A couple who had recently went on a tour of Europe (England, France, Germany, Spain & Greece) told me that they found Europe as a whole to be very child/toddler unfriendly. For example, most restrooms in public places like restaurants will not have diaper changing tables, often there is no ramp up the stairs for strollers and its not unusual for eateries to not have high chairs, boosters etc.
Is it really true? In US such business run a risk of getting sued. Here even restrooms in book stores have changing tables. Check your nearest Barnesn’Nobles.
Your friend is partially right. In restaurants it may be more like language issue because baby changing rooms/table are there, even in motorway services. The only problem is when u have pram & u dont find a lift in all underground stations or places where u expect it. In that case u have to carry it, but u may find it good that someone would always be ready to help. Paris is worst place for walking with baby pram (no lift in any metro or train station in or around paris apart from main stations).
Adamjee: It is so true about Paris. We had similar difficulty in Paris. Even the airport layout is confuing with poor signs. I hated the fact that they smoke everywhere!!!
I noticed this when we lived in London. So many places it seemed that kids were just not welcomed. And forget about using a bulky stroller on the Tube unless you have strong arms. You'll end up lugging it up and down stairs at the older stations, or balancing it on the escalators at the newer ones. Even finding public toliets other than port-a-pots that are clean can be a challenge when you are out and about. I used to look for the McDonalds in case of emergency. I think I know the locale of every McDonalds in central london. Marks and Spencers has nice restrooms too :)
I noticed this when we lived in London. So many places it seemed that kids were just not welcomed. And forget about using a bulky stroller on the Tube unless you have strong arms. You'll end up lugging it up and down stairs at the older stations, or balancing it on the escalators at the newer ones. Even finding public toliets other than port-a-pots that are clean can be a challenge when you are out and about. I used to look for the McDonalds in case of emergency. I think I know the locale of every McDonalds in central london. Marks and Spencers has nice restrooms too :)
Oh, and the shops aren't really handicapped accessible, and the small local shops aisles aren't often wide enough to accomodate a stroller, so oftentimes I would have to leave it outside.
I highly recommend the combi savvy with the carry strap if you're going.
LADY! did ya live in the UK in the 70s???
LOL…its much much better now…always has been if u ask me…
Didnt like USA…and never will…the people maybe “friendly”…but they’re fake as hell!..least with the brits- u get wat u see…
I dont think so in Germany it is so... People are much friendly... yes in some townareas there arent much Public facilities... but still people do help :)
lol
...u dont "have " to do anything.....
there is no law re:driving for 3 plus hours.....
altho its in a person's own advantage to do so if feeling tired!
thats a good one.
This is a conspiracy