The one poster who said they ask to be seated elsewhere nailed it. I used to sit there and fume or glare at the other table and let it ruin my night when things like this happened.
I finally got fed up (no pun intended!) and decided to stop expecting staff to look out for us or care about our experience. They rarely do. I would take control of the problem upfront. It made a big difference.
Now, if a hostess leads me to a table next to really loud or out of control people (
kids or adults!), I thank her/him, but decline it. I'm always very polite and say with a friendly smile that we don't mind waiting for the next opening, but we'll need a different table.
I've had a few try to talk me out of it by saying there will be a wait, but I never had anyone outright refuse. Some get annoyed when I stick to my guns - like I was the problem customer
. LOL.
If the group arrives after us, it's harder, as I feel bad for our server who has started taking care of us. So I'll ask if they have any other open tables in a different section. If not and the situation isn't too bad, I'll try to bear it. But if it is, I have no problem asking to be moved.
DH and I are easygoing,and rarely complain. We always treat staff respectfully and tip 20-25%.
We should be the valued customers the restaurant caters to and rewards. Yet too often, they reward the disruptive folks ruining the meal for other guests. (Usually the same ones who leave the server a lousy tip and a messy table, as well.)
It feels great to take control.
Let them scream their heads off or jump off chairs & tables. I'll either be in another room or on my way to a different restaurant.