There are several types of sounds I find. Noise is that sound that is unwelcome and irritating which certainly doesn't go with dining. Going to a bar for a sports event or just to have a drink one expects a certain noisy environment. OTOH if I'm out with my lady for a dining experience a crying baby or wailing nasal western music is simply out of place. On the other hand a gurgling giddy giggling baby is a sound of delight.
I remember, a few years ago, going to a local TGI Fridays. Don't know if the restaurant still has them or not, but there were small TV's on some tables. We sat at one. Had to pay to watch tv, but it was pretty cool to us. Thing is, I went over to the waitress stationed and told a our waitress how neat I thought it was that there was a color tv on our table. She didn't share my enthusiasm at all. She said, "if people want to watch tv while they eat, they should just stay at home, order a pizza and watch tv. When here with family and/or friends, they should be talking with each other, not watching tv." I told her, "I'm sure the restaurant manager wouldn't agree with you." She said, "I don't really care!" I didn't say anything to the manager, but knew this young lady wouldn't be working here long.
To each their own, but I agree with the waitress- why go out for a meal with people and not interact with them? On the flip side of the same coin, though: the need to be perpetually entertained- I don't think it's healthy.
Here again, are we, the members of this forum, talking too old? I mean, I know there are certain things "Baby Boomer" and older have an extremely hard time handling/accepting in today's world, but either we "fit in" or........
It would seem that Mickey D's in Colorado has come up with a solution to Everyone's noise problems. McDonalds Corp. have approved the dismantling of the kiddie areas in the Colorado stores and is turning them into areas which one can have their burger and fries while smoking a doobie. If I remember correctly, back in my days of " not inhaling" I didn't care what kind of music was playing or how loud. If a bomb went off I would have probably nearly slept through it. hmmm.....come to think about it, I really did sleep through a couple of mortar and rocket attacks at head camp in the Nam.
We have some fine restaurants here in my little town but some are so noisy you can't carry on a normal conversation and at another kids run wild. I suppose some parents like that but I think they need their own sound proof dining area, sorta of out of sight and out of mind. But I don't go there no mo.
Age should provide some privilege just as does youth. Seniors as a rule aren't attending youth oriented events or venues. Age determines where we CHOOSE to fit in and that's as it should be. I may 'put up' with some things but if I choose not to or where I draw the line that's my prerogative (and always was). The scope of my acceptance of things has narrowed as my time is now more valued. I'm not crotchety but I am more selective and choosy now of where and what I do, AND I expect those I come in contact with to understand that RHIP (with rank goes privilege.) https://www.waywordradio.org/rhip_1/
Whatever happened to adult dining? I remember there use to be restaurants that didn't serve children, or if they did it was only on weekends. Did that get waylaid by Children's Rights as have many other issues. No wonder today's kids think they're privileged. THEY ARE!!!
Same thing that's happened to a number of things from the past......stopped. The word "discrimination" covers most changes. Discrimination against families w/kids, etc., etc. that people can sue others for. But, luckily, there are still some fine dining restaurants where kids aren't brought to. IOW, Seniors want what they want, same goes for young adults, families and kids.
So true Cody, but do we have to be the ones at the bottom of the list? When I was younger, we were always taught to respect our elders, and their opinions, or to at least keep our mouths shut because of that respect. It was considered disrespectful to contradict our elders. Not anymore, you're lucky if you don't receive the bird.