As a parent of three and a grandparent of three (who have all flown on our points but the grandkids probably haven't yet visited a Starbucks) I agree with your sentiments.

You might get more satisfaction launching a counter-strike, as I once did in an anti-kids thread when I satirically advocated banning the elderly from planes (they walk so slowly, they ask stupid questions, etc.). Boy, did I get some indignant responses, which I suppose made me somewhat troll-like.

Sort of like...

Personally, I think "singles" should not be allowed to sit at tables for two at Starbucks.

Furthermore, there should be separate lines for people who just want coffee rather than those time consuming froo-froo beverages, and there should be an Elite line for those holding Starbucks cards.

IMHO

BamaVol, I agree that no one's going to budge on their beliefs

MY own thoughts are that 10 years old...is still a little kid.
Limiting coffee, coke...for kids is a good thing.

I never said adolescents, kids whatever should be kept out of Starbucks. My thoughts were that if I see a little girl come into Starbucks by herself to reload up a Starbucks card and purchase a frappuccino (coffee blended), then yeah I will be surprised and have an opinion of the parents. Some people will have opinions that the parents raised her right to be so independent and to have early values about money. Some like me will have other opinions as well.

Sorry I didn't know that caffeine was used for some medical treatments but I'm not surprised...was there a point to this other than to enlighten me about the treatment? Light up some hash because it's been said they have medical benefits, cool. I highly doubt the girl was purchasing her drink for her asthma. As for assumptions, aren't we both making them..just opposite assumptions.

pinayexpat, sounds great! I'd love to take both my dog and kid to Starbucks (yeah I'm assuming Starbucks is there in Germany, they're everywhere ) and you're right I regret getting off topic from the original post. I love kids and Starbucks, individually as well as together. Just my 2 cents.

Unlike to stores in the US in Europe Starbucks Coffees are just some of the little complete smoke free places. And that is - at least here in Vienna, Austria - one of the main reasons for parents to hang out with their kids at Starbucks. I like that - as long they are not too wild and oud.[

I was raised on Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, Coffee and Tea. On a trip to Ireland I spent quite a bit of time with a local couple who were in TOTAL SHOCK that I would let my children drink the same drinks. After a LOT of discussion, I started to rethink my thoughts on the matter and did a lot of research. So I stopped buying the drinks for my children (with the exception of tea). We have noticed a marked improvement in their study habits and their general attitudes. They no longer ask for the drinks when given the opportunity. My only regrets are that I should have been raised the same way and I wish I had met the couple in Ireland before my first born was one year old. What benefits could have been attained?

Thanks for proving once again, that in the USA "it's all about me." No doubt you are passing that wonderful wisdom along to your kids.

It seems pretty clear that most people (with the exception of a few extremists) don't mind if you bring your children to Starbucks - what we object to are the screaming out-of-control brats who disrupt the otherwise pleasant atmosphere for everyone else. Just as bad as the people who scream into their cellphones.

So feel free to bring your kids if they are generally well-behaved (and you know if they fall in that category). But if they throw a tantrum, then you need to pack up and leave, along with the guy who is yelling into the cellphone behind you.

Common courtesy goes a long way these days. Alas, it seems many parents missed that lesson.

IMHO many if not most folks with kids who get noisy are more concerned than that guy who is yelling into the cellphone behind you.

Just an observation...

If you think parents are lacking in common courtesy, try spending some time in public with a well behaved child and see how much gratuitous rudeness you experience. Many adults act as if it perfectly acceptable to say nasty things to kids who are minding their own business, kids standing in line often get shoved aside and adults who would probably hold a door open for another adult will let it swing shut in a child's face.

These aren't rare occurrences, and nor are they unique to our family. I was talking to a friend a couple states away earlier this week, and she told me of a jerk at the library who deliberately shut a door on her 8 year old son's hand. And airports are the worst place, as there are far too many of the self-important sort of traveler who shoves through crowds talking on their cell phone and swinging a shoulder bag/briefcase/laptop bag around - right at the height of kid's heads.

Perhaps it is time a few adults started remembering that kids deserve a little courtesy, too.

Those self absorbed adults yapping loudly on their cell phones as they knock children over with their shoulder bags/computer bags are not discriminating against children. They are also knocking over adults especially senior citizens. It is people like that who need to have the TSA cart them off indefinitely. ^

Funny - I can usually "tune out" all but the most obnoxious screaming, thrashing brats, as well as most obnoxious, cellphone-screaming rude adults. What REALLY bugs me is anyone who sings out loud when they hear a song that they recognize, coming over the Muzak system ...

Oh, the possibilities are endless!

You can have that right here in New York. I just wish these women (yes it's always women) get REAL dogs, not these kind which are so small, they can be carried in a Burberry dog bag. Those dogs seems like bait to real dogs like rottweilers.

I have never experienced unruly children in a Starbucks but I do not usually linger when I purchase a coffee. What bothers me is when you literally can not get into a Starbucks at the mall because there is a line a teenagers all the way out the door. I wish there was an "over 18" line. Those teenagers certainly spend a lot more money in Starbucks than I do so I understand. It just seems wrong that adults will skip the coffee so that the kids can partake. I refuse to stand in line for coffee more than 5 minutes. Don't we give up enough for our kids that we should get first dibbs on the coffee!

Dateline: Saturday at our local Starbucks

I needed to use the restroom. I went around the corner and passed the 5 women in line for the ladies' room.

The 2 ladies at the front of the line began giggling. I opened the men's room door, and there sits a lady who yells, "I am in here!" Oh, i guess I should've guessed that a women was using the men's room.

She came out EXTREMELY unhappy. She yelled at her friends saying that she could not believe they let a man in there. I stirred the pot by adding that they told me to head right on in.

The embarrassed women then told me, "I am sure you saw something. Give me $20." I told her that her modesty was intact.

My wife (Vker) said I should have told her the view was only worth $5.

Over 18" line? I hope everyone there would fit in that line. After all I don't meet too many people that are less than one and a half feet tall.

Kids really should not be drinking coffee, but that is the same for adults that over drink.

Good then you will improve your health due to your impatience.

hmmmmmmmmm.

Would have been better to reply "I think you should pay me $50.00 for emotional distress"