By Kim Jae-heun
Some establishments, mainly restaurants, are designating their businesses as "no kids zones" to keep a "tranquil atmosphere" and avoid complaints from customers who visit without children. However, whether banning children at such places ― where people of all age groups are technically allowed ― is causing a controversy.
A 31-year-old man surnamed Park recently visited a steak restaurant near his home with his wife and had an unpleasant experience because of children there.
A group of three children, seemingly all elementary school students in their first or second year, were running around the venue out of control.
"The parents didn't care about their children," Park told The Korea Times. "People at the restaurant frowned at the kids but the parents seemed to be just enjoying their own conversation.
"One customer complained to the restaurant manager, who politely asked the parents to keep their children under control, but they eventually became noisy again."
Besides Park, many other people have had similar experiences at a restaurant, and so some owners are designating their businesses as child free.
According to a recent survey by Embrain, 60.9 percent of 1,000 people aged between 19 and 59 have felt uncomfortable because of the behavior of children at restaurants and other "public" places at least once.
Restaurants were the most common place where people experienced an uncomfortable situation, followed by coffee shops, subways, movie theaters and supermarkets.
Nearly 75 percent said they understand that children can become unruly and their parents may be unaware of the situation, but they also said certain types of restrictions to prevent children from annoying others were necessary. Such an opinion has gained support among people regardless of gender, age and marital status.
Given this, 66.1 percent agreed on the need for no kid zones at restaurants and coffee shops. Seven out of 10 said adopting no kids zones was not a matter of discrimination as parents can visit other places where children are welcomed. Moreover, 76.5 percent said people have the right to eat and enjoy a cup of coffee without being affected by children's behavior.
The younger generation and singles were the most in favor of this.
However, 54.8 percent of parents also concurred on the need.
"If restaurants clarify their venues are no kids zones, it is better for me," said a 32-year-old mother surnamed Cho. "I also feel uncomfortable when people stare at me and my children when they act out of control. I would rather visit places where my child and I are welcomed," Cho said.
The survey showed 65.8 percent of parents with a child under 13 have felt nervous about their children possibly annoying other customers at restaurants and coffee shops. They have also faced the inconvenience of establishments not having child-friendly equipment such as high chairs, and being denied entry.
However, another mother, surnamed Kim, argued that not all children cause trouble at public places, saying it was an overreaction to ban them.
"Children over a certain age know they have to behave in public areas and they can be easily controlled by their parents. It is too excessive to send away customers with young children," Kim said.
Saying children usually become loud when they are with friends, Kim said that in such case parents can avoid visiting certain venues.
"Forming no kids zones would restrict choices of places that families with child want to visit, and is an act of discrimination against them," Kim added.
According to the survey, most people believe it is store owners' freedom to make the decision on whether to designate their places as no kids zones.