When you take your infant or child to a restaurant in the US, what is expected of you from other diners? What does the restaurant expect from you as a parent? What does everyone expect your child to do?
They expect your child to sit in their high chair or your lap throughout the meal and for you keep your child quiet. You wouldn’t want to disturb the other diners, right?
Well, the culture in Uruguay is completely the opposite of that in the US when it comes to babies. Our first day in Uruguay, the relocation guy took us to a nice steak house in Carrasco for lunch. They brought over a high chair for Zoë, which she happily sat in while she snacked on bread sticks and chorizo.
If you have kids, you know they can only sit still for so long. Being only one-year old, Zoë has a short attention span. She started to fuss so I pulled her out of the high chair so she could sit with me for a while… the standard action I would take in the US.
Immediately, we were instructed to put her on the floor and let her run around… What?
I must have had quite a look of confusion on my face as I insisted that she was fine with me. After all, we were at a white tablecloth restaurant in the most exclusive community in Montevideo.
It would be like letting her run around Donovan’s or Fleming’s in La Jolla. Surely, he couldn’t be serious. He again insisted that I put her down. “Let her be a child… put her on the floor, she’ll be fine.”
So, reluctantly, I stood her up on the floor and she took off running across the room. Before I could jump up and chase after her, we were told, “Leave her.” It was explained it is customary for children to be allowed to roam around the restaurant in Uruguay when they are finished eating.
The wait staff keeps an eye on them while you enjoy your meal and makes sure they don’t run out the door or anything (or if you’re out shopping, the store’s staff will keep an eye on them so you can shop). Don’t get me wrong, we keep an eagle eye on her, it’s nice knowing that others are watching out for her too.
While letting Zoë run around and enjoy herself in restaurants was a foreign concept to Brian and I (hey we are in a foreign country) we had both agreed when moving to Uruguay that we would fully embrace the culture.
So, as uncomfortable as it made us, we let her run around and enjoy herself. We were equally surprised when all of the other diners were smiling and waving at her, and happily chatting away to her. No one was annoyed that a baby was running around the restaurant singing away.
It was at that moment Zoë discovered she is a rock star in Uruguay. Everyone loves to come up and talk to her and fawn over her. Her head might grow to be as big as her daddy’s if we’re not careful ☺
Wow, what a breath of fresh air. I think it’ll be nice living in a country where babies are seen as beautiful blessings that should be allowed to enjoy themselves and their childhood.
By the way, for lunch we had:
Chorizo and grilled provolone
A green salad
Pumpkin
3 normal Uruguayan portions of prime rib (15-18oz cuts)
Potatoes with rosemary
3 bottles of very fine wine
3-4 bottles of mineral water
Coffee
Dessert (a massive fruit cup and flan)
We were there for 2 ½ to 3 hours. Our bill came out (with tip) to less than U$S 100. Again, this was a Donovan’s / Fleming’s style white tablecloth restaurant.