Couple says restaurant fined them for ‘poor parenting’ – the restaurant owner then reveals the truth
An alleged “parenting fine” caused a stir at Georgia’s Toccoa Riverside Restaurant. A customer’s claim, “The owner told me he was adding $50 to my bill due to my children’s behavior,” sparked a vigorous internet dispute.
“We had never actually fined a customer for their children’s behavior,” restaurant owner Tim Richter clarified. While they did issue a warning to a particularly troublesome family, they levied a surcharge during COVID-19.
Reactions from the general population were complex. “That is crazy!” yelled out one tourist. Kids are adorable; there’s no need to charge for their services. Quite the opposite, Anne Cox thought that a fee could serve as a gentle reminder to parents that they should teach their children proper manners.
With the words, “If I were charged, I would be unhappy and probably not recommend the place,” Federico Gambineri expressed his concerns about the policy. “In the end, the responsibility lies with the parents,” our regular customer Jack Schneider said.
People began to reevaluate what was considered appropriate behavior in public eating areas after this tragedy. The issue at hand is not merely one of restaurant regulation, but rather one of society’s standards for appropriate conduct, as Jack Schneider eloquently stated.
Finally, the purported “parenting fine” at Toccoa Riverside Restaurant started a larger conversation about public decorum and parental responsibility.
