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AIBU?

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Original poster

Would you give me the replacement chips?

543 replies

Houseofdrums · 15/05/2026 18:22

Im with a group of mum friends at a food court. We all go off to different kiosks. Order our food. We find an available table.

I order from a Thai cuisine, a noodle dish and some chips for the little one.

I pick up the food, put toddler in highchair, put the chips infront of her. I’m about to take my first serving of noodles and baby kicks the chips all over the floor.

The chips cost £5. One of the mums says that it’s been less than 5 mins and they didn’t touch the chips, I should be able to ask for a replacement.

So I go to the kiosk, politely explain that I was just here and the baby annoyingly dropped all the chips. I show them the picture (we are sitting on the other end of the food court).

They say no. But I plead a little bit - I do have a soft voice so I’m being nice. Then they go on and on about how every mum will be asking for freebies. I should pay for another one. And I should go to another one of their stores who would provide me free chips.

Turns out she was also the manager.

I worked in waitressing many years ago, and honestly, we would have just given a portion of chips. Id be hesitant if it was the whole meal - but a couple of chips for a baby?

Was I being unreasonable?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
greenapplez · 15/05/2026 18:30

I plead a little bit - I do have a soft voice so I’m being nice

Do you mean you tried to flirt or something? Because ew

PygmyOwl · 15/05/2026 18:30

It's tough times for businesses OP.

LegoEmergency · 15/05/2026 18:30

No, of course not - why should they shoulder the financial responsibility for your child kicking over their chips? What could they have done differently to avoid it? Nothing presumably. What could you have done differently to avoid it? Supervised your child better, presumably!

It’s not their fault and they are running a business.

A business MIGHT take pity on you in this situation and give you a free replacement, but that would be goodwill out of the goodness of their heart and shouldn’t be expected.

You shouldn’t even really have asked for a free replacement- the most I would have done is go up to order another portion and roll my eyes and say “I can’t believe it - my child has knocked them all over the floor, so please can I order another portion” and then hope they take pity and give you them for free. You can’t expect it though, imo.

Shatteredallthetimelately · 15/05/2026 18:30

YABU.

Why should they have to replace the chips due to your own DC's doing, imagine if everyone tried that on.

LaburnumAnagyroides · 15/05/2026 18:29

Why should they suffer loss for you putting the whole pack of chips in front of your baby/toddler?

RaspberryFeet · 15/05/2026 18:29

I have been on MN for twenty years and I don't think I've ever seen such a daft question.

HawkersWest · 15/05/2026 18:29

I agree with everyone. I'm not sure why you'd think you would be entitled to a free replacement. 🤔

FedBeGone · 15/05/2026 18:28

Why wouldn't you just pick up the chips and put them back on the plate? (only half joking)

Not the point of your thread, but who the fuck pays £5 for chips?

For a child? Edited as I originally said "baby" but you refer to a toddler (then called them a baby).

CmonBobby · 15/05/2026 18:28

Worth an ask but you got told no. It’s annoying but once you’ve paid and walked away with the chips they are your responsibility

Ilovecoffeeme · 15/05/2026 18:28

Of course they shouldn’t have given you free chips. I’m surprised you even asked.

Rituelec · 15/05/2026 18:28

Yabu

ToKittyornottoKitty · 15/05/2026 18:27

Serious CFery on your part!

ChickenBananaBanana · 15/05/2026 18:27

CurlewKate · 15/05/2026 18:25

Why would they give you free chips? I don’t understand.

Yeah this op. I wouldn't expect free chips if I was dozy enough to drop them so why would they give you them for a baby?

Reminds me of signs at the seaside saying they won't replace if seagulls nick your chips 😂😂

WeatherOrNothing · 15/05/2026 18:26

What a cheek! £5 adds up, can’t believe you asked. Just because it’s a baby?

MidnightPatrol · 15/05/2026 18:26

“One of the mums says that it’s been less than 5 mins and they didn’t touch the chips, I should be able to ask for a replacement.” - how bizarre, what’s the logic here?

I’d probably have just replaced them to be nice, but I suppose there is an argument that by doing so it costs them money so they aren’t really obliged to.

It’s very annoying that it costs £5 for what is basically a handful of chips nowadays.

CurlewKate · 15/05/2026 18:25

Why would they give you free chips? I don’t understand.

Woahtherehoney · 15/05/2026 18:24

They have a point - if everyone did that they’d be giving out free food left, right and center. So yes, yabu. Unfortunate but you need to pay for new chips.

Malinia · 15/05/2026 18:24

Yes yabu. It's not their fault your baby kicked the food over. You should buy another one.