Comments on: Will free kids meals entice you to eat out more? http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/ A daily guide to raising healthy children without going insane Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:45:21 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Staci http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/comment-page-1/#comment-6845 Staci Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:51:32 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/?p=1374#comment-6845 We have gone out for free kids meals in the past. Years ago, we'd go to Road House (steak restaurant) once or twice a month for kids free nights. But these days, money is tight and eating out in general is severely cut back. Besides that, our kids are getting to the point where 'kids meals' don't do it for them anymore. We have gone out for free kids meals in the past. Years ago, we’d go to Road House (steak restaurant) once or twice a month for kids free nights. But these days, money is tight and eating out in general is severely cut back. Besides that, our kids are getting to the point where ‘kids meals’ don’t do it for them anymore.

]]> By: Justmy2cents http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/comment-page-1/#comment-6805 Justmy2cents Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:06:15 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/?p=1374#comment-6805 We don't typically go for the free meals for the kids. At most restaurants, the kid menu consists of crappy, unhealthy foods. We order two adult entrees and split each one between 1 adult and 1 child, since portion sizes are so out of control these days. We always order water to drink as well. We all get so busy throughout the day, we don't drink enough water, plus who really needs the sugar/calories in soda anyway? Add in free refills, and most people drink more calories than they eat in their meal. No wonder America has become such a fat nation, and the South with their sweet tea and fried foods helps lead the way. Of course, I am not perfect by any means, but I do make an effort to regulate what my family eats and drinks. Everything in moderation, right? :o) We don’t typically go for the free meals for the kids. At most restaurants, the kid menu consists of crappy, unhealthy foods. We order two adult entrees and split each one between 1 adult and 1 child, since portion sizes are so out of control these days. We always order water to drink as well. We all get so busy throughout the day, we don’t drink enough water, plus who really needs the sugar/calories in soda anyway? Add in free refills, and most people drink more calories than they eat in their meal. No wonder America has become such a fat nation, and the South with their sweet tea and fried foods helps lead the way. Of course, I am not perfect by any means, but I do make an effort to regulate what my family eats and drinks. Everything in moderation, right? :o)

]]> By: HB http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/comment-page-1/#comment-6803 HB Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:46:33 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/?p=1374#comment-6803 Nothing wrong with giving a heads up to the attendant. And obviously, leaving a gooey apple core in a pocket is disgusting and intentional, and SOME people are inconsiderate and rude (as I'm sure the poor flight attendant knows too well). But you don't know that the Cheerios parents were rude or allowing their child to make a mess rather than simply having spilled a box, like the guy near me spilled a big bag of chips (also way more than 10 or 12 -- it was like the bag exploded). He was embarrassed and apologized -- what else would you have him do? I can't figure out for the life of me how one would go about trying to clean up a spilled box of cereal while in flight with no minivac or broom. Last time I dropped a pen it was all I could do to reach it to pick it up in cramped quarters! So why always assume the worst about young parents? Personally, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt if there's no clear reason to do otherwise. And no, I don't know more about turn around times than the airlines, but I do know that cleanliness and passenger comfort often compete with the company's bottom line. A dear friend of mine who has been a flight attendant for years complains that the airline she works for no longer builds enough time in the schedule for them to clean and get the plane ready for the next group, even though they KNOW more time is really needed (so they're aware and don't need me as a consultant, but thanks for the vote of confidence), because every minute on the ground costs extra money. I also read an article a few years back ranking plane cleanliness among the airlines that said planes, in general, were dirtier than in the past because airlines were booking shorter layovers to save money. It's gross and in large part, not the fault of passengers. Nothing wrong with giving a heads up to the attendant. And obviously, leaving a gooey apple core in a pocket is disgusting and intentional, and SOME people are inconsiderate and rude (as I’m sure the poor flight attendant knows too well). But you don’t know that the Cheerios parents were rude or allowing their child to make a mess rather than simply having spilled a box, like the guy near me spilled a big bag of chips (also way more than 10 or 12 — it was like the bag exploded). He was embarrassed and apologized — what else would you have him do? I can’t figure out for the life of me how one would go about trying to clean up a spilled box of cereal while in flight with no minivac or broom. Last time I dropped a pen it was all I could do to reach it to pick it up in cramped quarters! So why always assume the worst about young parents? Personally, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt if there’s no clear reason to do otherwise.

And no, I don’t know more about turn around times than the airlines, but I do know that cleanliness and passenger comfort often compete with the company’s bottom line. A dear friend of mine who has been a flight attendant for years complains that the airline she works for no longer builds enough time in the schedule for them to clean and get the plane ready for the next group, even though they KNOW more time is really needed (so they’re aware and don’t need me as a consultant, but thanks for the vote of confidence), because every minute on the ground costs extra money. I also read an article a few years back ranking plane cleanliness among the airlines that said planes, in general, were dirtier than in the past because airlines were booking shorter layovers to save money. It’s gross and in large part, not the fault of passengers.

]]> By: motherjanegoose http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/comment-page-1/#comment-6802 motherjanegoose Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:38:46 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/?p=1374#comment-6802 Oh and one other thing, if the flight attendant told the potato chip passenger not to worry about it, he or she MAY have had a minute to call the cleaning crew and give them the heads up ( while passengers were de-planing) to bring the correct tools onto the plane to get right on the mess and clean it up in a quick and efficient manner, so that the next flight could board on time. Has anyone EVER been seated in a booth ( at a restaurant) that was not wiped up correctly or food was still stuck to the table...not very pleasant and of course the wait staff is happy to take care of matters....if someone lets them know in a timely manner, which is what I hoped to do ( with the flight attendant) in the Cheerios story. I know Stan, I need to just take a breath and remind myself that I am a good enough person in that those who hired me 12 years ago ( when I started my business) are still hiring me over and over again because they LIKE me and enjoy my innovative ideas. Wow BlondeHoney and Becky agreed with me today...whooda thunk it....hahaha! Oh and one other thing, if the flight attendant told the potato chip passenger not to worry about it, he or she MAY have had a minute to call the cleaning crew and give them the heads up ( while passengers were de-planing) to bring the correct tools onto the plane to get right on the mess and clean it up in a quick and efficient manner, so that the next flight could board on time.

Has anyone EVER been seated in a booth ( at a restaurant) that was not wiped up correctly or food was still stuck to the table…not very pleasant and of course the wait staff is happy to take care of matters….if someone lets them know in a timely manner, which is what I hoped to do ( with the flight attendant) in the Cheerios story.

I know Stan, I need to just take a breath and remind myself that I am a good enough person in that those who hired me 12 years ago ( when I started my business) are still hiring me over and over again because they LIKE me and enjoy my innovative ideas.

Wow BlondeHoney and Becky agreed with me today…whooda thunk it….hahaha!

]]> By: motherjanegoose http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/comment-page-1/#comment-6801 motherjanegoose Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:32:50 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/?p=1374#comment-6801 WHO BRINGS A BIG BAG OF POTATO CHIPS ON THE PLANE ...was there dip too? HAHA! @ HB....this was more than 10 or 12 Cheerios and perhaps the airlines need you as a consultant, as you must know way more than they do about turn time etc. I am a medallion flyer and do not know enough about the specific details but do know that passengers get very testy when their flight is delayed. Cleaning time and leaving a pig pen are ( in my opinion) two different things. A gate fee is payed for the time that planes are parked at the gate and when they extend the time, there are additional fees. I am simply saying that I tried to give someone the HEADS UP so that a delay could be avoided....kind of like the way I WAIT in my seat when we are delayed into the gate here in Atlanta The flight attendants ask those who may be at their destination to kindly other passengers who are connecting to exit the plane first. Want to know that ratio....usually less than 15% and I see the ones who rushed off at the baggage turnstyle so perhaps they live here in Atlanta or maybe they are just checking out the baggage during their layover. I touched a gooey apple core left in the seat pocket of my first class seat ( while pulling out the magazine) and passed it to the flight attendant, who said...."I am so sorry, people are not neat about cleaning up after themselves and it appears to be getting worse..." Who knows maybe HB is absolutely correct and the flight attendants in first class are nuts, they probably do not know a thing about lack of manners in passengers. WHO BRINGS A BIG BAG OF POTATO CHIPS ON THE PLANE …was there dip too? HAHA!

@ HB….this was more than 10 or 12 Cheerios and perhaps the airlines need you as a consultant, as you must know way more than they do about turn time etc. I am a medallion flyer and do not know enough about the specific details but do know that passengers get very testy when their flight is delayed. Cleaning time and leaving a pig pen are ( in my opinion) two different things.
A gate fee is payed for the time that planes are parked at the gate and when they extend the time, there are additional fees.

I am simply saying that I tried to give someone the HEADS UP so that a delay could be avoided….kind of like the way I WAIT in my seat when we are delayed into the gate here in Atlanta The flight attendants ask those who may be at their destination to kindly other passengers who are connecting to exit the plane first. Want to know that ratio….usually less than 15% and I see the ones who rushed off at the baggage turnstyle so perhaps they live here in Atlanta or maybe they are just checking out the baggage during their layover.

I touched a gooey apple core left in the seat pocket of my first class seat ( while pulling out the magazine) and passed it to the flight attendant, who said….”I am so sorry, people are not neat about cleaning up after themselves and it appears to be getting worse…”
Who knows maybe HB is absolutely correct and the flight attendants in first class are nuts, they probably do not know a thing about lack of manners in passengers.

]]> By: HB http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/comment-page-1/#comment-6798 HB Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:08:12 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/?p=1374#comment-6798 I was on a trip where we hit a bump a fellow passenger's big bag of potato chips went flying EVERYWHERE. He tried cleaning up by hand as best he could in the cramped little space that is an airplane cabin these days. A flight attendant told him not to worry about it and that they would take care of it when everyone deboarded, and they had space and tools to do so. So is it possible that a box of Cheerios spilled and that parents weren't "allowing" their chidren to misbehave? On no, I forgot, in MJG's world 99% of people are inconsiderate dolts. Airlines should be responsible for building clean-up time into their schedules, so I wouldn't consider Cheerios to be the cause of a late flight. Everyone should do their best to be clean, but spills, sickness, etc happen on planes despite passengers' and crews' best efforts. I was on a trip where we hit a bump a fellow passenger’s big bag of potato chips went flying EVERYWHERE. He tried cleaning up by hand as best he could in the cramped little space that is an airplane cabin these days. A flight attendant told him not to worry about it and that they would take care of it when everyone deboarded, and they had space and tools to do so. So is it possible that a box of Cheerios spilled and that parents weren’t “allowing” their chidren to misbehave? On no, I forgot, in MJG’s world 99% of people are inconsiderate dolts. Airlines should be responsible for building clean-up time into their schedules, so I wouldn’t consider Cheerios to be the cause of a late flight. Everyone should do their best to be clean, but spills, sickness, etc happen on planes despite passengers’ and crews’ best efforts.

]]> By: motherjanegoose http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/comment-page-1/#comment-6797 motherjanegoose Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:50:45 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/?p=1374#comment-6797 @blondehoney....I was exiting an airplane this spring and SHOCKED to see a row that had Cheerios EVERYWHERE! I had never seen so many Cheerios ( out of a box) in my life. HELLO....if your kids leave this mess...YOU as the parent need to clean it up. I looked at the flight attendant and said "ROW 20 has more Cheerios in it than I have ever seen..." She looked puzzled and I told her that the cleaning crew needs a MAJOR heads up ASAP....be prepared. FYI...if even 5 rows ( on one airplane) were in such a mess THE BOARDING WOULD BE DELAYED IN ORDER TO CLEAN UP...how RUDE is it for those parents to perhaps make the next flight late with the mess their children made and they did not take the time to clean it up. So unfair to the passengers! @blondehoney….I was exiting an airplane this spring and SHOCKED to see a row that had Cheerios EVERYWHERE! I had never seen so many Cheerios ( out of a box) in my life.

HELLO….if your kids leave this mess…YOU as the parent need to clean it up. I looked at the flight attendant and said “ROW 20 has more Cheerios in it than I have ever seen…” She looked puzzled and I told her that the cleaning crew needs a MAJOR heads up ASAP….be prepared.

FYI…if even 5 rows ( on one airplane) were in such a mess THE BOARDING WOULD BE DELAYED IN ORDER TO CLEAN UP…how RUDE is it for those parents to perhaps make the next flight late with the mess their children made and they did not take the time to clean it up. So unfair to the passengers!

]]> By: Becky http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/comment-page-1/#comment-6796 Becky Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:44:07 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/?p=1374#comment-6796 @MJG, even though we have the 2 little ones, I also cannot stand being in a restaurant with children that don't behave..My 2 are 7 and they are for the most part very well behaved...They have been going to places like Olive Garden, Longhorn, Old Charley's and other restaurants like this since they were about 3..They order their own food and drinks, say thank you, please and if they have any leftover food, the boy will ask for a go box..If he sees something that he wants to try, he will ask them if he can try it.. I know that these are not really super nice restaurants (for some), but at least it's a start for them..All kids have to start somewhere and that is why we started them at such a young age..We DO NOT leave a mess when they are with us..If they make a big mess, they are made to clean it up (within reason)... @MJG, even though we have the 2 little ones, I also cannot stand being in a restaurant with children that don’t behave..My 2 are 7 and they are for the most part very well behaved…They have been going to places like Olive Garden, Longhorn, Old Charley’s and other restaurants like this since they were about 3..They order their own food and drinks, say thank you, please and if they have any leftover food, the boy will ask for a go box..If he sees something that he wants to try, he will ask them if he can try it..

I know that these are not really super nice restaurants (for some), but at least it’s a start for them..All kids have to start somewhere and that is why we started them at such a young age..We DO NOT leave a mess when they are with us..If they make a big mess, they are made to clean it up (within reason)…

]]> By: BlondeHoney http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/comment-page-1/#comment-6795 BlondeHoney Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:39:28 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/?p=1374#comment-6795 MJG, you are absolutely right on target...my boys knew that if they misbehaved out, restaurants, stores, ANYWHERE, there would be massive pain involved for them and if they ever acted up in a restaurant, just like you we would leave. Period. That's part of the price you pay for raising decent, polite human beings :) MJG, you are absolutely right on target…my boys knew that if they misbehaved out, restaurants, stores, ANYWHERE, there would be massive pain involved for them and if they ever acted up in a restaurant, just like you we would leave. Period. That’s part of the price you pay for raising decent, polite human beings :)

]]> By: motherjanegoose http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2009/08/18/will-free-kids-meals-entice-you-to-eat-out-more/comment-page-1/#comment-6794 motherjanegoose Tue, 18 Aug 2009 19:32:39 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/?p=1374#comment-6794 Oh YES...there were a few times that our kids did not behave correctly in restaurants. We signaled the wait staff and took our meal in a take out box...then had a few words with the kids. I love kids and know they are not always on their best behavior but unless parents provide the correct protocol the poor kids will never know. KIDS EAT FREE today is like WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS...not enticing for me! OOOPS wait staff ARE hurting...sorry about the grammar above... Oh YES…there were a few times that our kids did not behave correctly in restaurants. We signaled the wait staff and took our meal in a take out box…then had a few words with the kids. I love kids and know they are not always on their best behavior but unless parents provide the correct protocol the poor kids will never know. KIDS EAT FREE today is like WELCOME TO THE CIRCUS…not enticing for me!

OOOPS wait staff ARE hurting…sorry about the grammar above…

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