Controversial opinion: we should have some pubs that allow children (and actively welcome them, with playgrounds and kids’ meal deals and stuff) but also some pubs that ban them (because sometimes adults want to drink in child-free environments, and that’s a legitimate desire that is easy to fulfil), and some pubs that are in between. There should be lots of different types of social spaces, so everyone is catered for 👍
If you’ve not seen the ‘kids or dogs in pubs’ discourse I’ll seem like such a weirdo here. But basically there’s a big fight going on around various bits of the internet about whether we should let kids or dogs (or both) in pubs. And I just think... it’s absolutely fine to have a variety of spaces catering to different people.
@girlonthenet
After reading your original post I thought "how is this a controversial opinion?" but now that I've read your follow-up comment you seem less of a weirdo 😉
@girlonthenet Having kids in licensed premises is totally normal in some countries (France, Greece, Italy - probably many others). And seen as utterly abnormal in others (US, UK).
@girlonthenet@svgeesus It depends on the licensing conditions and the preference of the management. During busy times, it's easier to do an age check at the door and let the bar staff get on with their job. My local pub does this during weekend evenings but allows kids in at other times. Dogs are always allowed.
@girlonthenet There’s a pub around here that did offer childcare, so harried parents could have a moment’s peace. I remember one Saturday night there was one couple there with no kids, glaring at the kids and wincing at the noise. Look, you have literally every other pub, don’t come to the one pub we can go to and complain, okay? Okay.
@girlonthenet I agree. But the other week I was in a quiet and friendly local at the coast and watched a young mother wrangle her baby in the pram with dog on the lead inside. Ordered half a pint, sat down and that sigh of relief and respite…
@gpshewan hmmm thing is there’s no such thing as a ‘controlled family’ if you want to provide them with an environment where they can relax. Kids make noise, and parents can’t always get them to stop , and often they actually shouldnt stop, because they’re playing and having a nice time. That’s why some pubs should exist where they can do that.
@girlonthenet Cultural. I was in a pub in Rome and watched a dozen Italian kids (maybe 10-12yrs old?) have burgers and cokes and pay for their meal, then a parent collected them. Polite, manners, only occasionally loud with excitement.
Died laughing at the lad who could barely see over the bar remind the waiter what change he was expecting 🫣
In Europe kids are taught they should fit into the adult world. Not that adults need to tolerate kids no matter what.
@gpshewan tell that to a toddler, a stressed single parent of three, a family who span a much larger age bracket... what you’re doing is picking one example and expecting everyone to conform to that, which is unrealistic and unfair. Some spaces should absolutely be welcoming to children who aren’t behaving exactly as adults would, but as kids do and need to.
@girlonthenet Nope. I’m just giving a single example to show how it can work (because I thought it was brilliant at the time). I roll my eyes far less in Europe than I do in the UK or Ireland. It’s just a lived experience opinion, not a universal fact.
@girlonthenet as a parent, fully agree - as long as it's easy to work out which is which. Basically 3 categories, pubs that are always child friendly, pubs that are never child friendly, and pubs that allow children in some areas/some of the time
@flexasync exactly this. I enjoy hanging with my parent friends and their kids (while I’m drinking), and I also enjoy having adult time (while I’m drinking). We must build bridges over the one thing most important in this: drinking
@Shrigglepuss ok so genuine story: when I was young my dad and stepmum took us on holiday to a Butlins type place with caravans. It was THE NUTS! It had a small bar, next to the adult bar, FOR KIDS, where we could go and order mock tails with cartoon character pipe cleaner straws in. All inclusive. We lost our 8-year-old MINDS. Kids today should have that joy.
@girlonthenet I think you're probably better to ban behaviors than to ban classes of people. "I just prefer not to be around them" is a dangerous phrase to normalize. Also has the nice side effect of letting you kick out annoying 25 year olds.
@ferralcat some pubs have stripping in. Some have, like, darts? I don’t think it’s about kids being a class of people so much as legal and accepts activities being inappropriate around them. We also behave differently (swearing, getting drunk) if kids are not present 👍
@girlonthenet Agreed. I’ve also long believed that malls should be allowed to have bars. More people would shop if they could take a break with a pint, and/or like-minded friends.
@mister_shade02X2 do malls not have anywhere you can drink? In the uk we have pubs in/near shopping centres as fairly standard. This feels v strange to me!
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