A restaurant fines customers for damage caused by their children
If you thought the recurring controversy over the "social scourge" of unruly children in restaurants was an Italian specialty, think again: we've already reported how an ever-increasing number of English publicans are no longer welcoming children into their establishments, citing tales worthy of popular uprisings, and now the issue is moving overseas.
Specifically, in a quiet town in the San Francisco Bay Area, Foster City, a Chinese restaurant called Chez Xue has entered the debate head-on, garnering over 1.7 million views on social media. It all started with a notice posted by owner You You Xue, who decided to set strict rules for young guests and their parents.
Child fines?
The notice, originally posted over a year ago but only recently gone viral, reads: “Please supervise your children. Chez Xue is a family-friendly restaurant. However, we are not a playground. Please ensure that children REMAIN SEATED at all times and are respectful of other guests and the dining environment. Running, yelling, clanging with cutlery, etc. WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Guests who do not comply with this policy may be asked to leave. We will hold parents financially responsible for all damages caused by their children to restaurant property.”
Despite the outcry, You You Xue explained that his comment wasn't meant to be provocative: "Our intention wasn't to start some sort of debate." For the restaurateur, it's a matter of order and safety, given that he's recently noticed a deterioration in children's behavior and a growing lack of responsibility among parents. "The policy is dictated by common sense, and the reaction is a bit confused," Xue added, firmly emphasizing that "This isn't a fine. It's about fundamental respect."
The reasons behind this decision stem from specific incidents that Xue describes with concern. She recalled children running between tables "as if it were a racetrack" while waiters carried bowls of boiling soup, flaming pots, and sharp knives. In other cases, young customers climbed onto outdoor umbrellas or carved designs into custom-made wooden tables, all under the eyes of uninterrupted parents. One of the most egregious incidents involved a parent changing their child's diaper right on the dining table, alongside other customers. On another occasion, a child knocked over a credit card terminal, destroying it, forcing the parents to pay $327.
"We've had to force parents' hands a few times or threaten legal action," Xue admitted, explaining that "Most parents would simply avoid it in the first place." Etiquette expert Diane Gottsman also weighed in on the issue, agreeing with the owner: "No customer wants to eat at the table of another customer who just changed a diaper on the table, regardless of whether it was previously cleaned or not. It's simply unhygienic, unappetizing, and can damage the business."
Developmental professional Jan Goss sees the restaurant as an educational opportunity: "Children need these opportunities to learn how to function in public spaces," adding, "It's all about respect. It's not restrictive. Respect allows everyone to enjoy the same space." For Goss, the restaurant environment can be "a great teaching moment that benefits children for the rest of their lives."
Despite the strict rules, Chez Xue intends to remain a family-friendly establishment. The owner clarified that 98% of the children are well-behaved and has no intention of banning minors. His goal is to target only those behaviors that risk ruining others' experiences: "It's actually the parents who aren't doing their job. We won't let a few ruin everything for the many," he concluded, reiterating his desire to be forthright with the public: "I'm not trying to be patronizing. I'm just trying to be transparent with my customers."