Sorry for the rude headline but what I witnessed during lunch yesterday would best be described this way.
We were at Tung Lok Paramount at about 11.20am. It was quite empty except another table with three adults. While waiting for our visitors from Australia, a family of 5 came into the restaurant - grandparents, a young mother and two children. One of the boys screamed his way into the restaurant while the rest strolled in behind him. The younger boy who is probably about 5-6 years old turned around and shouted "I want to sit upstairs". His grandmother and mother explained that the upper level is not opened for seating. What happened after that was like a hostage situation. Everyone including the other restaurant staff stood around looking at the boy as if The boy refused to let up - he kept insisting loudly that he wanted to 'sit upstairs'. The entire family except all stood around the restaurant looking at him while he went on. It took a dutiful restaurant manager to coax the boy by offering to bring him downstairs to see the other seating and to show him (quite needlessly since it is in full view) that the upper deck is not meant for dining.
The hostage situation was then resolved. A little later, the father of the kids walked in - probably after parking his car. He sat down and began ordering the food. What I saw after that also shocked me - the brat who was screaming earlier on - use his left foot to kick his father's face. A little visibly upset, all the father did was put the kid's foot down and uttered something to him.
The manager of the restaurant very kindly offered to move us to a private room as she explained - "understandable it might be too noisy for you". Frankly, I was keen to watch how the meal for the family would pan out. But we nonetheless took her up on the offer and had a wonderful time catching up with our friends.
I do not have kids. I might not fully understand the anguish and trials of bringing them up. I cannot help feeling sad for his parents - but I also blame them for his upbringing. To be fair to the child, he appears very intelligent and well loved. He might be a kid who has attention deficit disorder or other marginal developmental condition. I doubt though. I can also imagine them enjoying his moments of cleverness or wittiness that many parents mistake as 'cute' or 'smart'.
There are 'boundaries' or rules that parents must set for their children just as adults we respect the boundaries in our interaction or discourse with others. It is not a question of disturbing others in a public place, but what this kid would become to society at large when he grows up.
Just my two cents -:-)
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