California Restaurant Charges Parents for Unruly Kids
A restaurant in California has ignited a contentious discussion by introducing a fee for parents whose children are misbehaving. Chez Xue, a Chinese eatery in Foster City, about 20 miles from San Francisco, has stirred the pot with its new policy.
Owner Xie Xue stated, “We’re a casual restaurant, but we’re not Chuck E. Cheese.” The establishment has a clear directive: parents are warned that they may need to leave if their children fail to behave. Moreover, it stipulates that parents could be held financially accountable for any damage their children cause.
The restaurant emphasizes the need for parents to “control your child” while dining there. Their website makes it clear: “Chez Xue is a family-friendly restaurant, but we are not a playground.” The management requests that children remain seated and act respectfully toward fellow diners and the dining ambiance. Behaviors such as running, yelling, or making excessive noise are simply “not acceptable,” as outlined in their notice.
Incidents at the restaurant leading to fees have caught attention, with a recent case in April where a child broke a credit card machine, costing the parent over $327. In December, a child carving a desk led to a charge of $109, while another instance involved a teacup costing $5.47 in January.
The restaurant’s policy went viral on social media after a screenshot of its menu highlighting these “recent harms” was shared widely. Online reactions to the policy have been sharply divided. One user stated, “If your child is causing that much trouble, they don’t deserve to be there.” In contrast, another argued that kids will be kids, pointing out that $500 in damages per year could be reasonable for a family restaurant.
Chez Xue’s review pages reflect varied opinions. Some commended the restaurant for holding parents accountable, noting that overly permissive parenting is a widespread issue. Others, however, expressed concerns that the policy could alienate families with children, particularly those with disabilities.
Xue shared that since implementing the policy, disturbances have significantly decreased, reaching “basically zero.” He expressed pride in addressing what many may have kept silent about, claiming the policy echoes sentiments that many customers have felt about disruptive children in dining settings.
Ultimately, Xue hopes that the restaurant fosters an environment where families can enjoy meals without the distractions of unruly behavior, while also nudging parents to take a more active role in their children’s conduct.
