the kids under control. It is not our job to watch them. They are running around crazy and throwing toys at the adults outside and just missed my fiancee. If she gets hit, I will take it out on each and everyone one of you. This is a fing restaurant, not a playground.
They gave me some looks but when they saw the look in my eyes, I think they knew I was not joking. One of them got up and rounded up the hellspawn and brought them in and they sat quietly the rest of the time we were there. I received a standing applause from the other couples when I went back outside and our meal was comped by the waitress with a big smile and thank you. We did leave her a nice tip. On the way out I told them they should be ashamed for letting their kids run around like that. The waitress giggled at the register as we walked out the door.
People, no one wants to watch your kids at restaurants. We are not your babysitters. They are your problems, not ours. Just because you go out does not mean that you are off duty.
And if your baby starts crying really loud in church, a restaurant, or the movie theater, go outside till they calm down. Why do you feel I need to be bothered by your child? There was a time when common courtesy was the rule of law. What happened to that?”
How Could They Possibly Think That Was Okay?
“A woman came in with her daughter and granddaughter. They sat at a large booth that had a mirrored wall behind it.
The family ordered their food (the little girl had spaghetti and meatballs) and began eating. I was in another section of the diner, but they were clearly visible.
The little girl took a few bites, then proceeded to pick up the spaghetti with her hands and smear it all over the mirror behind her. She then picked up a meatball and threw it at the mirror. When it didn’t stick, she picked it up and smashed it into the mirror.
The girl was sitting (standing, really) between mom and grandma. Neither did anything to stop her! As people from their section were leaving, they complained to the manager. It was a busy night, so the manager took a while to get to this family, but the mess was so bad, she actually threw them out. There was not only spaghetti, sauce, and meatball all over the mirror, it was all over the table, floor, and booth!
The family was brought their check and asked to leave since at this point, they were done eating and were just talking as the kid was making more of a mess. When she ran out of spaghetti, she started ‘painting’ with her chocolate milk.
These jerks had the nerve to complain and say they were going to give the diner a bad review on Yelp stating that the management hated kids!
They were banned from the diner, but they tried to come back when that particular manager wasn’t in. It didn’t work since the owner was told about them. Apparently, this was not the first time they made a mess like this, but this was the worst.”
Please Just Watch Your Kids
“At my local Thai, there is a waiting area for takeaway customers. Behind the counter is the restaurant area.
I was waiting for my banana dessert next to a blind woman and her guide dog.
Two shrieking children ran out of the restaurant area toward the ‘puppy.’ One of them actually hugged it.
The parents did nothing. They could see quite clearly that it was a guide dog. They just shrugged, smiled sheepishly, and waved at the woman, as if that made up for the kids’ actions. I did mention she was blind, didn’t I?
The dog sat there, stoically, as the little kids petted it and played with its ears.
I got up and started walking toward their table, ‘Errr, excuse me.’ They quickly called the kids over. I sat back down.
Then they gave the kids some prawn crackers and sent them back to the foyer! The dog ignored the prawn crackers and the children. It was clearly more responsible than those parents.
You might be thinking that these parents are the dumbest, most oblivious people on Earth. I thought exactly the same thing.
But no. They knew exactly what they were doing. They wanted a break from their kids and didn’t give a rat’s arse what effect it had on a blind stranger and her dog.
How do I know this?
A highway patrol car pulled up and two cops walked in to pick up their dinner.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people run so fast. The parents bolted over and picked up their ankle biters, ‘OOOH! You aren’t allowed to touch guide dogs! Naughty!’
One of the constables looked down at the dog’s feet, then glared at the horrible couple.
‘Where did these prawn crackers crumbs come from?’
The blind woman laughed out loud.”
He Was A Very Passionate Man
“Once at a restaurant in downtown Los Angeles, a family of 13 people walked in. There were 3 adults and 10 children ranging from about 8 to 18 years of age.
All but 2 of the older children were speaking a different language other than English, and it was clear that none of them were from the area.
The family starts ordering several dishes for the table, and the adults order multiple rounds of vodka and beer for themselves. They eat and drink peacefully while listening to the live music being performed.
Then the check arrives, and the oldest child (~18 y/o) puts down her credit card to be charged. The waiter picks it up, charges the bill, and brings it back. Before she was able to take her card back and sign the bill, one of the adults snatches it and immediately stands up and starts yelling throughout the entire restaurant.
The music stops, and everybody turns their chairs while this man is shouting, ‘TIP ON TAX!!! TIP ON TAX!!! MANAGER, MANAGER!!!’
The oldest child tries to understand what he is yelling about and immediately apologizes to the waiter and manager.
Apparently, the man shouting was drunk and misread the bill. He claimed that they were being charged a tip with the tax included. This could have easily and calmly been resolved; however, his intoxication caused a mad scene at this restaurant.
Luckily they left shortly after and the music continued to play.
Oh, and by the way, this family was mine. I was the oldest child and the man was my drunk Russian grandpa.”
