Comments on: Happy Halloween. Now Go Away.

By: Jess

Jess — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:43:01 +0000

They’re asking for tricks.

But who trick-or-treats at restaurants, anyway?

By: LSF

LSF — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 00:15:21 +0000

Unfortunately they’ve had problems in the past. Nasty stuff.

By: Jeanne

Jeanne — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:45:09 +0000

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?

By: Joelle

Joelle — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:11:25 +0000

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.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:31:20 +0000

You should submit that to passiveaggressivenotes.com

By: Feathers

Feathers — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:35:49 +0000

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.

By: Shantanu

Shantanu — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:29:48 +0000

Completely agree! Poor judgement. Or maybe that was part of his/her Halloween theme, being the unpleasant Grinch. 🙂

By: Chrisos

Chrisos — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:08:10 +0000

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.

By: Krista

Krista — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:21:23 +0000

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.

By: Richard Leader

Richard Leader — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 09:08:40 +0000

Personally, I’d be happier to eat here knowing that they don’t let in kids dressed in stupid costumes begging for sweets… 😉