Sir , – With reference to Donald Clarke's article "Badly behaved children don't deserve a place at the cafe table" (November 1st), I have to point out that things could be worse. Last week my wife and I were in a restaurant in Monaco where there were three dogs present – and one of them was seated at a table being fed by its lady owner. – Yours, etc,
KEN RYAN,
Dalkey, Co Dublin.
Sir, – The uncontrolled children problem is not an exclusive preserve of dining establishments. As I recently joined a queue at an express checkout in a local supermarket, I watched in disbelief as a woman loudly encouraged her toddler to scan 18 items for purchase. The child dropped some goods and had to repeatedly scan others as the mother cooed and beamed her approval, oblivious to the nine customers who waited patiently and without complaint. I do not classify myself as a curmudgeon but I suggest the Victorians had the right idea. – Yours, etc,
FRANK BYRNE,
Terenure, Dublin 6W.