However, the membership at large needs to be given an attitude adjustment with respect to how they interact with children and families. These table holders, who to the eyes of the outside world represent the TCA, must learn to be polite, attentive and friendly. Don't yell at families about strollers, give kids the evil eye, or act with rudeness or contempt.
I love children. My wife has 5 grandchildren and I enjoy every minute I spend with them. I even volunteer to babysit. I don't think that I need an "attitude adjustment" when it comes to children. I have once or twice run into someone rude at various trains shows (not always the TCA shows) but I just take it as what it is. Some jerk. There are jerks everywhere in life so why not one or two at a train show. Like C.W. Burfle said I have not seen this attitude in a widespread manner across any train show be it TCA or Greenburg. I find your point of view to be something that can't really be debated because the TCA cannot change people. Nor can the government legislate morality. People don't change unless they want to. Even if the TCA wanted to issue some statement or rule change to the table holders do you really think they will obey it? And just how will the TCA enforce some sort of behavior code? They have plenty to do just running the meet. Don't let the "curmudgeonly" people bother you. Either turn your back on them or tell them off but don't let them spoil your fun.
Don't ignore children. Promote the hobby instead of behaving as if your bridge tournament at the seniors' home was interrupted. The "kids areas" always seem nice at face value, but what purpose do these truly serve? Do these areas truly foster interaction with older members from whom the young can learn the hobby? Or, do they merely segregate children to the periphery, keeping those little hands away from the curmudgeonly member tables?
Most kids once they spend some time with me will like me but when a child first meets a stranger they will be hesitant to interact with a such a person. Why would the children need to interact with older members they never met before? The "Kids areas" serve a great purpose. Kids often get bored after a while at looking at trains. They also have a lot of energy and in the "Kids area" they can play and burn off some of that energy doing something that is fun FOR THEM. It has nothing to do with segregation. The children are not forced to stay in the play area. I have often walked by the Kids area and I saw the children playing and enjoying themselves. I think it is a really nice of the TCA to have that area for the kids. Maybe they could enlarge it a little or have more activities for the children but nothing wrong with it as it is. The TCA did have a "Night at the Museum" some years ago where a parent and a child spent the night at the Toy Train Museum. Perhaps more events like this is what you are talking about. I don't know why they stopped having it or if it was any good or not.
