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Original poster

Cheeky to order room service or not?

230 replies

Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 19:54

I’m babysitting in a 5 star hotel (live abroad, I’m a teacher and babysitting on the side pays well)
Lovely family, just put baby down, the mum texted and said to make yourself comfortable etc and help myself to anything, but that as they’d just arrived, don’t have anything really and to feel free to order something to be sent up (assuming that would go on their bill?)
Been here since 6, will be here for 6 hours, should have brought some snacks really but was sorting out my own Dd before I left and no time to nip to the shop on the way,

I’m hungry, but that’s cheeky right?

Would you order or no?

OP posts:
PinkTonic · 21/06/2024 21:57

I think it’s clearly fine to order in these circumstances, but what’s a bit weird is not being able to pay yourself if you have concerns, because you obviously have a smartphone even if you didn’t bring a card (also a bit odd as you have your wallet with you)

PlacidPenelope · 21/06/2024 21:57

Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:52

I definitely wouldn’t mention it to the parents and make it all awkward

And if they say Hope you had something nice from room service? what are you going to say? All this daft prevaricating is what is awkward.

Original poster
Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:56

I never expect food and sometimes bring crisps with my water, all always say help yourselves, sometines I do, sometimes I don’t. Never left a takeaway menu or said to order room service
My babysitter for my Dd rarely comes for longer than 4 hours, but I always leave snacks out for both my Dd and her to have together if they like and drinks

OP posts:
PlacidPenelope · 21/06/2024 21:54

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/06/2024 21:46

Because we are all different and not everyone thinks the same way as you.

"Getting it wrong" is a fear that a huge amount of people have, hardly uncommon. I was brought up by a WC boomer who became MC as a result and was always in fear of "getting it wrong". That leaves a scar. You dont want to bee seen as "cheeky" or "demanding" or "greedy". So you go hungry instead. Not at all uncommon.

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Seriously, how would you be getting it wrong when someone has clearly told you to do something?

Do you think people say it and don't mean it?

If I told you to help yourself to tea/coffee/cake/biscuits, etc., in my house would you think I didn't really mean it?

You would rather sit there thirsty and hungry because for some reason you think I'm talking shite?

Original poster
Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:52

I definitely wouldn’t mention it to the parents and make it all awkward

OP posts:
Original poster
Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:52

@Twonewcats If a menu was left with money and explicit instructions to get a take away, I would with no issues. This text was sent after leaving and sort of an afterthought

OP posts:
Twonewcats · 21/06/2024 21:51

ChampagneLassie · 21/06/2024 21:46

isnt money enough? And you buy your own food. I think it’s a bit different in a hotel room where you don’t have a kitchen / can’t necessarily deliveroo

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If I was babysitting, I'd eat something light before I went, and would appreciate
something like some nibbles at the house.
If I was getting a babysitter, I'd tell them at the time of booking if I was going to get them a takeaway etc, so it wasn't ambiguous

Original poster
Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:51

@allwillbe Surely there must be more like us

OP posts:
Original poster
Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:50

@Differentstarts Oh no 🙈😂

OP posts:
allwillbe · 21/06/2024 21:47

Don’t worry op i think exactly like you but it is exhausting and I wish I didn’t:) It must stem from somewhere but I hide it well and friends and family would not know.

spriots · 21/06/2024 21:47

ChampagneLassie · 21/06/2024 21:41

Goodness I’m worried that babysitters expect me to have food for them (I don’t) I’d assume they’d have eaten before or after. I do say help yourself but there isn’t always anything actually meal like, if I’m going out myself. Is this expected? Id hate it if they were hungry & scared to ask

I was wondering the same thing

Well, not really in that we have had regular babysitters for a while and I assume they wouldn't stick around if they hated our approach.

But I don't provide food and I don't see it as an essential thing. I do encourage them to make use of the kitchen - tea, coffee. If they have brought their own food, plates, microwave, condiments. But I don't particularly see it as my role to provide a meal.

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/06/2024 21:46

PlacidPenelope · 21/06/2024 21:39

Why are you surprised that people take others at their word and don't overthink or over analyse and work themselves up into a state over something so clear and simple?

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Because we are all different and not everyone thinks the same way as you.

"Getting it wrong" is a fear that a huge amount of people have, hardly uncommon. I was brought up by a WC boomer who became MC as a result and was always in fear of "getting it wrong". That leaves a scar. You dont want to bee seen as "cheeky" or "demanding" or "greedy". So you go hungry instead. Not at all uncommon.

Twonewcats · 21/06/2024 21:46

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/06/2024 21:43

Mortifying for you, confirming boundaries for me.

We are all different.

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The boundaries have already been confirmed!
Microanalysing it with her employer who's also possibly tipsy is just going to be awkward as hell

ChampagneLassie · 21/06/2024 21:46

Feelsodrained · 21/06/2024 21:42

Yeah I’d expect food in return for babysitting

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isnt money enough? And you buy your own food. I think it’s a bit different in a hotel room where you don’t have a kitchen / can’t necessarily deliveroo

Twonewcats · 21/06/2024 21:43

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/06/2024 21:41

Well no but unless they left money to cover the takeaway as well, Iwould be paying so different thing!

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Well quite. I should've clarified that they'd have left money too 😅

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/06/2024 21:43

Twonewcats · 21/06/2024 21:42

Telling them you felt awkward and making a thing out of it would be mortifying

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Mortifying for you, confirming boundaries for me.

We are all different.

Feelsodrained · 21/06/2024 21:42

ChampagneLassie · 21/06/2024 21:41

Goodness I’m worried that babysitters expect me to have food for them (I don’t) I’d assume they’d have eaten before or after. I do say help yourself but there isn’t always anything actually meal like, if I’m going out myself. Is this expected? Id hate it if they were hungry & scared to ask

Yeah I’d expect food in return for babysitting

Twonewcats · 21/06/2024 21:42

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/06/2024 21:39

@Itsanotherworldisntit

I get it, I would rather eat my own feet than risk getting it wrong. The fact is though that what they are paying you for tonights sitting is probably a tiny fraction of what they spent on dinner. Doesnt help though does it?!

When they get back, or before next week, say "I didnt order anything as to be honest I have not been in this situation before so wasnt sure what the expectations are re payment for food etc. Could you confirm that for me please?"

Telling them you felt awkward and making a thing out of it would be mortifying

Differentstarts · 21/06/2024 21:41

Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:36

Thanks everyone,

Comments have confirmed I am indeed ridiculous, but I’m surprised no one else thinks like this at all
I’m not going to order as spent too long messing about with it, but will grab something on the way home.
If it’s the same situation next week, I will order and order with confidence 😅

I agree with you and think like you but I have quite severe mental health disorders so take that however you want 🤣🤣

PyongyangKipperbang · 21/06/2024 21:41

Twonewcats · 21/06/2024 21:40

If you were babysitting at someone's home and they left a takeaway menu and told you to make yourself comfortable and order food, I'm assuming you wouldn't overanalyse it?

Well no but unless they left money to cover the takeaway as well, Iwould be paying so different thing!

countcalculia · 21/06/2024 21:41

Just know that if they come home and realise you didn’t eat all evening they won’t be thinking ‘oh that Its she’s so honest’. They’ll be thinking ‘she was a bit wet for sitting there hungry all night’.

ChampagneLassie · 21/06/2024 21:41

Goodness I’m worried that babysitters expect me to have food for them (I don’t) I’d assume they’d have eaten before or after. I do say help yourself but there isn’t always anything actually meal like, if I’m going out myself. Is this expected? Id hate it if they were hungry & scared to ask

Twonewcats · 21/06/2024 21:40

If you were babysitting at someone's home and they left a takeaway menu and told you to make yourself comfortable and order food, I'm assuming you wouldn't overanalyse it?

PlacidPenelope · 21/06/2024 21:39

Itsanotherworldisntit · 21/06/2024 21:36

Thanks everyone,

Comments have confirmed I am indeed ridiculous, but I’m surprised no one else thinks like this at all
I’m not going to order as spent too long messing about with it, but will grab something on the way home.
If it’s the same situation next week, I will order and order with confidence 😅

Why are you surprised that people take others at their word and don't overthink or over analyse and work themselves up into a state over something so clear and simple?

Feelsodrained · 21/06/2024 21:39

This thread is ridiculous. Waiting for the next instalment from the OP - “is it cheeky for me to use the hand wash in the hotel bathroom?”