It's my birthday today, so me and my friend toddled off to Frankie and Benny's for a chilled out evening. All was going well until a group of around 30 children of around eleven years of age suddenly descended on the place and took up an entire wall of tables. There were adults with them, in fact one old bloke was videoing them, while the children were shouting, screaming and bouncing on the chairs. Everybody in the place that wasn't part of this troop ended up staring mortified at them as you couldn't speak to each other over the racket. They then began popping all the balloons in the room, whether they were on their tables, or those of others who were eating there, it made no difference to them. The girl who tried to get at the balloons on my table was given short thrift and sent away as in a piqué of attempting to keep some me lance of this being my birthday meal I wanted to keep the balloons attached to the table. Chatting to one of the waitresses, it turned out this assault on the senses was a prom night outing. They had turned up half an hour early and there tables was not completely ready. The adults with the group turned out to be the teachers. This rabble of unruly brats spoilt what would have been a nice evening for us, and did nothing for demonstrating how to keep control of children on an outing. It appeared that the teachers did nothing whatsoever apart from watch the mayhem unfold. Call me old fashioned, but since when did eleven year olds have a prom night? Or however old these little rat bags were on leaving junior school. When I was a kid we had a school disco, at least the only adults to be inconvenienced were the teachers and the parents, unlike this rabble of rungs who ruined the nights of a good few paying customers tonight. If we hadn't already ordered and been sat waiting for our main we would have left minutes after it became obvious that the teachers had no interest in trying to keep any sense of control over the group.

its what happens at the end of the prom that worries me if its for 11 year olds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

(and happy birthday mand!!!!!!)

its what happens at the end of the prom that worries me if its for 11 year olds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

(and happy birthday mand!!!!!!)

It's not really that I mind kids having a prom night. But it was always supposed to be represent leaving school, becoming an adult, and trundling off into the big wide world. Not leaving junior school. They should have had a day out at flamingo land or gone to macdonalds or summat, instead of inflicting themselves on normal people. Compare this lot to the pics that 300zx666 put up of Ian jr the other day off to his 'proper' prom, looking great

It's not really that I mind kids having a prom night. But it was always supposed to be represent leaving school, becoming an adult, and trundling off into the big wide world. Not leaving junior school. They should have had a day out at flamingo land or gone to macdonalds or summat, instead of inflicting themselves on normal people. Compare this lot to the pics that 300zx666 put up of Ian jr the other day off to his 'proper' prom, looking great

Flamingo land!

 

I used to love going there when i was a kid :D

 

good old UK holidays :D

Flamingo land!

 

I used to love going there when i was a kid :D

 

good old UK holidays :D

Happy Birthday Roobarb:happybday: put your date of birth in your profile so we all know when it is and if you want to keep your age a secret leave out the year:biggrin:

 

Seconded - a belated many happy returns Roobarb and (F&B's aside) I hope you enjoyed the rest of your day!!!

 

Nice one Gary your a star!

 

Ok back to the thread, I can only feel your frustration on your night out be it a quick meal or a slap up do there is no respect these days and yes I know I am sounding like an old f*rt but why the hell do kids get better respect then adults baffles me.

 

I see every day the descending age of childhood, when I was 12 or 13yrs old I could not wait to be "grown up" leave school and be old enough to drive a car.... but no I had to wait, no short cuts.

 

Not now, I think its so sad these kids are part of the this "shrinking childhood syndrome" where they have learnt to demand access to all manner of things that was once the preserve of "grown ups" Prom nights is just one of these occassions, 14, 15, 16 year olds have end of term do`s that clearly are an Americanism and have stretched limo`s Hummers, hundreds of £ss spent on dresses and suits, it really is the thin end of the wedge with most 17 year old having new or nearly new cars I have grave worries for their future, after all what have they to aspire to? nothing... they have had it all before they are 20yrs old, it is no wonder they don`t respect grown ups because the grown ups have become the children been told what the score is by their own minors.... and now teachers..... no don`t get me started on teachers!!

Jeff

 

So true Jeff - we come from the same school of thought matey!! And as for respect - the little fookers of today use the "R" word when it suits them; like they deserve respect from the off. When I always learned - and still believe - that one must first earn it.....

 

And my final comment on the subject - I have 2 branches of Frankie & Benny's within 12 miles; 1 in High Wycombe and 1 in Aylesbury. One of my best frinds and his wife quite like F&Bs; so on the last couple of occasions we have been out together, that's where we have gone.

 

But like Roobarb's experience (although not so bad as we were not celebrating anything), I found the place was full of over-excited 12 year olds; none of which was fitted with a volume control. And sadly the food in the branches I have visited is pretty ropey too - so I can truly liken the whole experience to a McD's birthday party from my school days............:clown:

 

Richard:laugh::rockon:

Happy Birthday Roobarb:happybday: put your date of birth in your profile so we all know when it is and if you want to keep your age a secret leave out the year:biggrin:

 

Seconded - a belated many happy returns Roobarb and (F&B's aside) I hope you enjoyed the rest of your day!!!

 

Nice one Gary your a star!

 

Ok back to the thread, I can only feel your frustration on your night out be it a quick meal or a slap up do there is no respect these days and yes I know I am sounding like an old f*rt but why the hell do kids get better respect then adults baffles me.

 

I see every day the descending age of childhood, when I was 12 or 13yrs old I could not wait to be "grown up" leave school and be old enough to drive a car.... but no I had to wait, no short cuts.

 

Not now, I think its so sad these kids are part of the this "shrinking childhood syndrome" where they have learnt to demand access to all manner of things that was once the preserve of "grown ups" Prom nights is just one of these occassions, 14, 15, 16 year olds have end of term do`s that clearly are an Americanism and have stretched limo`s Hummers, hundreds of £ss spent on dresses and suits, it really is the thin end of the wedge with most 17 year old having new or nearly new cars I have grave worries for their future, after all what have they to aspire to? nothing... they have had it all before they are 20yrs old, it is no wonder they don`t respect grown ups because the grown ups have become the children been told what the score is by their own minors.... and now teachers..... no don`t get me started on teachers!!

Jeff

 

So true Jeff - we come from the same school of thought matey!! And as for respect - the little fookers of today use the "R" word when it suits them; like they deserve respect from the off. When I always learned - and still believe - that one must first earn it.....

 

And my final comment on the subject - I have 2 branches of Frankie & Benny's within 12 miles; 1 in High Wycombe and 1 in Aylesbury. One of my best frinds and his wife quite like F&Bs; so on the last couple of occasions we have been out together, that's where we have gone.

 

But like Roobarb's experience (although not so bad as we were not celebrating anything), I found the place was full of over-excited 12 year olds; none of which was fitted with a volume control. And sadly the food in the branches I have visited is pretty ropey too - so I can truly liken the whole experience to a McD's birthday party from my school days............:clown:

 

Richard:laugh::rockon:

 

As proof, we have removed the February half term from our second semester, not very americanised eh?? :D

 

So were not all clueless idiots ;)

 

 

Wikipedia meaning of the word Semester

A 'semester' (from the Latin meaning "six-monthly") has come to mean either of two academic terms, generally excluding the summer or January terms, if any, and so is about 16 to 18 weeks long. The word 'semester' is sometimes used as a synonym for a 'term', as in a 'summer semester'.

 

It would appear that the word "semester" is not of American origin after all, it was highjacked, Americanised and then sent back .... but been a teacher you would know that ............... :clap: only messing matey.

 

Jeff TT

 

As proof, we have removed the February half term from our second semester, not very americanised eh?? :D

 

So were not all clueless idiots ;)

 

 

Wikipedia meaning of the word Semester

A 'semester' (from the Latin meaning "six-monthly") has come to mean either of two academic terms, generally excluding the summer or January terms, if any, and so is about 16 to 18 weeks long. The word 'semester' is sometimes used as a synonym for a 'term', as in a 'summer semester'.

 

It would appear that the word "semester" is not of American origin after all, it was highjacked, Americanised and then sent back .... but been a teacher you would know that ............... :clap: only messing matey.

 

Jeff TT

Nice one Gary your a star!

 

Ok back to the thread, I can only feel your frustration on your night out be it a quick meal or a slap up do there is no respect these days and yes I know I am sounding like an old f*rt but why the hell do kids get better respect then adults baffles me.

 

I see every day the descending age of childhood, when I was 12 or 13yrs old I could not wait to be "grown up" leave school and be old enough to drive a car.... but no I had to wait, no short cuts.

 

Not now, I think its so sad these kids are part of the this "shrinking childhood syndrome" where they have learnt to demand access to all manner of things that was once the preserve of "grown ups" Prom nights is just one of these occassions, 14, 15, 16 year olds have end of term do`s that clearly are an Americanism and have stretched limo`s Hummers, hundreds of £ss spent on dresses and suits, it really is the thin end of the wedge with most 17 year old having new or nearly new cars I have grave worries for their future, after all what have they to aspire to? nothing... they have had it all before they are 20yrs old, it is no wonder they don`t respect grown ups because the grown ups have become the children been told what the score is by their own minors.... and now teachers..... no don`t get me started on teachers!!

Jeff

 

I agree there is very little or no respect left from some children these days, it's all these do gooders saying you can't chastise your kids, and parents making excuses for their childrens horrible behaviour and trying to blame others for it. As you quite rightly say Jeff, don't get me started on teachers!!!

 

However, I do sympathise with some of the kids these days. Ian Jr. just had a prom night, however his school know that their pupils that attend (only the good ones, if any of them have done anything untoward they will not be invited) will be on their best behaviour, so much so that they hire Haydock racecourse hotel as the venue for the senior prom, and have a proper sit down meal.

 

Yes, I also agree that it is very American, we are only ever a few years behind the States in whatever we do. But the good kids deserve something to remember at leaving school age. Ian Jr. had his prom the other night, no doubt you have seen the photo's, and yes we did shell out for a nice suit, and we hired him a Lamborghini, all in recognition of his exam results, believe me, if he had have had bad school results, he would not have got what he did.

 

The other point that I would like to bring up, is the price of car insurance for youngsters. People wonder why young kids are driving around in new cars, well the new car that they have purchased with the free insurance is probably cheaper to buy than trying to get insured with a second hand car.

I actually got an insurance quote for Jr. the other week, I stated that he was 17, no no claims discount as he has just passed his test (he hasn't, and isn't 17 until January) but I thought I would give it a go. Would anyone like to guess the first quote I got back for a Fiat Chinquito (that is probably not spelled right) but you know, the smallest Fiat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

£13,500!!! Where the hell do they get that from out of a £400.00 car? It is absolutely rediculous, so youngsters don't have much of an option these days. They either drive around with no insurance, or drive a new car, I know I would rather see Jr. in a new car and fully insured. I would never let him out on the road without insurance, so that is possibly the better option for us.

 

Something that could never be said about my two (I hope) is that they don't respect grown ups, they always have and always will as far as I am concerned, unless a grown up is disrespectful to them, because some grown ups tar all teenagers with the same brush, which is wrong. We never get dictated to by our children, they do as they are told. I know others on here who have children that are really good kids, KJZ32 Keith's family are great, and would never disrespect an adult in any way shape or form. There are plenty of others as well, Gary Wilson, his lad was great at JAE, so yeah they may get a little extra at times, but only because they have deserved it.

Nice one Gary your a star!

 

Ok back to the thread, I can only feel your frustration on your night out be it a quick meal or a slap up do there is no respect these days and yes I know I am sounding like an old f*rt but why the hell do kids get better respect then adults baffles me.

 

I see every day the descending age of childhood, when I was 12 or 13yrs old I could not wait to be "grown up" leave school and be old enough to drive a car.... but no I had to wait, no short cuts.

 

Not now, I think its so sad these kids are part of the this "shrinking childhood syndrome" where they have learnt to demand access to all manner of things that was once the preserve of "grown ups" Prom nights is just one of these occassions, 14, 15, 16 year olds have end of term do`s that clearly are an Americanism and have stretched limo`s Hummers, hundreds of £ss spent on dresses and suits, it really is the thin end of the wedge with most 17 year old having new or nearly new cars I have grave worries for their future, after all what have they to aspire to? nothing... they have had it all before they are 20yrs old, it is no wonder they don`t respect grown ups because the grown ups have become the children been told what the score is by their own minors.... and now teachers..... no don`t get me started on teachers!!

Jeff

 

I agree there is very little or no respect left from some children these days, it's all these do gooders saying you can't chastise your kids, and parents making excuses for their childrens horrible behaviour and trying to blame others for it. As you quite rightly say Jeff, don't get me started on teachers!!!

 

However, I do sympathise with some of the kids these days. Ian Jr. just had a prom night, however his school know that their pupils that attend (only the good ones, if any of them have done anything untoward they will not be invited) will be on their best behaviour, so much so that they hire Haydock racecourse hotel as the venue for the senior prom, and have a proper sit down meal.

 

Yes, I also agree that it is very American, we are only ever a few years behind the States in whatever we do. But the good kids deserve something to remember at leaving school age. Ian Jr. had his prom the other night, no doubt you have seen the photo's, and yes we did shell out for a nice suit, and we hired him a Lamborghini, all in recognition of his exam results, believe me, if he had have had bad school results, he would not have got what he did.

 

The other point that I would like to bring up, is the price of car insurance for youngsters. People wonder why young kids are driving around in new cars, well the new car that they have purchased with the free insurance is probably cheaper to buy than trying to get insured with a second hand car.

I actually got an insurance quote for Jr. the other week, I stated that he was 17, no no claims discount as he has just passed his test (he hasn't, and isn't 17 until January) but I thought I would give it a go. Would anyone like to guess the first quote I got back for a Fiat Chinquito (that is probably not spelled right) but you know, the smallest Fiat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

£13,500!!! Where the hell do they get that from out of a £400.00 car? It is absolutely rediculous, so youngsters don't have much of an option these days. They either drive around with no insurance, or drive a new car, I know I would rather see Jr. in a new car and fully insured. I would never let him out on the road without insurance, so that is possibly the better option for us.

 

Something that could never be said about my two (I hope) is that they don't respect grown ups, they always have and always will as far as I am concerned, unless a grown up is disrespectful to them, because some grown ups tar all teenagers with the same brush, which is wrong. We never get dictated to by our children, they do as they are told. I know others on here who have children that are really good kids, KJZ32 Keith's family are great, and would never disrespect an adult in any way shape or form. There are plenty of others as well, Gary Wilson, his lad was great at JAE, so yeah they may get a little extra at times, but only because they have deserved it.

OOPS, sorry Roobarb, a very happy birthday wish for you.

OOPS, sorry Roobarb, a very happy birthday wish for you.

Wise words Ian - and you have done a superb job bringing up your children mate!! Ian and Yvonne are great kids; a real credit to you!! And I'm sure there are many other really good parents out there who have done a similar sterling job.....

 

.....but I cannot really say much else as I have no children of my own to compare. I fully agree with you about the relaxation of rules etc by bleeding heart do-gooders and the sad state one frequently sees in schools today is a direct result of these so called "progressive and modern" methods. Time for a revolution methinks - before it's too late!!!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

Wise words Ian - and you have done a superb job bringing up your children mate!! Ian and Yvonne are great kids; a real credit to you!! And I'm sure there are many other really good parents out there who have done a similar sterling job.....

 

.....but I cannot really say much else as I have no children of my own to compare. I fully agree with you about the relaxation of rules etc by bleeding heart do-gooders and the sad state one frequently sees in schools today is a direct result of these so called "progressive and modern" methods. Time for a revolution methinks - before it's too late!!!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

Wise words Ian - and you have done a superb job bringing up your children mate!! Ian and Yvonne are great kids; a real credit to you!! And I'm sure there are many other really good parents out there who have done a similar sterling job.....

 

.....but I cannot really say much else as I have no children of my own to compare. I fully agree with you about the relaxation of rules etc by bleeding heart do-gooders and the sad state one frequently sees in schools today is a direct result of these so called "progressive and modern" methods. Time for a revolution methinks - before it's too late!!!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

 

Cheers for your kind words Richard, and yes, I think a revolution is needed too.

Wise words Ian - and you have done a superb job bringing up your children mate!! Ian and Yvonne are great kids; a real credit to you!! And I'm sure there are many other really good parents out there who have done a similar sterling job.....

 

.....but I cannot really say much else as I have no children of my own to compare. I fully agree with you about the relaxation of rules etc by bleeding heart do-gooders and the sad state one frequently sees in schools today is a direct result of these so called "progressive and modern" methods. Time for a revolution methinks - before it's too late!!!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

 

Cheers for your kind words Richard, and yes, I think a revolution is needed too.

Wikipedia meaning of the word Semester

A 'semester' (from the Latin meaning "six-monthly") has come to mean either of two academic terms, generally excluding the summer or January terms, if any, and so is about 16 to 18 weeks long. The word 'semester' is sometimes used as a synonym for a 'term', as in a 'summer semester'.

 

It would appear that the word "semester" is not of American origin after all, it was highjacked, Americanised and then sent back .... but been a teacher you would know that ............... :clap: only messing matey.

 

Jeff TT

 

Arrrgh, where was I to defend myself on this one! Lol

 

Unless you can provide the original source, Wikipedia is not an acceptable source of information and therefore cannot be scored:

 

Jeff: 0/100.... Must try harder :p

 

Believe it or not I actually like Latin and have sadly enough googled the word previously as I used to call them terms but that was deemed 'confusing' ha ha.

 

I also like Spanish and French but do not teach languages for the day job....think its a bit of intrigue from the dancing scene really :)

 

Anyway,

 

I will allow you a 40% pass grade when my knight rider light is fitted :thumbup:

Took my son to his prom tonight in whitby Best car there will put some pics up later

It is officiall, the lunatics have taken over the asylum! whilst we were all discussing the merits of prom nights spending restraints this appeared in the Mail Online.

 

Two 16 year old girls from Gloucestershire get a helipcopter ride to their prom.........speachless?

 

Jeff TT

 

PS Ian your kids do not count, they could be ambassadors for other though!!

 

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2168793/Schoolgirls-copy-flashy-US-tradition-helicopter-prom-limousines-booked.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

 

 

 

lol, helicopter I think is a bit over the top (forgive the pun). Thanks Jeff, Ian has done so well up to now, he deserved a treat. But like I say, their school prom is a full sit down meal in a hotel, with disco after.