B2 – Upper Intermediate
Restaurants always value and prioritize a calm and peaceful dining experience for their diners. As easy as it may seem to achieve this, there are still some factors that hinder them. One of those would be rowdy children. As a result, a restaurant has taken an unusual step of charging parents for misbehaving kids, in order to ensure a pleasant environment for the rest of their patrons.
Read this article to learn about this restaurant’s new policy.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/restaurant-surcharge-bad-parenting_l_6543c278e4b0cde80b8bfd95
Vocabulary Questions:
- Define “at one’s disposal“. “Of course, we all have at our disposal at least one device capable of successfully pacifying our children, whether they’re stuck on an airplane or waiting for their chicken tenders.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
- What does “on the verge of” mean? “A kid who hasn’t had a nap and is basically on the verge of meltdown” isn’t going to be able to handle the demands of a restaurant as well as a contentedly well-rested child.” Make a sentence with this.
- What does “to mind one’s manners” mean? “Perhaps you remember being instructed as a child to “mind your manners.” Make a sentence with this idiom.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your thoughts on this restaurant’s idea? If you were a restaurant owner, would you implement a similar policy to maintain a peaceful atmosphere? Why/why not?
- How do you think can this policy affect the restaurant?
- Share other ridiculous rules that some places of business you know of have.
- Do you think the practice of charging extra for unruly children helps or hinders the overall dining experience for families? Explain.
- What alternative approaches could restaurants consider to address disruptive behavior by children?
- What other solutions can you think of to maintain a peaceful dining experience for all patrons without implementing such a policy?