AITA for teaching an oblivious family how to behave in a restaurant?
Last night, my wife and I went to a chain Tex-Mex restaurant. We only eat out about once a month, since it’s so expensive in our area, and it’s supposed to be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, last night was anything but enjoyable, and I’m wondering how you think I should have handled it.
The hostess sat us down next to an incredibly annoying family, whose children did not seem to have any social skills at all. They were standing on their chairs, yelling, and seemed to have zero regard for the people around them. I saw multiple people look over at their table to figure out what was going on.
Their parents were only making half-hearted attempts to control their boys and for at least part of the time, they were glued to their cell phones. I decided that I needed to intervene and make them aware of what was going on, for the good of my fellow patrons. I leaned over and told them that their sons’ behavior was causing a ruckus and disturbing the entire restaurant. I also told them that they needed to discipline their kids, not watch cell phone videos.
I think I deserve some credit for having the courage to speak up, but I was met with dirty looks from the parents and embarrassment by my wife. When I turned to her, she was red and looking down. After we paid and left, I asked her “What would you have done?” She said “It’s a casual dining place,” like somehow that allows people to not have any decorum and to act like wild animals in public.
I reminded her that our kids were much better behaved and that if they ever tried to pull this type of behavior, even in a fast food restaurant, they would have been marched back to the car and we would have gone straight home. My wife hasn’t really said much to me since then, which I think is unfair and ridiculous. Literally, I did every person in that place, including the wait staff, a favor, yet she can’t see it. I don’t know what else she wants from me. Did I really handle this wrong? AITA?
