Toronto Life - May 2008
Posted by Sheryl Kirby in magazines, news and media on April 16, 2008 at 8:58 pm
For the record, despite what it says in Toronto Life’s cover story by Katrina Onstad about hipsters with kids - I do not have any children. The lead article, which looks at the trend for 30-somethings to drag smaller versions of themselves everywhere, including restaurants, references a comment I made a year ago here on TasteTO about some hipsters I once watched almost lose their kid because they were too busy comparing tattoos. I was never contacted about the piece, either to be interviewed or afterward for fact-checking, and somewhere in the translation, the details from another commenter were attributed to me, so that all of a sudden, according to Toronto Life, I have kids. We’ve taken to referring to them as our “invisible children”. But friends and acquaintances who have been calling and emailing, rest assured, all of our children are furry, walk on four legs, and go outside to pee.
Now, in terms of food article, which is what we’re all about here, after all…
- Ivy Knight checks out which Toronto chefs are using poppy vinegar, and on what dishes
- Ossington Avenue jumps the shark with a full-length feature by James Chatto. Nothing against Chatto, but even he knows the score;
As one long-time resident suggested to me, “If Toronto Life is doing a column on us, can Starbucks be far behind?”
- Signe Langford offers a nifty assortment of fun food stuff. Oh, dude… except that Fruli. Eugh!
- Krystina Ceccarelli explores the wonderful world of gnocchi
- David Lawrason looks at organic wines
- Sasha Chapman reports on the raw deal Ontarians get when it comes to raw milk cheese
- Denise Balkissoon recommends brunch places for different kinds of Moms (but not me! Not ME!!!)
April 17th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I can’t help it. I have to say it, “I hate hipster parents.”
I sincerely hope that these people will not let their spawn take out student loans, etc. because the parents spent all their money on ridiculously expensive strollers instead of an RESP fund.
Oh, and the key for eating out with children, is consideration. Treat others how you would like to be treated. I’m not saying that babies aren’t allowed to cry, etc. but if you know that your kid does not do well when you go out, then please don’t force that upon everyone else. It’s not like breastfeeding! Take your stroller out to a restaurant, sure, but make sure that it doesn’t block the aisles, etc.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. :)
April 17th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Hey Raven - no problem. :)
As a non-parent, I have no problem with breastfeeding, or even babies crying. My issue is when parents let their kids run wild, under the pretense of “oh, they’re just kids.” When we go out in public, there is a certain set of behaviours that we all adhere to. In a restaurant, we sit politely, we don’t scream and yell (well, unless the place is loud), we don’t get up and run around. If I’m not allowed to run up and down the aisles, or wander around and touch the tables of other diners with my potentially dirty hands - why should toddlers be? If I have to go to a washroom to do my business, why is a parent allowed to change a dirty diaper on the table where food is served? (Yes, I once witnessed this!) If a child can go out and sit still and behave for the time it takes to eat a meal, that’s great, and I’m all for “class trips” to teach kids manners, etiquette and most importantly, about food. But if your kid can’t sit still, or doesn’t want to try new things, or if you just can’t be bothered to keep an eye on them while you’re eating - get a sitter!!
April 18th, 2008 at 10:57 am
Oh yeah, I definitely agree with all of your points there.
Alas there simply is no mandatory etiquette class for parenting (or for many other things!!) Some people… *shakes head*
April 24th, 2008 at 4:27 am
Ugh. They’ve invaded Portland, too (Oregon, that is). When I moved here eight years ago to get away from the over-domesticated population of my native Michigan (go Wings!), Portland was full of cool single people. Now one out of three of those people are married and have a couple toddlers in Crocs and Iron Maiden T-shirts. Shit, I run into the lead singer of Sleater-Kinney at the video store on a regular basis and even she’s got a couple of ‘em! I guess this is just biology at work, but my complaints are pretty much the same as yours, and I think we’re more than justified in those complaints. The solution: border collies. They’re smart enough to babysit and they’ll work for kibble. So hipster parents, listen up: Get yourself a herding dog or two and leave the kids at home next time you’re out at one of my favorite restaurants!