Demon kids?

[MartDude]

Last Saturday evening, Gill and I went to try out our newly-revamped local Indian/Bangla restaurant. When we arrived, the centre was taken up by a large group (15-18?) of teenagers, mostly aged about 15, most of them girls, celebrating one of their number's birthday. Some were definitely tipsy - but no more - and the group as a whole was exuberant, boisterous, and yes, rather noisy from time to time.

At an adjacent table - behind me - was a small group, 2 men and two women, mid to late 30's. As the evening progressed, this group became more and more intolerant of the birthday party. The two men took it in turns to shout and swear at the kids - 'shut the f**k up' etc; they were flicking vees at them, and according to Gill (who could see them) were making obscene gestures at some of the girls; they took photos (think 15 year-old girls in their party finery, making mountains out of molehills etc). The girls protested at this, and were subjected to further abuse and obscenities. Eventually, the 'adults' decided to leave, shouting as they left they were going to call the police, and calling one of the girls 'fat slag'; she was pretty well-built, tall with it, bright red hair - rather put me in mind of Boudicca when she flew at this chap, who beat a very sharp retreat (found out later he was chased to a nearby pub). Final parting shot from same chap was to spit in the face of another girl.

Naturally the girls were very upset - birthday outing ruined, publicly abused and insulted. Gill and I chatted to them for a while, untl a couple of mothers arrived to take charge; the girls were polite, well-spoken, well-mannered (the few lads in the group had by this time buggered off).

Now, it seems to me (and Gill) that the loutish yobs here were the thirty-something blokes (egged on by their partners); they were the ones repeatedly shouting, swearing, being abusive and making obscene gestures. As for the kids - well, I’ve often seen far worse behaviour from groups of adults - hen and stag parties, office/works parties, rugby club outings, mess dinners when I was in the TA, etc. A very notable instance of double standards, I feel. No wonder so many youngsters feel alienated from adult society, when they are so treated by their supposed elders and betters

[D-Rider]

What a shame for the youngsters - and you and Gill.

There are plenty of good kids out there but society tends to label them all together as the "problem"

[BikerGran]

I remember being at a hen night in a restaurant some years ago where we drank rather a lot and ended up dancing on the tables etc. The bride phoned the restaurant next day to apologise and was told there was no need for apology as we hadn't done any damage or used any foul language - and their other customers had found us entertaining!