If adults played with trucks - even rubber ducks - in a
restaurant, it would make sense to expect a child to do so. But given
the social restraints of restaurants - unless you're in a McDonald's,
behavior in a restaurant is centered around specific adult approved
behaviors, and adult-like behaviors.
It is indeed highly coercive to restrict a three year old child
to playing behind a chair in a restaurant. I shouldn't wonder that the
child whined at such restrictions.
Next time the adults want to meet and have small children about
they might consider a picnic in a park. That would certainly be more
condusive to truck playing and adult conversation within the same space.
Phillip
Phillip White pwhite who-is-at carbon.cudenver.edu