Dining out is a luxury, especially when you're the parent of a young child. It can be difficult to find the time to make it out, and ever harder to eat your meal while you deal with the fussing, whining or crying that can derail your meal. Not to mention having to contend with the annoyed glares and sighs of staff and other diners if your child chooses that night to have a fit.
While some things are out of parent's control other things, like table manners or being polite, are teachable, but sadly sometimes overlooked. One young family didn't forget to teach these things, and got a nice surprise from a local sushi restaurant when they went out for a meal.
Looking for a break from routine, Daley and Alicia Welsh took their 1-year-old daughter Evie out for dinner at Carino Sushi in Calgary, Canada. When they got their bill they couldn't believe their eyes.
Their $54 bill has been discounted $5, the reason? "Well behaved kids".
The couple was overjoyed and shared the photo online, where it quickly spread. Alicia said the family was overwhelmed by the positive responses about their parenting, and by the gesture from the restaurant.
"We thought it was really sweet and a neat touch," Alicia Welsh said in an interview with USA TODAY Network.
Restaurant owner Toshi Carino told Yahoo Shine in an e-mail,
"We welcome the kids and wanted to show some appreciation for kids (of course for parents!) with dining manners."
Mr. Welsh described the 35-seat restaurant with no place for strollers as "˜not the most kid-friendly place.' Still, he and Mrs. Welsh went to Carino before they had Evie. And fortunately for them, she was in a good mood.
"˜Our daughter is like most babies,' Welsh said. "˜She has her on and off days. We avoid taking her out if she's fussy.'
But he believes the discount was a one-off benefit. "˜I won't expect the discount the next time I dine there "” even if [Evie] is being just as sweet as she was yesterday.'
Eating out with kids is not an easy feat. And as these restaurants know, praise can go a long way."It was that little piece of recognition that meant so much," Daley said.