And finally…the bambinos are alright

Antonio Ferrari hit upon the creative inducement after feeling compelled to reward a family of 11 whose five children conducted themselves “with much composure” during a Sunday sitting at his wine bar in the northern city of Padua.

He has since bestowed the same 5 per cent sconto (discount) upon two other families with well-mannered children at his long Sunday family lunches which are a traditional Italian culinary and social event which can stretch to three hours.

Although the event is not as widely observed as it once was, it still typically involves an antipasto – bruschetta or platters of prosciutto, and then a pasta dish, followed by a meat dish and then vegetables.

Ferrari told The Guardian he estimated about 30 per cent of parents did not know how to handle their children at the lunchtime feasts, and that too often children run around the restaurant and bother other customers, forcing his waiting staff to swerve to avoid them.

However, Ferrari – who does not have children – stressed that it was not his intention to be too judgmental, telling Corriere della Sera: “I imagine how difficult parenting is today.”

Nevertheless, he thought something had to be done to rein-in children splashing water in the restaurant’s bathrooms and bothering other customers by running around tables.

He recalled some parents telling him his restaurant was essentially public, and that they could do what they want. But he added: “I’m responsible for what happens in it.”

The party who earned the coveted discount were delighted by the news and left a €30 (£25) tip, Ferrari added.