Changing Tables: Starbucks

Fashiongal1973

Why is it that someplace like Starbucks would not have changing tables in the restrooms? 

I emailed them and was told in a form letter to give my feedback on their web site and vote to have my idea put into action! So then I called and the rep that I talked to sounded like she was in high school and told me she would log my comment. 

Very frustrating!  

So I guess from now on I will just change my son in one of their big easy chairs and hope he doesn't pee on it.  

Andrewsgal

Honestly I have to say I have never understood the outrage at a place that is not geared toward families not having changing tables, McDonalds, Chuck-e-cheese, play area bathroom at the mall sure I expect them there, but at a place like Starbucks that is more for a quick coffee or a drink with a QUIET drink with a friend, I am fine with them not having them. The world does not need to cater to my kid.

DaisyFull

Andrewsgal:

Honestly I have to say I have never understood the outrage at a place that is not geared toward families not having changing tables, McDonalds, Chuck-e-cheese, play area bathroom at the mall sure I expect them there, but at a place like Starbucks that is more for a quick coffee or a drink with a QUIET drink with a friend, I am fine with them not having them. The world does not need to cater to my kid.

I tend to agree with this. I don't think of Starbucks as a truly kid-friendly place to begin with. I think most of who frequent coffee houses view them as an escape from children.

When I take DD because I NEED my caffeine fix, I hit the drive-through as to not ruin the sanctity of my special place. LOL.?

MrsBalletStar05

I don't ever expect any place to have a changing table.  In fact, I have very rarely used them.  I bring a thick blanket and use the floor most times.  And I agree, I don't think of Starbucks as a kid-friendly place.  If I expected a changing table, I certainly wouldn't expect one there.

Rebekah1021

Andrewsgal:

Honestly I have to say I have never understood the outrage at a place that is not geared toward families not having changing tables, McDonalds, Chuck-e-cheese, play area bathroom at the mall sure I expect them there, but at a place like Starbucks that is more for a quick coffee or a drink with a QUIET drink with a friend, I am fine with them not having them. The world does not need to cater to my kid.

Word. 

MainelyFoolish

I wouldn't necessarily expect Starbucks to have changing tables but I understand the frustration when you think you'll be able to find one and you can't.

I've been inconvenienced a couple of times at Chipotle because the one I go to dosn't have any changing tables.  (Not sure if that's true of all Chipotle restaurants.)  Since the restaurant provides high chairs and has a kids' menu, I don't think they can really say that they don't expect people to bring children there. 

HarrietNJMommy

Andrewsgal:

Honestly I have to say I have never understood the outrage at a place that is not geared toward families not having changing tables, McDonalds, Chuck-e-cheese, play area bathroom at the mall sure I expect them there, but at a place like Starbucks that is more for a quick coffee or a drink with a QUIET drink with a friend, I am fine with them not having them. The world does not need to cater to my kid.

Ditto. 

JOEBunny

Starbucks is one of the few places that allows anyone to use their restrooms anytime.  I think that is great.  It has saved me more than once when rambling around a strange city about to wet my pants. 

I almost never use the changing table anyway.  Mostly, I use my lap.  I sometimes, if it is super gross, go outside and find a place on the ground or use my stroller.  Changing tables tend to be pretty gross most places.  I use a sling to carry DS and also use that as a changing pad.  I wash them frequently, but I would rather take my chances with a corner of the sidewalk or a place in the grass than a changing table.  

prism207

I'm amazed that some of you think Starbucks isn't a kid friendly place.  The ones around here all have high chairs, they sell horizon packs of flavored milk, have a special kids drink menu and sell kiddie snack packs and annies bunnies, not to mention "drinkable applesauce" packs.

We ended our weekly playdates at Starbucks for lunch all last winter(only 3 kids).  Only once did anyone say a word to us-and that grumpy old man was shot down by a quartet of other customers, ones we didn't know, who told him he was out of line and the kids weren't doing anything wrong.

I've never been in one without a changing table, either.  I expect them to have one and would have been annoyed if there wasn't.  When Sam was an infant I could change him on the seat of my car, but I drive a sedan and don't have room on the floor nor are the seats big enough to change a toddler's poopy diaper.

beknmike

Do I get annoyed when places I frequent don't have changing tables? Only if there really isn't an alternative space available.

I was in The Cheesecake Factory the other day (has highchairs & a kid's menu) but there was no changing table in the bathroom. There really wasn't a place to crouch on the floor that wasn't directly in front of the door so I had to balance DD on the strip of counter in front of the sink. We both wound up soaked & I left the bathroom looking like I'd just been ravaged by a wild animal. When she was smaller, I had no problem changing her on the bench in our booth, but the bigger she gets, the harder it is to do this while being discreet & I don't exactly want to flash my kid's hiney around in public.

Starbucks doesn't bother me 'cuz I can throw my changing mat on the floor & there's plenty of room to change her.

HarrietNJMommy

prism207:

I'm amazed that some of you think Starbucks isn't a kid friendly place.  The ones around here all have high chairs, they sell horizon packs of flavored milk, have a special kids drink menu and sell kiddie snack packs and annies bunnies, not to mention "drinkable applesauce" packs.

We ended our weekly playdates at Starbucks for lunch all last winter(only 3 kids).  Only once did anyone say a word to us-and that grumpy old man was shot down by a quartet of other customers, ones we didn't know, who told him he was out of line and the kids weren't doing anything wrong.

I've never been in one without a changing table, either.  I expect them to have one and would have been annoyed if there wasn't.  When Sam was an infant I could change him on the seat of my car, but I drive a sedan and don't have room on the floor nor are the seats big enough to change a toddler's poopy diaper.

I don't think anyone is saying that kids don't go to Starbucks, but that it's a COFFEE place. Their focus isn't kids, but they are smart enough to know that if they have "kid" friendly stuff that more parents will visit. I take my kids there weekly, but have never changed a diaper there, and am never in there more than an hour max, so it doesn't matter for me.

There is no law for smaller establishments to have changing tables. For larger new construction, it IS required, but not for something like a Starbucks......... 

babypuplove

I'm not sure about Starbucks as I don't drink coffee so I rarely visit one, but I was surprised to find that our brand new Chipotle down the street didn't have one.  

No, I don't expect to be catered to because I have children, but it would make sense to me that a family-friendly restaurant would at least attempt to make things a little easier for families with young children.  After all, we are paying customers.  

If a bathroom doesn't have a changing table, I change the diaper in the car.  I would never put my child on the floor of a public restroom, changing mat or not.  To me, that is much more disgusting (not to mention difficult to maneuver) than putting a changing mat on top of a changing table.  

DaisyFull

prism207:

I'm amazed that some of you think Starbucks isn't a kid friendly place.? The ones around here all have high chairs, they sell horizon packs of flavored milk, have a special kids drink menu and sell kiddie snack packs and annies bunnies, not to mention "drinkable applesauce" packs.

We ended our weekly playdates at Starbucks for lunch all last winter(only 3 kids).? Only once did anyone say a word to us-and that grumpy old man was shot down by a quartet of other customers, ones we didn't know, who told him he was out of line and the kids weren't doing anything wrong.

I've never been in one without?a changing table, either.? I expect them to have one and would have been annoyed if there wasn't.? When Sam was an infant I could change him on the seat of my car, but I drive a sedan and don't have room on the floor nor are the seats big enough to change a toddler's poopy diaper.

Maybe it's a regional thing. Because really, I can't say I've ever seen kids in any of my local Starbucks. Mostly students and fried-out business people. I wouldn't MIND kids, I just don't see it.

Either way, I suppose it's all about one's own expectations. I expect McDonalds to have a changing table, I do not expect Starbucks to have one.?

?

Andrewsgal

prism207:

I'm amazed that some of you think Starbucks isn't a kid friendly place.  The ones around here all have high chairs, they sell horizon packs of flavored milk, have a special kids drink menu and sell kiddie snack packs and annies bunnies, not to mention "drinkable applesauce" packs.

We ended our weekly playdates at Starbucks for lunch all last winter(only 3 kids).  Only once did anyone say a word to us-and that grumpy old man was shot down by a quartet of other customers, ones we didn't know, who told him he was out of line and the kids weren't doing anything wrong.

I've never been in one without a changing table, either.  I expect them to have one and would have been annoyed if there wasn't.  When Sam was an infant I could change him on the seat of my car, but I drive a sedan and don't have room on the floor nor are the seats big enough to change a toddler's poopy diaper.

Sorry but to me just because a place has kiddie milk and a highchair it does not mean it is a place for kids, and they in no way have a responsibility to have one.

Starbucks main drink is coffee (and now wine in some places) does that sound kid friendly to you?

Rebekah1021

The Starbucks around here are right by the college campus. There  no changing table. I have to be honest, when I go to Starbucks, I go for alone time. If it keeps people with kids out then so be it.

prism207

I never said they have a responsibility to have one, just that it seems strange to me that one wouldn't.  Not a problem I have, they all have them in the DC area, apparently.

One of the local chain coffee shops had weekly kids entertainment on Wednesday mornings for a long time (they went out of business due to redevelopment at that site, and I am not sure if they reopened with space for entertainment.  In VA, Jammin Java has stuff for kids every week too, in addition to its night time adult entertainment.

Pretty sure I've seen Starbucks have a storytime at the store in College Park-about a mile from UMD campus. 

So kids and coffee shops do go together here, I guess, even in college towns.

 

MrsGeek

JOEBunny:

I would rather take my chances with a corner of the sidewalk or a place in the grass than a changing table.  

You don't feel uncomfortable displaying their private parts to the public like that?  Even if they're babies/toddlers, they deserve privacy and respect like anyone else.  I'm not saying Starbucks needs changing tables, but I would use my car then.

kimilane

MrsGeek:

JOEBunny:

I would rather take my chances with a corner of the sidewalk or a place in the grass than a changing table.  

You don't feel uncomfortable displaying their private parts to the public like that?  Even if they're babies/toddlers, they deserve privacy and respect like anyone else.  I'm not saying Starbucks needs changing tables, but I would use my car then.

I change Francesca in our trunk a lot because it's easier than finding a relatively clean changing table. I agree that the sidewalk or in the grass is a bit "too public" for a diaper change, but in my trunk, someone would have to be looking to really see what's going on.

babypuplove

prism207:

I never said they have a responsibility to have one, just that it seems strange to me that one wouldn't.  Not a problem I have, they all have them in the DC area, apparently.

One of the local chain coffee shops had weekly kids entertainment on Wednesday mornings for a long time (they went out of business due to redevelopment at that site, and I am not sure if they reopened with space for entertainment.  In VA, Jammin Java has stuff for kids every week too, in addition to its night time adult entertainment.

Pretty sure I've seen Starbucks have a storytime at the store in College Park-about a mile from UMD campus. 

So kids and coffee shops do go together here, I guess, even in college towns.

 

Ditto.  We are in the DC area, and a few local coffee shops have children's entertainment almost daily.  A wine bar is one thing, but to me, a coffeehouse is a kid friendly hangout. 

Fashiongal1973

Well I may be in the minority on here but on the Starbucks vote board I am not alone. As usual I bring up a controversial topic...

I have been to many restaurants that may not be "kid friendly" having a play place and fried food in paper wrappers that have changing stations. I consider anyplace that wants parents to frequent their establishments to provide a place to change the baby or at least not look at you like you are disgusting when you change them on the bench or a chair next to you. Though sometimes I really don't want to see a poopy diaper when I am eating either.

DH and I live in a town far away from our families so if we want to go anywhere DS goes with us. I wouldn't take him to the trendy hot spot or fine dining but a casual restaurant or chain is fair game.

We were at a Frozen Yogurt place, no changing table and the car was 8 blocks away because we were walking around a commercial district. Tons of kids there. 

Our mom's club has also gone to Starbucks and I see families meet up there all of the time with small children.

I guess it is all about your lifestyle. 

ttimmerman

MrsGeek:

JOEBunny:

I would rather take my chances with a corner of the sidewalk or a place in the grass than a changing table.  

You don't feel uncomfortable displaying their private parts to the public like that?  Even if they're babies/toddlers, they deserve privacy and respect like anyone else.  I'm not saying Starbucks needs changing tables, but I would use my car then.

I have to agree with MrsGeek, that seems very odd to put your baby on the sidewalk or spot of grass to change them. Especially the sidewalk. I can't imagine the weird looks I would get.