Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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
DedododoDedadada · 16/05/2026 10:14

What I don't get is if you are in a busy city with plenty of options and also food prepared at home, why go to somewhere expensive without suitable options in the first place.

Itiswhatitizz · 16/05/2026 10:08

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 04:43

I didn’t write it all in my OP, but she was rude.

I think she thought I was a young mum looking to take the piss. And I get it. I’m mid 30s, but still get ID’d so I don’t blame her.

I won’t go into exactly what she said, but she clearly made some assumptions from the monologue she decided to give me.

Show quote history

Buy you were looking to take the piss 😅 that's why you went up and asked for free chips, with a picture for proof

When I read your OP I was wondering if it was your attitude or expectation that made her refuse. It sounds like you immediately expected a freebie

A few months ago my 11 year old dropped her hot chocolate at a cafe. I went to the counter and asked for something to clean it up, said she'd just dropped it, can I order a new one ( had my card out ready ) and they gave her a new hot chocolate for free. I suspect if I went up expecting a free replacement, I wouldn't of got it

ThriveAT · 16/05/2026 10:03

It's not their problem at all.

LaburnumAnagyroides · 16/05/2026 09:59

But I cannot assume everyone would act like me.

Have a medal for being so lovely that you would give away your employer's profit margins. While simultaneously emailing a company over your own stupidity and entitlement to get a minimum wage worker in trouble.

CarelessWimper · 16/05/2026 09:58

Seriously unreasonable cheeky fucker and if the waitress was rude it was probably because you were mad and not as nice and sweet as you think you were.

Shatteredallthetimelately · 16/05/2026 09:56

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:41

But there is a difference between spilling the food and eating the food …

Thats why in past experience, and the experience of others on this thread, when someone spills their food or it drops - a replacement is given out of goodwill.

But I guess goodwill only applies if you do not ask … for whatever reason.

Show quote history

From your OP....

I’m about to take my first serving of noodles and baby kicks the chips all over the floor.

But in this case your DC didn't spill the food, they "kicked the chips over the floor"

Dogladyloveswine · 16/05/2026 09:54

That's some serious NECK.

7238SM · 16/05/2026 09:50

Thats why in past experience, and the experience of others on this thread, when someone spills their food or it drops - a replacement is given out of goodwill

The vast majority, if not ALL those that have had a replacement drink etc were sitting within a cafe/restaurant in view of staff. Not in a large, open food court and sitting far away from the actual kiosk!

ComfyKnickers · 16/05/2026 09:47

Just when I think entitlement can't get any worse.

I agree wirh a PP, you were refunded to make you shut up and go away.

I'm a bit embarrassed for you.

Original poster
Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:45

Anewuser · 16/05/2026 07:52

Not the point of the thread…but your child is no longer a baby so stop calling her a baby. Once they reach a year old, they’re then a toddler or child.

You’re not a young mum if you’re mid 30s, in fact you’re closer to being a geriatric mum (giving birth after 35).

And, who keeps their child out that late, where they’re eating at 8pm before a long car journey home when they’re then feeding their child rice and spinach stew before bed?

Someone with abit of a life …

We don’t all have anal routines.

And I don’t understand why so many are assuming this is a reflection of my whole life.

Anyway - I get it, when you become a mum you should surrender your life and routine to the needs of your child, and not be up past 6pm🙄

There were plenty of families and buggies still out there- I live in a busy city.

OP posts:
Original poster
Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:42

OneFunBrickNewt · 16/05/2026 07:59

If you sold your house, and the new owners knocked it down by mistake, would you replace it?

Show quote history

High valued item - rules are bit different …

OP posts:
ruethewhirl · 16/05/2026 09:42

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 03:42

Thanks for your replies. I wouldn’t have normally asked.

If you don’t ask you don’t get. I usually bring home made lunch, but I’d been out with baby since 10am. This happened at around 8pm, by then had ran out of packed food and when we are out I tend to stick with chips.

Super interesting reading the very judgy comments. But I guess this is MN.

Funnily enough when I worked in retail (a decade ago) we had “well-off” clients. There was a shoe priced at £900 and the customer asked, if her and her friend bought a pair each, could they have it for half price. I asked my manager, she said yes - to my surprise.

On that day I learned - if you don’t ask the answer is always no.

Anyways - an update - I complained via email to HQ, as the woman was actually incredibly rude too and I got a full refund.

Ah, 'If you don't ask you don't get'. The mantra of CFs everywhere.

Original poster
Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:41

Whaleandsnail6 · 16/05/2026 07:52

You were driven by the thought of a hungry child? There was other options than asking for free food...and then not taking no for an answer.

You could have bought more chips if you were so desperate to feed them to your kid

I don't understand why you and your friends think an accident with the food, that is no way the food counters fault, is theirs to be out of pocket for.

If you and lo had enjoyed the chips, but was then still hungry after only 5 minutes of buying them and wanted more, would you expect a second portion for free? From the food vendors experience, there is no difference in you spilling the food and eating the food, so why is it their problem to sort?

Show quote history

But there is a difference between spilling the food and eating the food …

Thats why in past experience, and the experience of others on this thread, when someone spills their food or it drops - a replacement is given out of goodwill.

But I guess goodwill only applies if you do not ask … for whatever reason.

OP posts:
youalright · 16/05/2026 09:39

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:35

I understand.

They are a chain, but I understand each store probably has their own budget etc.

I just know when I worked in that field I would have said yes. And it would have come from goodwill.

But I cannot assume everyone would act like me.

Show quote history

The staff serving you aren't allowed to make these decisions its not their stock to just give out. They will have been told previously whether this is something they can or can't do. Where I work we replace if something is broken right then but not if they left the building and come back 5 minutes later. But this isn't a decision I am making personally as I don't own the company these are the rules we are given

Nothinglikeagoodbook · 16/05/2026 09:37

You keep saying you "understand" or you "get it", but that’s obviously not true or you wouldn't have added insult to injury by going out of your way to get the person who refused to give in to your entitled and unreasonable demand into trouble.

Can you not see what 97% of respondents think of you?

Original poster
Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:37

Applecup · 16/05/2026 07:44

£25 for some noodles and chips? You were robbed. Should have spent your money on something better value and nutritious.

I agree. Eating out is overpriced these days.

Most of the kiosks were fried foods and pizzas. Most of them had reduced menus too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:35

SwatTheTwit · 16/05/2026 08:56

While I don’t think some cheap chips are a big issue, it’s also not the worker’s problem that your child launched them away.

It really depends on the workplace. DD has worked a couple hospitality jobs where the managers were absolutely anal about stock, so I’d imagine there you’d get a “no” too.

I understand.

They are a chain, but I understand each store probably has their own budget etc.

I just know when I worked in that field I would have said yes. And it would have come from goodwill.

But I cannot assume everyone would act like me.

OP posts:
Tshirtking · 16/05/2026 09:32

Why does the company have to pay for your parenting mistakes? Give them one or a few chips at a time. Giving them the whole thing is just asking for problems.

Original poster
Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:31

GenialHarrietGrouty · 16/05/2026 08:58

If you don’t ask you don’t get.

Absolutely. If that was all you had done, and if you had accepted "No" for an answer, I think every post would be on your side. The problem is that you didn't, you went on and pleaded, and you clearly think that should have resulted in you getting your freebie. In fact, you didn't just plead, you actually took the trouble to go away and complain. If they really did refund you, it was plainly just to shut you up. Something tells me you wouldn't be welcomed if you went back there.

And I wouldn’t go back and buy from them again.

I live in a city with plenty of choices.

I was polite, I asked. She decided to be rude back and get personal.

It’s funny, I’ve seen people haggle down the price of things. Or sales people act pushy and annoying. You politely tell them you aren’t interested, or no. You don’t turn around with indirect insults.

OP posts:
Original poster
Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:22

Leavesandthings · 16/05/2026 09:04

Ah good point!

Show quote history

It’s in my mailbox. They sent it to me during the day, but I had seen it later on in the evening when I checked my emails.

For those that really need evidence you can DM 🙄

OP posts:
SnappyUmberLion · 16/05/2026 09:22

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:20

2 sides to every story.

Show quote history

Haven’t you given us both sides?

hahabahbag · 16/05/2026 09:22

No i wouldn’t, your child dropped them, not their fault

Balloonhearts · 16/05/2026 09:21

You WERE looking to take the piss. I can't believe you pleaded for free food because your kid knocked it over, then had the nerve to complain. I'm actually cringing for you. Have some class; Jesus Christ...

Edit: that's not boldness, it was just trashy.

Original poster
Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:20

Aleopardneverchangesitssocks · 16/05/2026 09:05

I guess the consensus is that I shouldn’t have asked - I get it, some people can’t stand boldness.

I love that total CF OP has rebranded CFery as boldness.

Show quote history

2 sides to every story.

OP posts:
Original poster
Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:19

CancellingAgain · 16/05/2026 05:54

Some places would automatically give a replacement. I have had it happen without asking in the past. Difference is, that I never asked.

I actually don’t believe a refund was given like that immediately after an email. With no ‘investigation’ or them discussing with the staff first. It didn’t happen.

And why did we need to know the child went home and ate ‘brown rice and spinach’?!

The brown rice and spinach was a direct answer to someone that asked what happened next.

And the handful of comments that are asking “why would you give the baby chips”

I understand. It looks like the issue was the fact I asked. Despite most people having experience of staff members offering free replacements - but out of goodwill, of course.

OP posts: