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I would have told that guy to let me parent my own kids, thanks. If he started trying to tell me my kids were out of line I would calmly tell him they were not and to please go back to his table now.

I think I would have expected my kids to be respectful of the guy (even though he is out of line) but I would have made sure they saw me handle it with him so that they understand 1) how to deal with busybody jerks like that and 2) that they were in no way doing anything wrong.

Hmmm as an onlooker I'd feel bad for the kids.. mean people just stink.

If it was a scenario with G & I saw it happen..
1. I would intercede & let the man know he could back off a bit... probably a "Oh I'm sorry I told him/them they could play quietly, didn't realize that would bother you.. we'll try & keep it down *smile smile smile* (we'd probably leave shortly after or sit elsewhere)"

2. Thank the kids for being respectful despite the guy being out of line & let them know they were following my instruction & he was just being grumpy.... maybe he was having a bad day. G definitely doesn't need to *obey* a stranger when I've okayed something (and he knows this) but he still has to act respectfully regardless of anothers actions.

Hope that guy got ungrumpy after some coffee! lol

I wouldn't apologize if my kids were playing quietly. I'd actually be really annoyed if I saw someone approach my kids and speak to them like that.

@jmarionsmith: Same! I'd have trouble holding it together.

@Arden: yeah I'm not sure how I'd handle it either to be honest. If it ever happens I'll let you know! Haha.
My kids are pretty wild so it might happen one of these days..

I would have asked "Is there a problem?" just to see what the reason reason for him yelling at my kids, depending on his answer I would have him address me if there are any issues instead of speaking to my children that way.

If I saw this happen I would go to the mother and tell her the issue so she can handle it the way she saw fit.

@runsyellowlites: that's different though. your husband might have accidentally said something that hurt your feelings and it is appropriate for him to apologize. that old grump didn't accidentally yell at kids that weren't doing anything wrong. he knew exactly what he was doing.

i can think of a million things that might bother someone else that i would absolutely never apologize for. and honestly, if someone wants respect they need to show it as well. his behavior was in no way respectful of the kids, their parents, or anyone in the establishment that witnessed his actions.

@Arden: <<but I also expect others to treat my kids with respect.>>

I think that may be the difference. I don't really expect anything of others (strangers).. if anything I expect them to act like a fool & just love them in spite of their ignorance & ugliness. lol

I would be fuming if I witness it all. If I came and saw the end of it, when the old man came up to their table, I'd ask him what seems to be the trouble. Then I'd ask my kids to apologize. After they do it, I'd tell them to wait one minute and ask the elderly gentleman to step outside for a minute. Once outside, I'd make it perfectly clear that it's 2013 and children have rights - it is NOT all right to talk that way to someone elses children, especially if all they did was sit there IN A PUBLIC place and talk, regardless if it was a little too loud for him. As an adult, he's welcome to get his ass up and sit at another table or leave. He's not the only paying customer.

I have no problem giving a piece of my mind to complete strangers. I turn chickenshit once I know the person

I would do what @JerricaBenton said.

Having said that, I am surprised how many people think it's not OK to ever correct someone else's kids. I totally disagree with that. I understand this was not the situation, but for example if I see kids playing ball in Wal-Mart (this happened) with no parents around, I absolutely tell them to cut it out. Absolutely. In this situation if they kids HAD been rowdy and out of control, I would probably tell them to please keep it down.