Conflict Between Child's Mother and Cafe Owner at Cafe
Protests Continue Over Phone After Leaving the Store
Regarding the socially hot topic of 'No Kids Zone' (No Kids Zone), a story about a cafe owner who operated a No Kids Zone having a conflict with a customer accompanied by children has come to light, sparking heated debates among netizens. A No Kids Zone refers to restaurants or cafes that prohibit entry to customers accompanied by infants or young children.
On the 15th, a post by owner A, who operates the second floor of a cafe as a No Kids Zone due to structural safety concerns, gained attention on an online community. According to A’s explanation, the previous day, female customer B visited the cafe with two boys and took a seat on the second floor. A informed her that the second floor was operated as a No Kids Zone and requested that she use the first floor instead, but B insisted on using the second floor, citing no available seats on the first floor, leading to a disagreement.
B said, "My kids don’t run around or make noise like other children," and "I will manage them well, so please take our order." When A explained that this would violate the cafe’s rules and that taking an order was not possible, B responded, "How can a place like this exist?" and left the cafe without ordering.
Afterward, B called A’s cafe to complain. B raised her voice, saying, "Is it okay to treat customers like that?" and "How can you speak like that?" In response, A referred to B as "ajumma" (a middle-aged woman) and challenged her to come to the store to discuss her complaints.
Netizens who read the post reacted with comments such as, "I don’t understand why people bring kids to a No Kids Zone," "People who think only their own children are precious are really selfish," and "It’s naive to think you can control your child however you want." On the other hand, some netizens said, "The owner’s response seemed excessive," and "Even if it’s a No Kids Zone, if the first floor is full, they should have been more considerate and allowed them to go upstairs."
Meanwhile, this is not the first issue surrounding No Kids Zones. In August last year, a cafe located in Hallim-eup, Jeju, posted on its official Instagram that the operation of its Kids Zone (children’s area) was temporarily suspended. Cafe owner C explained that the reason for suspending the Kids Zone was "due to excessive complaints from some customers causing severe stress to the staff."
Additionally, the Jeju Research Institute’s Social Welfare Research Center announced that as of 2023, there are 542 registered No Kids Zone establishments nationwide. It is expected that the number of No Kids Zone establishments will continue to increase. This interpretation is based on a survey conducted by Korea Research last year targeting 1,000 men and women aged 18 and over nationwide, where the majority (73%) supported allowing No Kids Zones.
In response, the Ministry of Health and Welfare disclosed a survey on No Kids Zone businesses in December last year and launched the "Raising Awareness ON for Children" campaign to foster a child-friendly culture that supports healthy and proper growth of children. The Ministry also announced plans to communicate desirable behavioral guidelines that parents, business owners, and the public can follow to promote a child-friendly culture.
■ Desirable Behavioral Guidelines to Foster a Child-Friendly Culture
- Teach children public etiquette
- Correct children’s improper behavior when they do not follow public etiquette
- If a child makes a mistake affecting others, stop the behavior and apologize
2. For Business Owners
- Welcome various customers, including those with children
- Mark areas that may be dangerous for children
- Listen to and assist when help is requested
3. For Other Customers
- Look kindly upon families with children
- Understand with a broad mind if children show some clumsiness while learning etiquette
- Follow public etiquette first so children can learn through daily life
<Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare>
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