The Reason To Dress
Last week I got invited by a few girlfriends to go to an aperitivo. I’ve written before about aperitivos here, but basically it’s a pre-dinner drink that is usually accompanied by mini pizzas and other salty snacks that are given to you for free from the bar.
We went to a place that is pretty hispter in its decor, with movable wooden crate furniture and shelves filled with art books that you can read while you enjoy a cocktail. It’s called Buscapè and it’s located in the centre of Modena.
Image from the Buscape website http://buscapeweb.it
I didn’t want to leave my man and toddler at home so we all went out together, but just to make things fair we stopped first at the park to play for an hour.
What I Wore
I wore UB jeans, a leather moto jacket, “Chianini Bologna” blue suede bootie wedges, a “Gallo” checkered scarf and a COATIGAN!! Never heard of a Coatigan before? I did a whole post about it here.
We’re Not the Only Ones!
Think I’m the only one that brings my toddler out for an aperitivo at the bar? ….Nope! As we were enjoying our snacks and beers I noticed another couple seated in lounge chairs by the window.
What was that on the woman’s lap?….A toddler! A breastfeeding toddler! And the best part, no one made a big deal out of this at all. No one.
So when her little guy was done downing some milk I asked if he wanted to play with my son. And away they went, coloring, playing with cups and animals and coins and generally having a good time, while we enjoyed our drinks. I mean, I wouldn’t say we enjoyed them without being interrupted every 45 seconds, but that just comes with the territory.
I got their number, I’m all about making friends with other parents that leave the house. It’s a nice feeling to know that we’re not the only parents that bring our little man with us everywhere. In Modena, I never get the feeling that we are unwanted because we have a baby.
Maybe it’s because the economy is what it is. If you’re a business owner you don’t turn away customers with kids, even if it makes your restaurant or bar seem less inviting to couples with no kids. I guess they realized that it’s better to have us out and spending money instead of spending the next 15 years closed indoors until our kids learn to drive.
What about you, have you ever brought your toddler out to the bar/restaurant? How is the reaction from the people around? Do you feel welcome when you take the kids out?