Dining out can be quite a challenge for parents, especially when it comes to managing their kids’ behavior in public. Unfortunately, one couple recently found themselves in an uncomfortable situation at a restaurant in North Georgia. They claim they were “fined” for what the owner considered “poor parenting.” Let’s dive into the details and see what really happened.
The Toccoa Riverside Restaurant, located outside of Blue Ridge, stirred up quite a debate when it implemented a policy of charging parents extra for poorly behaved children. A customer took to Reddit to share their disappointing experience, stating, “The owner came out and told me he was adding $50 to my bill because of my children’s behavior.”
Naturally, this sparked a lot of controversy online. People were divided on whether it was fair to charge parents for their kids’ behavior. However, the restaurant owner, Tim Richter, decided to set the record straight. He revealed that while the restaurant had added a surcharge during the COVID-19 pandemic to cover costs, no one had actually been charged extra due to their children’s behavior.
Richter explained that he had never enforced the surcharge until a few weeks ago when a family with nine children visited his establishment. The children were running around, disrupting the calm ambiance that the restaurant is known for. Richter had warned the parents but had never actually charged them the additional fee.
“We want parents to be parents,” Richter stated simply. The Toccoa Riverside Restaurant prides itself on providing a peaceful dining experience amidst the scenic beauty of the mountains along the Toccoa River. The establishment is no stranger to popularity, with cars lining the roadside during meal times.
Customers had mixed reactions to this policy. Laura Spillman, visiting from Florida, couldn’t believe it when she heard about the surcharge. She exclaimed, “That is crazy! I don’t think you should do it because kids are cute.” On the other hand, Anne Cox, enjoying her lunch with family, believed that such a fee might encourage parents to teach their children proper etiquette and behavior.
Federico Gambineri, dining with his toddler, expressed his surprise at this policy, hoping not to be charged. He said, “I feel that if I were charged, I would be very unhappy about it and probably never recommend the place to somebody.” Regular customer Jack Schneider, having never heard of the surcharge, had mixed emotions. While he understood the frustration of sitting near disruptive children, he believed the responsibility ultimately lies with the parents.
What are your thoughts on this debate? Should parents be fined for their children’s behavior at restaurants? We’d love to hear your opinion in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this article with others to get their two cents on the situation.
