Remember that scene in Sweet Home Alabama when Reese Witherspoon's character, Mel says, "You've got a baby----in a bar"?
Last night we went to Billy Bob's with my friend Stacy, her husband Dale, and two of her friends to hear Restless Heart. I knew about four songs the band played. Dave and I knew we were in for a great show when the band opened with a ZZ Top cover. The great thing about going to Billy Bob's is people-watching. Dave and I had to exercise caution, lest Stacy and her friends think we were mean.
However, there is one sight we were all equally appalled by--the presence of strollers in a bar. Dave and I typically always see kids in Billy Bob's. We are still uncomfortable with the crazy Texas law that allows children in bars when accompanied by their parents. Usually the kids we see are at least 8 years old. When we went to see the Randy Rogers Band in March, I was shocked by the mother-daughter matching denim skirts. What mom says, "Hey sweetie, put on your shortest skirt, and I'll show you how to be a bar fly"?
Last night, however, the babies were out. The youngest babe in arms was perhaps 12 to 18 months old; he was being twirled around the dance floor by his older sister who might have been 5. A sweet tow-headed blonde boy of 2-3 was asleep in his stroller; his older sisters who might have been 4 to 6 rounded out the family night out at Billy Bob's. Oh, did I mention, we got there about 9:20? Why would a parent take his/her child(ren) to a bar? It's loud; it's smokey. People are drinking; others have had too much to drink. If you can't afford a baby sitter, then perhaps you should stay home.
I've been searching the web for the statute that allows minors in bars, but haven't found it yet. I'm sure this goes under the "fiercely independent" spirit of Texas, but perhaps conformity in this regard might be better.
Another of the many things, we would like to make a plea for is common sense when choosing attire--especially for an evening out on the town. I know the ladies want to look good for the gentlemen, but I wonder if many of them own full length mirrors and stand in front of them as they get dressed. One of my favorite outfits was donned by a lady selling roses to the men for their women; this portly dame was wearing a tank top and skirt set replicating the Texas flag. We saw short skirts on ladies with large thighs, tank tops with built in bras on ladies that needed a lot more support, v-necks cut the to navel on ladies with droopy boobs. Really? Please look in the mirror before you leave home. I'm sure there were some attractive ladies there, but with this menagerie, I don't have to worry about Dave seeing anyone more attractive than me. Actually, I do get a huge self-esteem boost when surrounded by those who don't look in the mirror before going out.
But for Pete's sake, leave your kids at home!
I call it child abuse!!!
ReplyDeleteIncredible. Kids don't go to bars in Georgia, but every time I go to see a R-rated horror movie at the theater, I see at least one idiot who brings one or more small kids. When I saw "1408" a few weeks ago, a chick with two kids in tow sat on our row.
ReplyDeleteThe worst was when a guy brought his little girl to see "Hannibal." This was a very gory movie. They were sitting in the row behind me and I could hear the little girl saying, "I'm scared. Is this real?" The dad shrugged this off and told her to "hide her eyes if you don't want to see it."
I think people do stupid stuff like this because they can't get a babysitter and are too selfish to forgo their adult interests in favor of what's best for their kids.
I could go on an on about idiot parents, like the ones who take their small kids shopping at Walmart at 1 a.m. and then yell at them for being tired and cranky, but you get the picture . . .