Restaurants were chosen by most people as a place where they encountered an uncomfortable circumstance (image via: The Korea TImes)

“No Kids Zone” at restaurant – Yes or No?

A recent survey from Embrain revealed that 60.9 percent of 1,000 people from 19 to 59-year-old have experienced an uncomfortable situation because of the behaviour of children at dining place and other "public" places at least once.

Restaurants were chosen by most people as a place where they encountered an uncomfortable circumstance followed by coffee shops, subways, movie theatres and supermarkets.  

Mr Park, a 31-year-old, shared his unpleasant experience because of children when visited a steak restaurant near his home. He said there were 3 children around first or second year in elementary school running around the place out of control.  

People at the restaurant gave them a black look but the parent did not care, they just enjoying their own conversation, as Mr Park said.     

He added the children became noisy again even after the restaurant’s manager had politely asked the parents to keep their children under control. 

According to the survey, the other 75 percent said they understand that parents may be oblivious if their children disturb other people, but parent’s control were necessary to stop kids from bother others. 

Regarding the issue, 66.1 percent people concurred on the necessity for “no kid zones” at restaurants and coffee shops. In addition, 75 percent respondents said customers have the right to eat and enjoy a cup of coffee comfortably. 

Mrs Cho, 32-year-old mother also agreed with the idea of having “no kid zones” inside restaurants. She said sometimes she felt uncomfortable when people stared at her and her kids when the children act out of control.

The Embrain’s data showed parents with a child under 13 have felt uneasy about their children possibly disturb other people at restaurants and coffee shops. 

However, a refusal came from Mrs Kim, she disagreed with the zone, saying it was an act of discrimination and an overreaction. She said not all children annoy people at public places.

The need for “No Kids Zone” at restaurants still becomes a controversy. Restaurants have to maintain a convenient atmosphere for customers to prevent complaints from them who visit without children. Most people feel it is shop owners' right to make the decision on whether to refer their store as no kids zone. 

Source: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/06/281_269829.html