OT - would you please shut up! (not about anyone here)

I have seen/heard this over and over again. I can't beleive how rude people are. I'm usually ok if the people are hard of hearing but the squealing kids make me nuts.  I can't imagine anyone with a hearing aid tolerating the squeal. It must be ear splitting to have that amplified.  It seems like basic manners to me that are not being taught.

I was having a stressful day at work today so took myself out to lunch for a break.  The Hostess sat me next to 3 little kids, the oldest of which may have been two...

I was grateful to go back to work to get away from the stress of their screaming.

Parents, when your kids are unhappy and screaming in a restaurant, please get up and take them outside to calm them down if ordering up some quick  crackers does not work. 

Patrons in a restaurant should not be subjected to your little ones screaming melt downs.

I would've moved while making it obvious that I'm moving because of you. I usually tell kids, "Go back with your Mom!" as loud ad I could to get moms attention.

Speaking of "inside voice" I work in a plasma collection facility. The other day one of the donors was talking really loudly on his phone. I  mean everyone in the whole place could hear him and got all the details of his personal phone conversation. One of our nurses finally said" Sir, could you please use your inside voice." LOL I wanted to hug her!

I really don't understand parents anymore.
As the mother of a 2 yr old in the throes of her terror; I don't take her out to eat after 2 pm.. Although she is generally really well behaved; when she was a little over 1 yr old I had a guy ask me if she was a baby doll b/c he hadn't heard a peep out of her & was impressed at how well she sat & fed herself with no issues.

Now, not so much, but I know that about my child & the phase she is going though. I know what she can and can't handle so I make sure others aren't subjected to the madness that is my life lol. I always disliked hearing the screaming kids in the stores/restaurants when I was pre-baby & I remember that, so I try to be considerate of those who haven't developed the "Toddler Mommy Deaf Ear" as I like to call it.

Panera seems to be notorious for this type of behavior ... I don't know of anyone who has successfully been able to get work done in one.

This is the point where you be assertive and simply move. If there is a waitress ask for a new table. I'm pretty sure Ann Landers or Dear Abby covered this years ago. Don't spend your precious time letting them get on your nerves.
Getting on your nerves is your ex's job, not theirs.

I'm sorry you had such an unpleasant time.  I agree.  This makes me crazy.  The other day I was at Souplantation with my Mom and Aunt.  Next to us, there was a family of four, with two little girls probably 7 and 4 years old.  At one point, the youngest hit the oldest and the oldest responded in kind, so the youngest started crying, screaming and carrying on.  When I gave them all a look, the mother tells me "what!  this is a public place, what do you want me to do ... hit her?"  I gave her a piece of my mind and the entire family shut up.

I believe that being in a public place means we all have to be considerate of the other people who are using the place and specially a restaurant where one should not get upset while eating, it is not conducive to good digestion.  In my house I have the right to scream at the top of my lungs while doing hand stands naked, I don't care, it's my house.  In a public place, not so much.  The worshiping of the child in our society is out of hand.  This generation is raising some very inconsiderate people.  God protects us from them when we are old.