How do you deal with a tantrum when you're out in public?

I will not raise my voice, because that will enocourage him to raise his louder. I will try and talk to him calmly at first. If he does not calm down, I will give a warning. If he still does not calm down, then I will take him and go to the car to talk to him there. If that is not a possibility, I find a secluded place, like a bathroom, to take him to and then sit down and calmly talk with him. Make eye contact and talk in a calm voice.

walk away and say see ya when you know how to act.
If it continues after that. Excuse yourself even if you have to ask the store to keep your cart and take the little darling to the car and tell them that you will try again when they calm down.
A slap on the rear-end never killed a kid yet.
More Moms should try it.

I've thrown myself on the floor next to them. The child instantly stopped and was trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I then calmly got up and said that's how he looked. Then again it wasn't my kid.

when my children were a bit older. about 9,7, & 5. i was school shopping with them. they were all acting up& we had a cart full of stuff. they were just not behaving and the trip was about them, to get school clothes. i said, calmly when they did not listen to my repeated directions and just would not cooperate, we r going home if u guys cant do as i ask. they continued so i took my bag out of the cart &walked toward the door. they just couldnt believe it. the oldest said, mom what r u doing? going home i said & so r u. they followed me all the way to the car, with promises to bhave. we did go hm & they never did that again. to this day, they r all adults now, they still say--remember the time we were not behaving and we left the store>>>)

I "close talk" right into his ear and make direct eye contact telling him that his behavior isn't okay and what I expect from him.
If he still can't clear it up I then move us all away from that location possibly even hom :o).

calmly try and talk with him/her about their behavior, then remove them from the situation

distraction and if they get too out of it, a nice swat on the hand..i give them something to cry about..

I will either redirect or just ignore it. They have to understand that behavior will not get them their way. Stay calm, and don't let let them see you get frustrated =)

i have on occation brought her to the bathroom and told her that she is being bad and this way i can deal with her screaming in a place that has less distractions and she can focus on me.
i also have put her nose against a wall at a restaurant because she wasnt sitting still in her seat and was bothering the people behind us - this was EMBARASING for her and she sat still the rest of the dinner.
and if we are at a store and she fusses anything that was a "gift" for her that we had already gathered gets put back and she doesnt get it unless she calms down.

if you can't get it under control then you need to remove the toddler from wherever you are at until they can settle down!