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Tonight we stopped in a local restaurant for dinner out. There was a table of teenage boys talking loudly, which was fine, we were seated at the only table open which was next to them. After a few minutes the boys were jumping up and down, throwing salt from salt shakers at each other. Then proceeeded to try and toss wads of napkins into each other''s mouths from across the table. Sitting across the room at the bar counter sat a woman watching the scene unfold. As it become more disruptive we were able to get up and move to a vacated table, the woman watched us move giving us a dirty look. As the teens got rowdier we noted one come over and talk to her calling her " mom". The business staff was busy with orders and were also watching the teens but seemed afraid to say anything, one staff member came by our table and apologized for the noise. The mother was in ear shot and obviously heard but again we got a glare. The group was finally served and when they left it was obvious it was a boys softball team. Since our table was situated at an exterior window as they drove away the mother again gave a discusted look to us. We were taken aback yes by the teens behaviour but more by the mothers constant glaring since we said or did nothing to complain. At the time. She obviously knew they were being disruptive but didn't want to take a step to allow others to enjoy their meal. Since we have six children we were " amused" that she just sat there across the room from them but glared at us for moving away from them . Left us thinking rather than be glared at we should just have cancelled our order and left.  
I wonder what others would have done in our place?  
 
Edited by Joglow, 2017-05-05 21:20:05

I would have done the same as you plus a few nasty glares back at her. I try to stay away from confrontation, it's just my personality.  
 
At the risk of sounding old fashioned, she is the reason why most youth have no respect anymore. No discipline. There is no way my child would have gotten away with that.

I would have said something to these teenagers, I'm out for dinner. This was not a Chucky Cheese restaurant I'm assuming. If that so-called mother said anything to me, I'd give her my piece of mind as well.. Don't have a lot of patience for immaturity

How was it obvious as they drove off that it was a softball team?! Just curious

I was wondering the same thing, there isn't any softball in Brandon for boys anymore, with the exception of t ball which would make these kids 4-5 yrs old if they played "softball" and that would explain the behaviour because it's going to be loud and rowdy outside of the play structure at McDonald's

Maybe all of us that play softball are just obnoxious in restaurants. So that would give it away. But I have seen soccer teams, hockey teams and all the other sports teams with young kids act the same way, criticize the parent not the sport.

Went out this evening as well and had the unpleasantness of going thru a buffet line with a hockey team! Teenage girls this time but still the lack of respect for anyone but themselves. No adult around to help keep some organization with the team at all. I actually thought to myself I wonder if a boys team would have been this disrespectful!! Maybe it's just the day and age now with kids but I played competitively in 2 sports as a kid and we were taught respect and discipline as part of our team representation!! Common sense really IMO but sadly common sense isn't so common anymore!

Well you're better folks then I am lol..I would have after the second glare asked her point blank if was going to bother parenting them or not? Nothing worse than ignorant people who feel they're in the right lol...

On this other woman you wrote about. Was she with the kids or just another customer?

Isn't that like some comments on eBrandon. Could these kids drive???  
People I think you missed the point these young people lack Respect maturity discipline.....

When the boys all finally left as they walked by we saw they were all wearing the same ball uniform.

Yes the woman sitting there glaring at us was the parent of one of the boys and the driver as they all piled in her SUV outside

The post was not meant to criticize any group at all just saying it was a sports team I also didn't note the South Eastern Manitoba Steel Town or name of the team. I wasn't knocking anyone expect maybe her parenting skills or lack there of. The " boys" obviously have no regard for others or the business property. More of a question on how others would react. But since you brought it up I have a business as well that deals with teams and parents, the parents are usually far worse than the kids. Leaving them unattended while they party and the kids run wild. Not all teams but the majority of parents are just out to party and have no reguard for others.

Would have handled the situation is similar to the OPer. I would likely have moved too.  
 
I possibly would have asked the serving staff to ask the kids to calm down but may have been putting him or her in an awkward situation.  
 
Tough call.

It can be frustrating when you're trying to enjoy a meal out. Do you not remember being young and doing the exact same thing?

There are different tolerance levels depending on different people. One person's discomfort might be another's tolerance.  
 
If it's true that throwing salt from the salt shakers toward each other in a restaurant while a parent is watching, that is disrespectful.  
 
If it were bad, no matter how busy the restaurant, there is nothing stopping any seated nearby customers from quietly going to the front of the house and asking nicely if the kids could be calmed down a bit, as they are throwing salt at one another and stuffing each other's mouths with napkins. If the staff member came by and apologized like you mentioned, why not mention quietly you have an issue with the teens?  
 
There are always going to be parents thinking their snowflakes can do no wrong. No sense in fretting about the Mom. If Mom is not doing anything and the situation is getting too much, why not discreetly let the restaurant manager know? If it's a good restaurant, they want to rectify the situation. I'm sure if the restaurant itself handled the kids in a nice, diplomatic way (never mind the absent Mom), they would have shaped up.  
 
I would have quietly approached the front of the house or let the server know and let them know the kids need calming down in a very nice way.

Yes, we were all teenagers at one time and likely did stupid things, but I can tell you any team that I was on in the day had chaperones or coaches or parents and this kind of behaviour would definitely not have been allowed. Once when Bonanza was still around we sat next to four kids (teenagers) that had the unlimited shrimp and they only half the shrimp and continually ordered more until finally the manager told them "no more". What a waste !!! Their plates were piled a foot high !! Kids these days don't seem to have the manners and respect we used to-at least the ones I see.

A coach, this would be embarrassing if this was my team, however I would not stand for this on my team, but as a coach it is difficult because instead of parents being involved and making our lives easier by helping out and score keeping or keeping kids in order they look at it as 2 hrs of baby sitting, and they stuff their faces in their phones, before I started coaching if my kid wasn't listening I said something. It falls on the coaches all the time, and on my team if your kid is not listening he rides the sidelines, if ( the parent don't like it) they're both welcome to leave. It's just tough to coach without any parental support, this year I'm blessed awesome kids and awesome parents.

Great to see coaches out there that are willing to try coach the sport as well as be a mentor for what's acceptable behaviour. Hats off to you. I hope there are more out there like you!  
It used to be that it was about the sport and team building, and when you went someplace you were an ambassador of your team and town. Now it seems it's all about just winning and who cares what anyone thinks?

Actually my parents would never have allowed that type of behaviour. We were taught to respect the property of the business owner , as well as allow others to enjoy their meals that they paid for in peace.

justme said "It can be frustrating when you're trying to enjoy a meal out. Do you not remember being young and doing the exact same thing? "

I certainly remember being young and going to restaurants. However.....I did not ever behave in a disruptive or inconsiderate manner. It just was simply not tolerated by my parents or grandparents. We just knew better.  
 
Please do not excuse poor manners because “they are children.” If they do not learn to be considerate of others at a young age, then when and how will they learn?

"you will go sit in the car" and I knew that was not a joke.

Joglow said "Actually my parents would never have allowed that type of behaviour. We were taught to respect the property of the business owner , as well as allow others to enjoy their meals that they paid for in peace. "

Why not approach the management nicely if the teenagers were being goofy?  
 
You may well know the preference of business owners...If you are not happy, tell them upfront first. Most of the time they will want to make things right.

Reminds me of the time we were staying at a hotel in Winnipeg for a few nights and there was a hockey tournament going on. The kids ran around the hotel liked they owned the place while the parents were no where to be found. Annoying situation to be in for sure.