The no-kids-allowed movement is spreading
by Piper Weiss, Shine Staff, on Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:52pm PDT
What's the matter with kids today and why doesn't anyone want them around? In June, Malaysia Airlines banned babies from many of their first class cabins, prompting other major airlines to consider similar policies.
Lately, complaints about screaming kids are being taken seriously, not only by airlines, but by hotels, movie theaters, restaurants, and even grocery stores.
Read more about restaurants around the country banning kids.
Earlier this month, McDain's, a Pittsburgh area restaurant that banned kids under 6 became a mascot for the no-kids-zone movement.
According to a Pittsburgh local news poll, more than half of area residents were in favor of the ban. And now big business is paying attention.
"Brat bans could well be the next frontier in destination and leisure-product marketing," writes Robert Klara in an article on the child-free trend in AdWeek.
Klara points to Leavethembehind.com, a travel website for kid-free vacations, with a massive list of yoga retreats, luxury resorts and bargain hotels around the world that ban children.
"Call me a grinch, a misanthrope, a DINK (dual-income-no-kids), or the anti-cute-police, but I hate (hate a thousand times over) ill-behaved children/infants/screaming banshees in upscale restaurants (ok, anywhere, really, but I don’t want any death threats)," writes Charlotte Savino on Travel and Leisure's blog. She lists a slew of a popular destination restaurants with kid-free areas and policies for travelers looking for quiet vacation dining.
Traveling is one thing, but what about in kids' own hometowns? Should kids been banned from local movie theaters, like they were at a recent adults-only Harry Potter screening? In Texas, one cinema chain has even flipped the model, banning kids under six altogether, except on specified "baby days".
Even running errands with toddlers may be changing. This summer Whole Foods stores in Missouri are offering child-free shopping hours (kids are allowed inside but childcare service is available for parents who want to shop kid-free.) Meanwhile in Florida, a controversy brews over whether kids can be banned from a condominium's outdoor area. That's right, some people don't even want kids outdoors.
When did kids become the equivalent of second-hand smoke? Blame a wave of childless adults with money to spare. "Empty nesters continue to wield a huge swath of discretionary spending dollars, and population dips in first-world countries mean more childless couples than ever," writes AdWeek's Klara.
Catering to the child-free community may be good for business but is it good for parents? It could help narrow choices and make kid-friendly environments even kid-friendlier. And let's be honest, babies won't miss flying first class. They won't even remember it. But their moms and dads will.
Most parents with young children have self-imposed limits on spending and leisure. This new movement imposes limits set by the public. And the public isn't as child-friendly as it used to be. As businesses respond to their new breed of 'first-class' clientele, are parents in danger of becoming second-class citizens?
What do you think?
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Travel to India with Children Checklist
Travelling to India with Children can be an experience in itself.
We travel a lot and my wife and me had travelled with our children.
1. Indian roads can be quite an experience to a westerner. Drive with extra care.
2. Use only bottled water, which is bought from a good shop. Spurious is also being sold on the roadside. Good brands for water in bottles is Kinley, Aquafina, Bisleri. Others are not recommended. No need of water purifying tabs. No ice at all. If you are having anything cold anywhere, then ensure that there is no ice used in your drink.
4. Do not eat salad in any of the restaurants, its raw and washed in ordinary tap water, which is not at all safe for a westerner.
5. Carry 5 of re-hydration sachets, in case you have bad tummy. Which is very easy to have for a westerner.
6. Also, carry wonder pill called 'PudinHara', it works magic, in case of bad tummy or loosies. Its the best. I have tried it with my westerner friends and they love this wonder pill. carry your other medicines as well, you will not get your brands in India.
7. If you can carry a mosquito repellent then its really good. Otherwise, on your arrival you can buy Odomos mosquito repellent sold in India, best in India (I think).
8. Carry temple socks, you would not like to walk around bare footed on the sticky floors which have never been washed in some of the monuments.
9. Bring your own baby seat. No matter will say, if it is available in India, then someone should arrange in advance, I am sure you do not wish to invest your time in shop hunting for baby seats, these are NOT common in India. But its NOT mandatory in India. Its your own discretion.
10. Just do not eat 'chuttenies' (ask your husband about it, he will tell you) especially in southern India, raw salad; anything which is not cooked.
11. Do not dress up with short clothes, keep yourself decently covered. Now, its not that bad in India, earlier you just could not afford to wear any dress of the West. Now, one can see Indian girls wearing scanty clothes from the west.
12. Bring your own stuff like tampoons, sanitary napkins, baby diapers, etc.
13. No pre-cut fruit. Whatever you buy, wash it in running water very well and then give it a final wash with bottled water, otherwise, you are going to buy trouble very easily. Any water other than bottled one, is a big dangerous thing for western tummy.
14. Do not check your mail in cyber cafes (good ones may be used), avoid if possible, they can steal your passwords easily and then misuse it. Do not do any online transactions from cyber cafes.
15. carry brim hats. Wear cotton clothes of light colours. Carry plenty of sun lotion, which is of high power.
16. India has 220 volts of AC electricity. Carry chargers accordingly.
17. India has the cheapest cell phone network. Bring your own cell phone and you can buy a sim card in India, which is pre-paid card.
18. Carry hand sanitiser bottles (Purell etc.), give small ones to each child. Its a must.
19. You must bring a baby harness to carry your baby on your chest or back. It will make things very easy for you. Its worth bringing that and not baby seat.
20. Waist pouches to carry your passports and money. Pickpocketing is quite possible easily in India, while travelling or visiting monuments.
21. Easy shoes to walk around, while you are walking around on the floors of monuments.
22. carry a small umbrella for yourself, if you can not bear with the Sun, it will be quite harsh for a westerner.
23. Do not ever leave any valuables even in the best of the hotels, i.e. passport, credit cards, money, cameras, etc.
Most of the points have been covered by other contributors. If you still have anything in your mind, do not hesitate to write to me directly I have no selfish motive in attending you here, its shear spirit of a traveller, as I travel a lot in India and I know what is needed in India. So, do write and I will give you all the update about travel in India.
REMEMBER: You are coming to see India in its pristine state. It is not what New York or London look like. Here there is not much discipline on Indian roads, there is plenty of smell, people are very warm,
We travel a lot and my wife and me had travelled with our children.
1. Indian roads can be quite an experience to a westerner. Drive with extra care.
2. Use only bottled water, which is bought from a good shop. Spurious is also being sold on the roadside. Good brands for water in bottles is Kinley, Aquafina, Bisleri. Others are not recommended. No need of water purifying tabs. No ice at all. If you are having anything cold anywhere, then ensure that there is no ice used in your drink.
4. Do not eat salad in any of the restaurants, its raw and washed in ordinary tap water, which is not at all safe for a westerner.
5. Carry 5 of re-hydration sachets, in case you have bad tummy. Which is very easy to have for a westerner.
6. Also, carry wonder pill called 'PudinHara', it works magic, in case of bad tummy or loosies. Its the best. I have tried it with my westerner friends and they love this wonder pill. carry your other medicines as well, you will not get your brands in India.
7. If you can carry a mosquito repellent then its really good. Otherwise, on your arrival you can buy Odomos mosquito repellent sold in India, best in India (I think).
8. Carry temple socks, you would not like to walk around bare footed on the sticky floors which have never been washed in some of the monuments.
9. Bring your own baby seat. No matter will say, if it is available in India, then someone should arrange in advance, I am sure you do not wish to invest your time in shop hunting for baby seats, these are NOT common in India. But its NOT mandatory in India. Its your own discretion.
10. Just do not eat 'chuttenies' (ask your husband about it, he will tell you) especially in southern India, raw salad; anything which is not cooked.
11. Do not dress up with short clothes, keep yourself decently covered. Now, its not that bad in India, earlier you just could not afford to wear any dress of the West. Now, one can see Indian girls wearing scanty clothes from the west.
12. Bring your own stuff like tampoons, sanitary napkins, baby diapers, etc.
13. No pre-cut fruit. Whatever you buy, wash it in running water very well and then give it a final wash with bottled water, otherwise, you are going to buy trouble very easily. Any water other than bottled one, is a big dangerous thing for western tummy.
14. Do not check your mail in cyber cafes (good ones may be used), avoid if possible, they can steal your passwords easily and then misuse it. Do not do any online transactions from cyber cafes.
15. carry brim hats. Wear cotton clothes of light colours. Carry plenty of sun lotion, which is of high power.
16. India has 220 volts of AC electricity. Carry chargers accordingly.
17. India has the cheapest cell phone network. Bring your own cell phone and you can buy a sim card in India, which is pre-paid card.
18. Carry hand sanitiser bottles (Purell etc.), give small ones to each child. Its a must.
19. You must bring a baby harness to carry your baby on your chest or back. It will make things very easy for you. Its worth bringing that and not baby seat.
20. Waist pouches to carry your passports and money. Pickpocketing is quite possible easily in India, while travelling or visiting monuments.
21. Easy shoes to walk around, while you are walking around on the floors of monuments.
22. carry a small umbrella for yourself, if you can not bear with the Sun, it will be quite harsh for a westerner.
23. Do not ever leave any valuables even in the best of the hotels, i.e. passport, credit cards, money, cameras, etc.
Most of the points have been covered by other contributors. If you still have anything in your mind, do not hesitate to write to me directly I have no selfish motive in attending you here, its shear spirit of a traveller, as I travel a lot in India and I know what is needed in India. So, do write and I will give you all the update about travel in India.
REMEMBER: You are coming to see India in its pristine state. It is not what New York or London look like. Here there is not much discipline on Indian roads, there is plenty of smell, people are very warm,
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Special Ayurveda Packages
AYURVEDA REJUVENATION PACKAGE
Here comes an Exclusive Ayurveda package with treatment, accommodation with Vegetarian Ayurveda Meals. Our package is unique and comes with a difference…..including Day Cruise in AC Houseboat with Lunch, Tea and Snacks also staying close to beach with Backwaters & Ayurveda. What more than a very well Specially crafted product for the valued Guest. Hope you will find this interesting to market and promote.
Offer Guests to explore 7 Days Journey to Ayurveda:
Rejuvenation Massage (06 times)
It includes whole body massage with herbal oil by hand.It will rejuvenate the body, improving vitality, blood circulation and reduces mental tension.
Kizhi (Leaf bundle massage) (04 times)
In this programme herbal leaves are applied to the whole body in boluses with hot medicated oils. It will increase blood circulation and reduce body pain.
Sirodhara (04 times)
In this programme medicated oil or herbal decotion and milk is poured continuously on the forehead of the person lying supine position. It is very effective for reducing mental tension and for getting good sleep.
Pizhichil (03 times)
In this Luke warm medicated oils are applied all over the body by two trained technicians in a special rhythmatic way continuously. It will tone the body, increase blood circulation, nourish muscles and nervous tissues and expel metabolic waste through skin.
Karnapooranam (03 times)
It is a programme for cleaning the ears.
Anjanam (02 times)
It is an eye cleaning programme by using herbal medicines.
Special offer for the above
USD 699 Per Person on twin sharing and including
7 Days Stay
All Vegetarian Ayurveda Meals
All Ayurveda Treatement
Herbal water in the room
Free consultation
Yoga
Day cruise by AC Houseboat on backwaters with Lunch, tea and snacks
Return airport transfers
Assuring you of our best services and prompt attention at all the times.
Best regards
MercuryTrip
travel@mercurytrip.com
http://www.mercurytrip.com
Here comes an Exclusive Ayurveda package with treatment, accommodation with Vegetarian Ayurveda Meals. Our package is unique and comes with a difference…..including Day Cruise in AC Houseboat with Lunch, Tea and Snacks also staying close to beach with Backwaters & Ayurveda. What more than a very well Specially crafted product for the valued Guest. Hope you will find this interesting to market and promote.
Offer Guests to explore 7 Days Journey to Ayurveda:
Rejuvenation Massage (06 times)
It includes whole body massage with herbal oil by hand.It will rejuvenate the body, improving vitality, blood circulation and reduces mental tension.
Kizhi (Leaf bundle massage) (04 times)
In this programme herbal leaves are applied to the whole body in boluses with hot medicated oils. It will increase blood circulation and reduce body pain.
Sirodhara (04 times)
In this programme medicated oil or herbal decotion and milk is poured continuously on the forehead of the person lying supine position. It is very effective for reducing mental tension and for getting good sleep.
Pizhichil (03 times)
In this Luke warm medicated oils are applied all over the body by two trained technicians in a special rhythmatic way continuously. It will tone the body, increase blood circulation, nourish muscles and nervous tissues and expel metabolic waste through skin.
Karnapooranam (03 times)
It is a programme for cleaning the ears.
Anjanam (02 times)
It is an eye cleaning programme by using herbal medicines.
Special offer for the above
USD 699 Per Person on twin sharing and including
7 Days Stay
All Vegetarian Ayurveda Meals
All Ayurveda Treatement
Herbal water in the room
Free consultation
Yoga
Day cruise by AC Houseboat on backwaters with Lunch, tea and snacks
Return airport transfers
Assuring you of our best services and prompt attention at all the times.
Best regards
MercuryTrip
travel@mercurytrip.com
http://www.mercurytrip.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)