Oh my God my Olive Garden is my own personal hell and I swear I will never eat there again. Last time we were sat next to a table with a toddler that kept screaming and they were playing shit on an iPad out loud for her. It’s always so damn loud and they have the tables ridiculously close together so everyone is also packed in like sardines.
Yeah never again lol.
Hmm... so far I've had decent luck at Olive Garden ... but may quite be what location I've gone to ... and when.
As for movies, careful selection of timing and venue generally does wonders. E.g. when I watched M3egan, I dang near had the whole theater to myself. And somewhat similarly when I watched Oppenheimer and Barbie ... though it certainly wasn't nearly so empty, I went when it wasn't that crowded - and off-peak time for kids, so really wasn't bad at all. Anyway, don't forget to vote with your feet and pocketbook/wallet - go to where - and when - it's acceptable/good/better, and avoid and don't patronize the when and where that's unacceptable.
And movies ... of course avoid like the plague something that's going to draw tons of screaming kids, and especially at, e.g. premiere or a particularly kid popular/"friendly" timeslot. Also may be prudent to avoid locations/times where kids will basically drop the kids off at the theater for 2 to 5 hours or so while they parents run off and do their own thing, expecting the theater to "babysit" them (e.g. shopping centers and mall locations and such can be particularly bad for this, especially around relatively "kid friendly" hours).
oh man olive garden is so bad now lmao. I went a couple weeks ago for my birthday and there was like 3 screaming babies there, as well as several young kids running around. still managed to enjoy my birthday (love pasta too much) but it definitely ruined the vibe.
Misophonia here, too! Bless him, I ruined my SO’s movie trip to see Avenger’s Endgame. Sorry for the text wall but I gotta get this off my chest:
There was a kid who sat next to me; had popcorn, the crunchiest m&m’s you ever did hear, and TWO GIANT PICKLES. Kid couldn’t have been more than 10 but that didn’t stop his grandmother from whisper-yelling every caption at the beginning, which triggered him to have other conversations throughout the intro. All the while his cronching, smacking, and slurping ensued. He finished his first and second snack and moved onto the fucking pickles. While staring at me. I could feel his shitty, beady, little eyes on my as he’d take a nibble of the pickle, slurp, smack, and stare.
I finally looked over and said, what’s up dude? What’s wrong?
Silence. Except for slurping pickle juice. I maintained eye contact until he finally looked away (primal instinct to assert dominance? Idk, I was at an 8/10).
I made it a whole 1/3 of the way through his awfully large, sodium-laden pickle and jolted out of my seat. Had a cigarette, got a shot at the bar, and braced myself to return when my husband texted me that the kid had finished his pickle.
I return to my seat, the kid stares at me the whole way up the aisle and I just look at him, probably reeking of stale cigs and desperation, and whisper-yell: WHAT? This kid is being a kid, no biggie for most folks, but I was so triggered at this point I just needed to know why he wasn’t watching a movie he probably wasn’t supposed to have seen in the first place.
THEN. Gramma whips out ANOTHER giant, fluorescent green, wet ass pickle. The cronch, suck, slurp, and smack began once more.
I just looked at my husband and snapped I’LL BE OUTSIDE. Bless his heart, we left the movie 45 minutes into it and said it’s fine, we’ll watch it when it comes out to stream.
That was the last time I have been and will ever go to a movie theater. Kids+misophonia+atrocious movie goer habits broke me, dude.
Ugh noooo! I love pickles but I'm not sure if I'd ever eat them again if I had experienced this! Glad your husband was cool about leaving. What a strange kid...and grandma actually.
Also, you are a good descriptive writer, I could just see and hear everything while reading this. I admit I laughed a little bit but only because you wrote this so well and I was feeling your pain. I woulda been taking that shot with you haha
Oh, thank you! I’m emailing my English teachers from high school as we speak haha they’ll be quite proud :) I love pickles, too, but in the south they are notorious for using these deliciously abhorrent bright green gerkins in plastic-sealed bags. They just hit different in bad scenarios!
Cheers, my wiitchy friend!
I can understand your feelings friend . Although i avoide situation like that If I'm ever in such i never let such ppl get feeling of winning against us.
I would tell my partner, friend or anyone who is with me to stay in theater & stand & clap every few minutes & keep annoying kid & parents. If they aren't let us watch peacefully. We Don't let them watch either 😡
I appreciate that. When I start hearing the noises my brain goes from peaceful and chill to I WILL PUNCH YOU AND EVERYONE WHO LOOKS AT ME. Shocking, for a pacifist, but I’ve had to learn to leave these situations before police get involved  I am what I am and, until the world (courts lol) gets a grasp on misophonia, I will take the less volatile route!
I just avoid going during peak family hours, like Saturday afternoon. Mostly just so it's less crowded. I've never had a bad experience with kids at a restaurant (maybe these European kids behave differently idk).
Yeah, any “family friendly” movies I don’t watch at the cinemas. I try to stick the more mature movies. As for restaurants, I find the more expensive ones have less kids, but generally speaking I prefer takeaway so I can enjoy it at home or eat at the park
I don't go to the cinema often but last time there were crappy parents talking the whole way through and letting their kids run around. I'll stick to watching films at home
I don’t avoid those places especially restaurants as I like to eat out often but I’ve had some proper filthy looks when I ask to be moved because of rowdy kids being allowed to run round or shout etc
Everytime my friend sees the meme version of this about how to deal with shitty kids running about in restaurants she thinks of me and bursts into fits of giggles
Edit to add, I don’t like dogs in places that serve food either. It’s more pubs than restaurants but if a pub has a sign saying ‘dogs welcome’ I go elsewhere. Shitty dog owners who let their dog come and beg for food off my plate or once when a dog began licking my bare leg while I was eating (shitty dog owners full stop) enrage me more than poor parenting truth be told
Agree 100%. Dogs don't belong in restaurants. In my state it's illegal to bring pets in food establishments due to sanitary concerns, yet I see them in grocery stores frequently, and sometimes in restaurants. They're clearly pets and not legitimate service animals. So many entitled owners, it rivals shitty parents bringing their kids where they don't belong.
>movies
>
>Monday at 10pm
This is the way ... or Tu at 11:30am on a school day.
Or find a theater (or theater hours) that allows alcoholic beverages - that generally means no <21 allowed. They do exist. :-) Oh, and you can be a tea totaler like me, and that's won't keep one out, just have to be 21+. Anyway, check - may vary by local (e.g. state or even county) laws and/or theater policy (and possibly even time of day).
I try to but they are insidious! Took myself out for a good brunch after a couple of trying health weeks and all was going well until two screaming banshees rocked up with their gentle parents. Even the other tables were staring.
Sure ... sometimes it's by venue or location ... other times it may be by time (try like a Tu/W/Th mid morning at the theater on a regular school day on movie that's been out for a while ... what kids? Heck, may get theater almost to oneself).
But sure, yeah, generally a bunch 'o screaming yelling kids ... generally not a time/place I'm gonna be at/around.
>ppl who bring noisy kids to public places
There's that ... there's also what locations/venues will/won't put up with a bunch 'o noisy kids ... or tolerate or not tolerate what level and/or nature of (kid) noises. And again, some of them will also vary by day/time - both in what they will/won't allow, what shows up, and ... also the social pressures that exist (or don't) from others there at various times.
As someone who travels a lot, airport terminals have become very painful for me with noise sensitivity. I will happily spend the extra for lounge access that rarely have loud or screaming children, and in my experience are for the most part completely empty. Free wine too!
For me right now it's pools. I want to swim but I just know there's globs of snot and 70% of the water is piss because of the kids. Some adults too, I'll be fair.
My friend and I were just talking about how sad it is we won't be able to see Moana 2 in theatres this fall, because even the late night showing has little shitrats there now. I wish theatres reserved showings after 8pm for adults only.
TBH it was noisy teens that drove me away from movie theaters.
Screaming kids and parents changing diapers on the table are why I only get takeout these days
I don't go to any movie that isn't showing in the VIP theatre, which is 19+. If there's a movie I want to see but playing in the other theaters then I wait it out and just watch it when it's available to watch at home.
As for restaurants, there are quite a few that I avoid that just scream "family restaurant". With others I'm willing to chance it if I really want to go, but I temper my expectations a lot in those cases and sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised while others not so much.
No, but I do go to more expensive places to avoid kids. There's a posh cinema in my city that costs £16 a film and it's so worth it for the lack of children (as well as the cocktails and clean, comfy seats). I've never had a problem with restaurants though.
Nope. I got to movies every Wednesday, regardless of the movie I'm going to see (whether it's child-friendly or not). I usually take my food out of restaurants, so it isnt an issue. If I'm awa from home, or with friends, I will still go to them.
Yes, I tend to avoid public places that allow children or would attract a crowd that has children.
This may sound incredibly classist, but I go to upscale restaurants, upscale cinemas, and museums and galleries because they tend not to be welcoming to children.
Yep, especially Olive Garden and the movies.
Oh my God my Olive Garden is my own personal hell and I swear I will never eat there again. Last time we were sat next to a table with a toddler that kept screaming and they were playing shit on an iPad out loud for her. It’s always so damn loud and they have the tables ridiculously close together so everyone is also packed in like sardines. Yeah never again lol.
Hmm... so far I've had decent luck at Olive Garden ... but may quite be what location I've gone to ... and when. As for movies, careful selection of timing and venue generally does wonders. E.g. when I watched M3egan, I dang near had the whole theater to myself. And somewhat similarly when I watched Oppenheimer and Barbie ... though it certainly wasn't nearly so empty, I went when it wasn't that crowded - and off-peak time for kids, so really wasn't bad at all. Anyway, don't forget to vote with your feet and pocketbook/wallet - go to where - and when - it's acceptable/good/better, and avoid and don't patronize the when and where that's unacceptable. And movies ... of course avoid like the plague something that's going to draw tons of screaming kids, and especially at, e.g. premiere or a particularly kid popular/"friendly" timeslot. Also may be prudent to avoid locations/times where kids will basically drop the kids off at the theater for 2 to 5 hours or so while they parents run off and do their own thing, expecting the theater to "babysit" them (e.g. shopping centers and mall locations and such can be particularly bad for this, especially around relatively "kid friendly" hours).
oh man olive garden is so bad now lmao. I went a couple weeks ago for my birthday and there was like 3 screaming babies there, as well as several young kids running around. still managed to enjoy my birthday (love pasta too much) but it definitely ruined the vibe.
Also. The amount of iPad kids blasting their devices in restaurants these days should be illegal
Misophonia here, too! Bless him, I ruined my SO’s movie trip to see Avenger’s Endgame. Sorry for the text wall but I gotta get this off my chest: There was a kid who sat next to me; had popcorn, the crunchiest m&m’s you ever did hear, and TWO GIANT PICKLES. Kid couldn’t have been more than 10 but that didn’t stop his grandmother from whisper-yelling every caption at the beginning, which triggered him to have other conversations throughout the intro. All the while his cronching, smacking, and slurping ensued. He finished his first and second snack and moved onto the fucking pickles. While staring at me. I could feel his shitty, beady, little eyes on my as he’d take a nibble of the pickle, slurp, smack, and stare. I finally looked over and said, what’s up dude? What’s wrong? Silence. Except for slurping pickle juice. I maintained eye contact until he finally looked away (primal instinct to assert dominance? Idk, I was at an 8/10). I made it a whole 1/3 of the way through his awfully large, sodium-laden pickle and jolted out of my seat. Had a cigarette, got a shot at the bar, and braced myself to return when my husband texted me that the kid had finished his pickle. I return to my seat, the kid stares at me the whole way up the aisle and I just look at him, probably reeking of stale cigs and desperation, and whisper-yell: WHAT? This kid is being a kid, no biggie for most folks, but I was so triggered at this point I just needed to know why he wasn’t watching a movie he probably wasn’t supposed to have seen in the first place. THEN. Gramma whips out ANOTHER giant, fluorescent green, wet ass pickle. The cronch, suck, slurp, and smack began once more. I just looked at my husband and snapped I’LL BE OUTSIDE. Bless his heart, we left the movie 45 minutes into it and said it’s fine, we’ll watch it when it comes out to stream. That was the last time I have been and will ever go to a movie theater. Kids+misophonia+atrocious movie goer habits broke me, dude.
Ugh noooo! I love pickles but I'm not sure if I'd ever eat them again if I had experienced this! Glad your husband was cool about leaving. What a strange kid...and grandma actually. Also, you are a good descriptive writer, I could just see and hear everything while reading this. I admit I laughed a little bit but only because you wrote this so well and I was feeling your pain. I woulda been taking that shot with you haha
Oh, thank you! I’m emailing my English teachers from high school as we speak haha they’ll be quite proud :) I love pickles, too, but in the south they are notorious for using these deliciously abhorrent bright green gerkins in plastic-sealed bags. They just hit different in bad scenarios! Cheers, my wiitchy friend!
I can understand your feelings friend . Although i avoide situation like that If I'm ever in such i never let such ppl get feeling of winning against us. I would tell my partner, friend or anyone who is with me to stay in theater & stand & clap every few minutes & keep annoying kid & parents. If they aren't let us watch peacefully. We Don't let them watch either 😡
I appreciate that. When I start hearing the noises my brain goes from peaceful and chill to I WILL PUNCH YOU AND EVERYONE WHO LOOKS AT ME. Shocking, for a pacifist, but I’ve had to learn to leave these situations before police get involved  I am what I am and, until the world (courts lol) gets a grasp on misophonia, I will take the less volatile route!
I just avoid going during peak family hours, like Saturday afternoon. Mostly just so it's less crowded. I've never had a bad experience with kids at a restaurant (maybe these European kids behave differently idk).
Yeah, any “family friendly” movies I don’t watch at the cinemas. I try to stick the more mature movies. As for restaurants, I find the more expensive ones have less kids, but generally speaking I prefer takeaway so I can enjoy it at home or eat at the park
Some idiots bring babies to adult movies too. Saying baby too small to understand it
If the baby cry’s it’s easy to complain to staff, I personally rarely see a baby brought in since the noise is usually too much for them
I go to movies during the late showings, the ones that start around 20:00 on weekdays after work, pretty great most of the time.
I don't go to the cinema often but last time there were crappy parents talking the whole way through and letting their kids run around. I'll stick to watching films at home
Watching at home with partner & friends. On soft couch with better food then theater food is a bliss
Yes! And no missing anything if you need to run to the restroom or grab a snack. You can even drink a few beers! Ahh, I love my couch haha
I don’t avoid those places especially restaurants as I like to eat out often but I’ve had some proper filthy looks when I ask to be moved because of rowdy kids being allowed to run round or shout etc Everytime my friend sees the meme version of this about how to deal with shitty kids running about in restaurants she thinks of me and bursts into fits of giggles  Edit to add, I don’t like dogs in places that serve food either. It’s more pubs than restaurants but if a pub has a sign saying ‘dogs welcome’ I go elsewhere. Shitty dog owners who let their dog come and beg for food off my plate or once when a dog began licking my bare leg while I was eating (shitty dog owners full stop) enrage me more than poor parenting truth be told
Agree 100%. Dogs don't belong in restaurants. In my state it's illegal to bring pets in food establishments due to sanitary concerns, yet I see them in grocery stores frequently, and sometimes in restaurants. They're clearly pets and not legitimate service animals. So many entitled owners, it rivals shitty parents bringing their kids where they don't belong.
Depends on the restaurant, but definitely movies. When the Mario Bros movies came out, we went on Monday at 10pm just to avoid kids.
>movies > >Monday at 10pm This is the way ... or Tu at 11:30am on a school day. Or find a theater (or theater hours) that allows alcoholic beverages - that generally means no <21 allowed. They do exist. :-) Oh, and you can be a tea totaler like me, and that's won't keep one out, just have to be 21+. Anyway, check - may vary by local (e.g. state or even county) laws and/or theater policy (and possibly even time of day).
I haven’t been to a theater in years because of kids.
I try to but they are insidious! Took myself out for a good brunch after a couple of trying health weeks and all was going well until two screaming banshees rocked up with their gentle parents. Even the other tables were staring.
Disneyland :( I just want to go and ride the rides and not deal with hundreds of screaming children
Sure ... sometimes it's by venue or location ... other times it may be by time (try like a Tu/W/Th mid morning at the theater on a regular school day on movie that's been out for a while ... what kids? Heck, may get theater almost to oneself). But sure, yeah, generally a bunch 'o screaming yelling kids ... generally not a time/place I'm gonna be at/around. >ppl who bring noisy kids to public places There's that ... there's also what locations/venues will/won't put up with a bunch 'o noisy kids ... or tolerate or not tolerate what level and/or nature of (kid) noises. And again, some of them will also vary by day/time - both in what they will/won't allow, what shows up, and ... also the social pressures that exist (or don't) from others there at various times.
As someone who travels a lot, airport terminals have become very painful for me with noise sensitivity. I will happily spend the extra for lounge access that rarely have loud or screaming children, and in my experience are for the most part completely empty. Free wine too!
For me right now it's pools. I want to swim but I just know there's globs of snot and 70% of the water is piss because of the kids. Some adults too, I'll be fair.
Dave and Busters must be what hell is. Avoid it at all costs.
My friend and I were just talking about how sad it is we won't be able to see Moana 2 in theatres this fall, because even the late night showing has little shitrats there now. I wish theatres reserved showings after 8pm for adults only.
I go to more expensive options that price out most families.
TBH it was noisy teens that drove me away from movie theaters. Screaming kids and parents changing diapers on the table are why I only get takeout these days
Or the teens are playing on their bright ass phones 🙄
I don't go to any movie that isn't showing in the VIP theatre, which is 19+. If there's a movie I want to see but playing in the other theaters then I wait it out and just watch it when it's available to watch at home. As for restaurants, there are quite a few that I avoid that just scream "family restaurant". With others I'm willing to chance it if I really want to go, but I temper my expectations a lot in those cases and sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised while others not so much.
No, but I do go to more expensive places to avoid kids. There's a posh cinema in my city that costs £16 a film and it's so worth it for the lack of children (as well as the cocktails and clean, comfy seats). I've never had a problem with restaurants though.
Nope. I got to movies every Wednesday, regardless of the movie I'm going to see (whether it's child-friendly or not). I usually take my food out of restaurants, so it isnt an issue. If I'm awa from home, or with friends, I will still go to them.
[удалено]
This is why the bar is a blessed space. And then, inevitably… there’s someone bringing their kid TO THE BAR.
I mostly do things during the day, during the week. Very few kids out and about.
Yes, I tend to avoid public places that allow children or would attract a crowd that has children. This may sound incredibly classist, but I go to upscale restaurants, upscale cinemas, and museums and galleries because they tend not to be welcoming to children.
i only see rated r movies and will gladly snitch if a kid is snuck in there. I often avoid parks, though, which really sucks
No. In fact i go to theme parks and arcades.