A grumpy old man rant: Parenting tips

Hey parents of young children, want your kids to be not so loud in public places? Here's an idea. Speak quietly to your child. It's called modelling.
My wife and I (okay, we only have one child, but we have a combined 70+ years of primary teaching experience) have observed this is phenomena in restaurants, train carriages, waiting rooms, shopping centres, etc. Parents speaking at the top of their voices to their sprogs for no good reason.
My theory is you are announcing to those around you what a caring, inclusive and totally cool parent you are.
Why not talk in conversational tones? They wonder why their kids shout, scream and squeal continuously.

Well that's my grumpy old fart rant. Comments?

Young kids in restaurants. Parents, lift your game.

This is happening way too many times now. Noisy, indulged children in restaurants.
Don't get me wrong, I don't subscribe to the "Children should be seen and not heard"-school. Although after 3 courses, I was sorely tested.
Here's some observations from last night's dinner at a semi-posh restaurant:

• I suppose we should have know there was trouble in store when both parents at two different tables asked their child (aged 3 - 5) where he/she wanted to sit. WTF. When we brought our young daughter to a similar restaurant, we chose the most out of the way table, end of discussion.
• Why don't parents come armed with things for their kids to do (colouring books, i-pod, Nintendo DS, or even...the perennial smartphone)? Hence their sprogs resort to percussion routines with the cultery.
• Letting their kids run around the place like it's a McDonalds playground. 
• Indulgence. One mum walked up to the waiter's station and let her child proclaim, "I want grapes". Mum then asked whether the kitchen had a bowl of grapes. Here's an idea - come prepared, mum.
• Every parent thinks their child is adorable and cute. News Flash: they're not.
• Voice levels. You want your kid to speak quietly? Then do some modelling. Speak sotto voce to your child. Kids aren't stupid (or deaf). Unfortunately some parents love to speak in raised tones to their kids (meaning hello everybody, aren't I a cool/caring/wonderful parent, listen to me).

End of rant.

Comments welcome.