[Jan01]

What is your opinion on loud electronic games and iphone apps at cafes and restaurants?

Recently DH and I were having lunch at a busy cafe (all the tables were full so you don't get to choose where to sit), next to us was a table where 4 adults and 3 children (about 4,6 and 8 years old) were sat who all had either a gameboy style toy or was playing on an iphone with the adults talking amongst themselves. I'd like to preface by saying we don't have any issue with noisy talkative or cranky children (kids will be kids, especially small babies/children) and I'm the first to smile or chat to inquisitive kids sitting next to me. What was distracting was the very loud electronic noise coming from their 'toys' with one toy repeatedly saying in an loud (louder than conversational tone) American voice "choice b, WELL DONE YOUR RIGHT and play a tune" while another played a constant song as a background to some sort of game. It was so loud it was attracting looks from staff and patrons, who were to polite/awkward to say anything. If it was just a rhyme being played to a baby a few time etc to distract them I don't think I would have noticed but this went on until we left.

My question is do you agree with the sound being on toys like this in restaurants (especially for extended time periods) and do you think children of the above ages are old enough to have it explained to them to play the games with sound off so that it isn't to noisy for everyone?

* Please no nasty comments this is just fluff, we weren't outraged and didn't say anything, just deterred from staying for another coffee and a chat because of the noise and asked the question to ourselves when we left*

[Jemstar]

If I am out I much prefer my kids to be occupied by a game than annoying the sh*t out of me or other diners. That said, I make them take earphones or turn volume down so that is not also annoying.

It's the modern coloring in and it keeps them occupied a whole hell of a lot longer.

Mind you, I wouldn't have been so polite as to not say anything, I would have just asked them very nicely to turn their games down.

This post has been edited by Jemstar: 16/11/2012, 07:38 PM

[nellieb]

In a cafe? No problem.

[laridae]

Headphones or sound off. Sounds from those games can be very annoying!

[Jan01]

Yeah Jemstar I actually have no issue with electronic toys in general, I think they are great and are the modern equivalent of blocks or a colouring in book. At a low volume it wouldn't be any different than a convo, its when its really loud/ or there is a few playing at once.

[2bundles]

I would never let my kids have the volume up in a cafe. They either take headphones or turn the volume off.

[msro82]

I think it is rude if headphones are not used. DD is allowed to use my old iPhone, but as soon as she unplugs the earphones I take it off her.

Same on planes.

[tothebeach]

I think it is rude if headphones are not used

I agree. And the same goes for the bus, aeroplanes and anywhere else where patrons may be trying to get along with their own thing in a public space.

And don't get me started on people who believe that headphones are bad for kids hearing but are happy for the rest of us to listen to the wiggles at top volume so that both their children can share one screen in a plane at 11pm at night. And yes, that really happened.

[lsolaBella]

Headphones are used by my kids.

[LynnyP]

We turn the sound off. If the game needs sound, it can't be played. We want to interact as well.