I have a customer who has cerebral palsy. This condition makes him very spastic and it makes his speech very, VERY difficult to understand. Also - because of his condition, and probably also because of his frustration, he yells everything that he says. He is confined to a wheelchair.
Every transaction with him is very, very slow and very nervewracking. That being said, I applaud him for living as independently as possible, and I am very impressed with his ability to get out and about and handle his own business. VERY impressed.
But - he has some responsibility in this whole scenario. Would it be wise of him to come to the bank on a payday, to get in the teller line during lunchtime on a Friday, when ten guys in mud covered steel toed boots are there on their lunchbreak trying to take care of their banking business in the little bit of free time they have that day?
No - it wouldn't be wise, and it wouldn't be thoughtful of him if it is at all avoidable - which in his case it is, because he doesn't work. In fact, I think it would be WRONG of him to do this, considering the fact that even the simplest transaction with him takes much longer than with most other people - and he knows this.
For the record - he doesn't do this. He generally waits to come to the bank during slower hours. I applaud him for this as well. He is thoughtful of the needs of others, even though he has special needs himself.
My point is this - just because someone has special needs doesn't mean that they shouldn't alter their behavior and expectations by considering the needs of others as well. It's a two way street.
If you have small children who are prone to loud behavior, don't take them to a fancy restaurant on a weekend night. If your kids are energetic and loud, consider the possibility that for a short period in your life you will need to limit the time and money you spend in restaurants that are geared toward quiet, peaceful dining.
Most days, I don't eat inside at McDonalds that have the inside playground, and I don't eat at Chucky Cheese - because those places are geared toward families with small kids and are full of loud, screaming, energetic and very joyful little tykes. It would be unreasonable of me to expect the environment to be anything BUT loud and full of rambunctious kids.
However, that's where I take my little grandkids when they're with me, and suddenly I am enjoying that environment - the same environment that would set my teeth on edge at any other time.
Be thoughtful people - that's the bottom line. Most people who are eating in most restaurants do not want their meal disturbed by your little darlings - or mine. Take your kids to more kid friendly restaurants till they are well behaved enough to be a joy rather than a burden to strangers.
And grownups - be tolerant of reasonable kid wiggling and giggling. Smile at the little sweetie who peeks at you around the back of the booth. Be patient when the same child cries when he spills his drink.
And parents - if he KEEPS crying - do your parental duty and take him out of the room till he calms down. If he won't calm down, sacrifice your own dinner rather than expecting others to sacrifice theirs. Take him home. It's obvious he doesn't want to be there!
