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Stephen Jones's avatar

Lucky I wasn't there. It would have been a much shorter and nasty outcome. By the time I had explained the facts of life to the helicopter mom they would have been disappeared to never to be seen again. All done with a satisfying smile. The portrait of Charles (RIP) was spot on.

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Joyce Wadler's avatar

We missed you that night, Steve. Every

night we’re there, actually. The place is not the same without you.

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Irna Gadd's avatar

I can't decide what the funnies part / line of this piece was -- Elon? Where did I hid those Pepperidge Farm Milanos? Oy fucking vey? (for some reason I can't get italics here, so you'll have to trust I know YOU used italics). I LOVE this piece - I've so often wanted to do what you had the courage to do, with parents of out-of-control kids as well as with young adults who think restaurants are frat parties. After thinking about, and re-reading your piece, I vote for Oy fucking vey!

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Paul Vitello's avatar

Had to stop at ‘Elon,’ and resume several hours later after laugh-triggered-hypoxia subsided. A.o.k. now.

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Philip Levine's avatar

Hi Joyce, I have two children. They are grown now, but when they were little they did not run around in restaurants. Had they done so, we would have taken them outside. It is not fair to the other patrons to let your kids run wild. You (and Herb) were right.

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Irna Gadd's avatar

I did the same, and my children did the same with theirs. It's obvious - at least to some of us.

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Roz Warren's avatar

Chappy Chanukah, Joyce!

Great story.

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Linda Lee's avatar

Spelling? Isn't חֲנֻכָּה‎ or חֲנוּכָּה‎ (Ḥănukā) so why is the "Ch" version traditional?

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Joyce Wadler's avatar

Linda,

The Ch spelling is old school and accepted by Word Police in most nations.

- J.

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Laura Auerbach's avatar

Oh and...Sarah was Abraham's wife. Miriam was Moses's sister.

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Joyce Wadler's avatar

oops. Than you, Laura.

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Therry Neilsen-Steinhardt's avatar

Steady on, Joyce, when Moses wants to make nice with Pharaoh, he tells Sarah to tell Pharaoh she's his sister so Pharaoh can schtup her without consequences, and he later pulls the same stunt with King Abimelech. Hebrew Bible nerds LOVE your column too, Joyce.

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Laura Auerbach's avatar

You give me much cheer this Chanukah season. I loved this story. I too have spoken up in restaurants and other places. I'm lucky I've never been punched.

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Christina Johnson's avatar

It IS a Wonderful life! I just heard a bell ring, and because of you, an angel got its wings!

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MaeriSZ's avatar

Hi Joyce, I hate noisy kids in restaurants. This piece finally motivated me to upgrade to paid instead of hanging around for free.

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Leslie Fry's avatar

oh the details, the twists, thank you for the laughs and sheer pleasure of reading you!

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Dec 8, 2023Edited
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Therry Neilsen-Steinhardt's avatar

Honey, d o you make housecalls? There's a fresh gingerbread biscotti in it for ya!

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