Every restaurant should protect ears of customers over lungs of one screaming kid

“I would think that every restaurant should protect the ears of all of its customers over the lungs of one screaming kid,” said 97.3 KIRO FM host Dori Monson. (AP Photo)

After an Atlanta restaurant posted a request that customers tend to loud or crying children outside, the move got worldwide attention, but 97.3 KIRO FM host Dori Monson said this is just common sense.

“I would think that every restaurant should protect the ears of all of its customers over the lungs of one screaming kid,” said Monson, speaking to Donnie Parmer, the owner of Atlanta’s Grant Central restaurant.

Access Atlanta posted the message on the menu:

Dear all present and future patrons: GCP is proud of its reputation as a family restaurant, a title that we will work to keep. Unfortunately a number of our diners have posted unpleasant experiences because of crying and unsupervised children. To ensure that all diners have an enjoyable lunch or dinner with us we respectfully ask that parents tend to their crying tots outside.

Parmer tells Monson he’s not doing this as an attack on children.

“We understand kids are going to be kids. We just want to see parents make an effort to be a parent and good neighbors to the people they’re eating next to.”

Listen to Dori Monson conversation with restaurant owner Donnie Parmer

Monson said when his girls were young he and his wife always tried to consider other patrons.

“When my kids were little my wife and I would never let them scream in a restaurant. We’d always take them outside if they started screaming because it’s just the right thing to do,” said Monson. “I’m a little amazed at the number of people who don’t do that.”

Parmer said he’s seen both sides of the coin, sometimes parents do an excellent job handling their children, and other folks seem to turn the other way.

“I’ve seen them put blinders on and expect them to take care of themselves,” said Parmer. “If the crying continues on or there is a lot of running around, we just encourage parents to do the right thing and be polite to people around them.”

Parmer said it’s his responsibility to preserve the dining experience for everyone.

“I want them to be able to go out and enjoy their dinner. That is my responsibility to make sure that happens.”

By JAMIE GRISWOLD, MyNorthwest.com Editor