Breastfeeding in restaurants

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Whilst I agree with you main point, I wouldn't call murder (a man-made concept) natural. Killing (for food or in defence) is natural, murder is a different type of killing.

I'll elaborate:

Killing to obtain desired things is natural. Killing in anger is natural. Killing to obtain a place in a hierarchy (either by replacing the killed person or by instilling fear in others) is natural. Even killing purely for the pleasure of killing is natural to some people.

I referred to those things as murder because that's the appropriate word for those things in English at this time. "murder" means "killing without the approval of the relevant authority". Is that really an artificial concept? Various social structures and authorities are natural (e.g. packs), so authority isn't an artificial concept.
 
So is having a pee but people get arsey if you do that in the street.

Again, point proven, ridiculous comparison.

If you stand up and take a pee in a restaurant that is wrong for obvious reasons. If a baby takes of their nappy and ****es in a restaurant that is wrong for obvious reasons.

If you quietly enjoy your meal in a restaurant that is acceptable.
If a baby quietly enjoys their meal in a restaurant that makes others 'uncomfortable'.

Go figure, better still, don't be so scared and offended by boobs!
 
I lived in Germany for 5 years and not once did I see a baby being breastfed in a restaurant. Not that it would bother me, but it certainly wasn't commonplace. In fact I don't even remember seeing many babies/kids in restaurants/bars at all.

Well perhaps Germany share that similar mentality, but Spain, France (where I'm from), Italy and other places where I spent many years of my life, whilst it wasn't "commonplace" to feed in a restaurant it wasn't considered a bad thing, and as expected the mothers did so with discretion - i.e. covering themselves with a blanket. No one batted an eyelid.

Breastfeeding in public places was never deemed a weird or odd or unacceptable thing to do.
 
Whilst I agree with you main point, I wouldn't call murder (a man-made concept) natural. Killing (for food or in defence) is natural, murder is a different type of killing.

Murder only becomes murder as man subscribes the right and wrong, good and bad to his actions. The rest of the animal kingdom applies less scruples. Animals don't always just kill for food or in defence. Ever seen a cat tease a mouse?
 
Why is everyone making such outlandish comparisons?

Instead of comparing breastfeeding to murder, nudity, masturbation, or whatever else. Why not compare it to something that is as equally beneficial to the health, development and wellbeing of mother and child?

Many people seem to be missing the point, that the babies health and basic need are being met through breastfeeding.

You're missing the point, despite it being spelled out explicitly in several posts.

Nobody has compared breastfeeding to "murder, nudity, masturbation, or whatever else". Not one single person has done that in any post.

Argument: A must be allowed everywhere at all times in all circumstances without any restrictions because it's natural.

Counter: That doesn't make sense. There are many natural things that are restricted to certain places, forbidden in public or illegal, such as B, C and D.

Explanation that shouldn't be required: That isn't saying that A, B, C and D are comparable. It's saying that not only is the "it's natural" argument false but that the person making it doesn't even believe it themself.
 
Well perhaps Germany share that similar mentality, but Spain, France (where I'm from), Italy and other places where I spent many years of my life, whilst it wasn't "commonplace" to feed in a restaurant it wasn't considered a bad thing, and as expected the mothers did so with discretion - i.e. covering themselves with a blanket. No one batted an eyelid.

Breastfeeding in public places was never deemed a weird or odd or unacceptable thing to do.

I wouldn't say it's a bad thing here. Aside from the obvious "snobs being snobs" and militant sensationalism, the average person wouldn't bat an eyelid at breastfeeding. It would however, be inappropriate if the mother had full-blown bust on show due to reasons we've already gone over. Or if the mother has an axe to grind about it being a badge of honour: "I'M A MUM, I'M BETTER THAN YOU! RAWR!"

But again, I sincerely doubt that the majority of mothers are actually like that as most wish to be discreet and simply attend to the needs of their child. By and large I would say aside from the prudes and snobs, society respects that.
 
You're missing the point, despite it being spelled out explicitly in several posts.

Nobody has compared breastfeeding to "murder, nudity, masturbation, or whatever else". Not one single person has done that in any post.

Argument: A must be allowed everywhere at all times in all circumstances without any restrictions because it's natural.

Counter: That doesn't make sense. There are many natural things that are restricted to certain places, forbidden in public or illegal, such as B, C and D.

Explanation that shouldn't be required: That isn't saying that A, B, C and D are comparable. It's saying that not only is the "it's natural" argument false but that the person making it doesn't even believe it themself.

You're missing the point, despite it being spelled out explicitly in several posts by myself.

Post 181 clearly compares breast feeding in public to peeing in public. Just to get that out of the way.

The fact that you are comparing things that are purely natural doesn't really make sense seeing that this is a thread about breast feeding. Try comparing things that are natural and beneficial to mother and child.
 
Here's an idea. People with infants should just be banned from restaurants full stop. No one gets offended at a woman getting a breast out and I can eat my food without the sound of a screaming child.
 
It is foolish to try and appease every offence taken because people take offence so easily. Can't they just look elsewhere ? Who goes to a restaurant and stares at the other diners all the way through their meal ?
 
I wouldn't say it's a bad thing here. Aside from the obvious "snobs being snobs" and militant sensationalism, the average person wouldn't bat an eyelid at breastfeeding. It would however, be inappropriate if the mother had full-blown bust on show due to reasons we've already gone over. Or if the mother has an axe to grind about it being a badge of honour: "I'M A MUM, I'M BETTER THAN YOU! RAWR!"

But again, I sincerely doubt that the majority of mothers are actually like that as most wish to be discreet and simply attend to the needs of their child. By and large I would say aside from the prudes and snobs, society respects that.

I don't disagree. I think there is a lot of sensationalism wrapped around this and the mother is out to prove a point that doesn't need to be proven. As you say generally people tend to be discreet - however, I think throwing the toys out of the pram and making a song and dance about maybe being less discrete really is a non issue. I kinda think to myself "so what?".
 
Murder only becomes murder as man subscribes the right and wrong, good and bad to his actions. The rest of the animal kingdom applies less scruples. Animals don't always just kill for food or in defence. Ever seen a cat tease a mouse?

I'm not certain that humans are the only animals that have the concept of acceptable and unacceptable killing. Other animals have social structures and authorities and customs, so I think it's possible that they have the concept of acceptable and unacceptable killing. Not that they use the same standards to make that distinction as we do, but that they make that distinction.

Besides, even if they don't it doesn't change the point. It appears to be a naturally occuring concept in humans. The criteria for acceptable and unacceptable killing may vary widely, but the concept of acceptable and unacceptable killing remains.
 
Here's an idea. People with infants should just be banned from restaurants full stop. No one gets offended at a woman getting a breast out and I can eat my food without the sound of a screaming child.

Yay for the human race! Ban our future citizens from exposure to the social experience from dinning out.

I have taken my kids to restaurants since they were 14 days old. Sure they very occasionally make a bit of noise, but they are kids! Now they are over 3 and are so used to eating out its no big deal for them, they sit in near silence coloring in or whatever. No big deal.
 
I go to a resturant to eat - no one takes offense
Mother goes to a resturant to eat - no one takes offense
Child goes to a resturant to eat - no one rakes offense
Baby eats in a resturant - nuke it with harpoons etc

Boobs are for breastfeeding, boobs are made of flesh, the same flesh as in arms and legs, why are boobs offensive or more offensive than any other body part?
 
Yay for the human race! Ban our future citizens from exposure to the social experience from dinning out.

I have taken my kids to restaurants since they were 14 days old. Sure they very occasionally make a bit of noise, but they are kids! Now they are over 3 and are so used to eating out its no big deal for them, they sit in near silence coloring in or whatever. No big deal.

We're talking about Claridges here, not your local Frankie and Bennys with a menu for them to colour with crayons. I take my kids out to restaurants/gastropubs all the time, but I wouldn't take them somewhere like Claridges.
 
You're missing the point, despite it being spelled out explicitly in several posts by myself.

I'm not missing your point. I'm saying that it's wrong because it's based on claiming other people have said things that they haven't said.

Post 181 clearly compares breast feeding in public to peeing in public. Just to get that out of the way.
No, it doesn't.

The fact that you are comparing things that are purely natural doesn't really make sense seeing that this is a thread about breast feeding. Try comparing things that are natural and beneficial to mother and child.
No comparison has been made except by you. You are expecting people to ignore their own position and argue against a straw argument that you've made up about something else.

The fact that people have been pointing out that "natural" does not mean "must never be restricted in any way in any place in any circumstances" makes so much sense that it shouldn't need to be pointed out at all. The fact that they provide examples to support their argument also makes sense.
 
We're talking about Claridges here, not your local Frankie and Bennys with a menu for them to colour with crayons. I take my kids out to restaurants/gastropubs all the time, but I wouldn't take them somewhere like Claridges.

Before posting a reply, why not actually take the time to read what you are replying to.

The post I replied to (189) clearly states that kids should be banned from 'restaurants'. Notice the 's' on the end, that means all restaurants.

So now we have cleared that up, the poster clearly states he believes you should not be taking your kids to Frankie and Bennys. That is what I was disagreeing with.
 
I'm not missing your point. I'm saying that it's wrong because it's based on claiming other people have said things that they haven't said.

No, it doesn't.

No comparison has been made except by you. You are expecting people to ignore their own position and argue against a straw argument that you've made up about something else.

The fact that people have been pointing out that "natural" does not mean "must never be restricted in any way in any place in any circumstances" makes so much sense that it shouldn't need to be pointed out at all. The fact that they provide examples to support their argument also makes sense.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoals View Post
Women should be able to feed their baby where ever they want, it is the most natural thing in the world.

So is having a pee but people get arsey if you do that in the street.


How is that not a comparison?
 
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