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True story:
A few months ago (6-8 months, I think) I was eating at Tarantino's up in San Francisco, and some couple was letting their 5 or so year old son mess with the waiters as they walked by. When one of the waiters said something to the kid - something like "go see mommy", in order to get the kid away - the kid screamed bloody murder and ran to his parents. I watched in horror as the child said, "That man tried to hit me!" or something to that effect. The father, ready to defend his son's non existant honor, got all huffy and puffy, demanding an apology and such. The waiter calmly explained that he never touched the kid and simply said to go back to the table. This is when it got bad. The father started telling the waiter how he had no right to tell his kid what to do. He got loud. I was about to go do something self rightous when the waiter calmly asked them to leave. After more huffing and puffing, they were gone and the waiter was given an ovation from many of the remaining people, including my wife and myself.
This is not uncommon. Not only are some kids monsters in public places, but their parents have a chip on their shoulder about being bothered by people "who don't have kids". I have a beautiful daughter who will on occasion get excited or tired (and thus loud) in a public place. I simply take her outside or home so that she can get the attention and/or rest that she needs. When I see an irresponsible parent losing control of his or her kid(s), I get pissed just like everyone else. If you can't control more than a few kids, don't bring the whole pack. If you can't control one kid, you need to step it up a bit.
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