I find this sign at Young’s Chinese Restaurant on Upper Street oxymoronic. (Did I just make up a new word? If I did, it works, right?)
Open? But stay out! If you were a family of four with two young children, would you eat here?
I’d like to see their cash inflow on the days before and the days after putting this sign up. This sign, to me, says "Go away. We don’t want your business."
Imagine all the other things they could have done…
"Kids under 12 in costume eat free!" That might have attracted some new business.
OR–what if the "treat" at Young’s was a 10% off coupon? Then whole families might have come back at a later date.
Or–what if the treat were a Chinese pastry of some sort? Maybe a mooncake? That would have introduced people to new types of Chinese food. (The Chinese–not really known for their sweets, right?)
OR–what if the staff dressed up in Halloween Costumes? That might have attracted lots of people, just to eat there and oogle the waitstaff. OR what if Young’s were to host a costume night with a special set menu at an attractive price? "Eat at Young’s before you begin your trick-or-treating!" That would have been a virtuous thing because people would come because of the special deal, and then they would stay and/or more people would be attracted by all these people in costume in the same place.
It just seems like when you run a restaurant, you want people to come in. And there are lots of interesting ways to do that. This sign is not one of them.
10 comments
Personally, I’d be happier to eat here knowing that they don’t let in kids dressed in stupid costumes begging for sweets… 😉
Hi Richard!
Glad to have you as a reader. Thanks for dropping by.
I totally understand your comment. But we’re coming it it from different angles. Have you walked past Young’s? Would you ever consider eating there? My guess is probably not. There’s never anyone in there.
So why would a restaurant who–from appearances–already seems to be struggling, take a step that would not necessarily encourage more visitors? I guess my thought is that the number of people likely to visit because of a welcoming sign about welcoming trick-or-treaters is larger than the number of people who would actively eat at Young’s because Young’s has a sign that says Trick-or-Treaters will not be there. You know?
I don’t know. But then, I’m pretty naive. I like to assume restaurants will actively promote their business and repeat visits. That doesn’t always happen.
K
I don’t know this place, but, generally (and especially in France;)), this kind of sign could, in fact, attract people like me who want to avoid such commercial events…
Great blog, by the way.
Completely agree! Poor judgement. Or maybe that was part of his/her Halloween theme, being the unpleasant Grinch. 🙂
Oh Krista I have some strong feelings about this. Trick or Treaters should NEVER be allowed in a restaraunt. EVER! Have you had this happen to you because in the last week it has happened to me 3 times. Let me explain the concept of Halloween in the US at least. The children dress up they ring your doorbell on one day and one day only and you give them a sweet. In my neighborhood we only went to houses that had lights on indicating that you are welcome and we have candy.
Somehow Londoners have confused this whole concept and now children think they can put on a mask and walk up to you and demand a treat at any time and since normally (I have some bad days) I don’t walk around with candy they are literally asking for money. WTF? This is not a holiday that promotes begging!
I have been in several restaraunts where the children have stormed in unacompanied by parents (probably off smoking crack) and run up to each table demanded a treat in the middle of your dinner. The owners always have to gather the children up and shoo them away. Ridiculous!
I will agree the sign could be worded better. Maybe the following:
Trick or Treaters are welcome on October 31st where the establishment will be giving out candy. Please do not interupt our customer’s meal.
Rant over.
You should submit that to passiveaggressivenotes.com
I can see both sides. The restaurant owner may be trying to fend off noisy children, naturally more boisterous in a sugar rush on a festive day. I can appreciate that. I know that when I’m having dinner, I don’t care for kids running amok.
But, if that were the objective, I don’t think they phrased it correctly. Something along the lines of, “We welcome you and your family on this festive occasion. Out of respect for our other patrons, please try to keep your children corralled…” No, that won’t work. “… on a leash?” No… that’s no good either. 😉
Yeah, they probably should have just left well enough alone.
I don’t know the restaurant and can’t comment on whether they need the business or not. But I think it’s fair to point out that they didn’t say “we don’t serve kids in Haloween costumes” – they said “no trick or treaters”. Not quite the same, is it? Can you imagine trying to do a service with random kids coming in yelling “trick or treat”?! I can’t think of a workplace that would be happy with that… And if you don’t put the notice up and trick or treaters DO arrive and you say no, are they then free to throw eggs at your windows?
Unfortunately they’ve had problems in the past. Nasty stuff.
They’re asking for tricks.
But who trick-or-treats at restaurants, anyway?
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