to think that people in food courts should clear their rubbish away

[workshy]

went to my local shopping centre tonight, ended up staying longer than anticipated so decided to eat there

got food with 2x DDs, went to find an empty table and all the empty ones were covered with rubbish with one member of staff trying to keep on top of it

there are about 20 bins on this food court -how difficult is it to put your stuff in the bin ffs????

I ended up clearing a table myself for us to sit down -when we had finished eating DD2 took our stuff to the bin I'm not advocating child slavery, she enjoys doing it strange child and the man cleaning up went to help her and said thank you so enthusiastically, it was as if she was the ONLY person who had put their rubbish in the bin all day!

A food court is like any other public space - you wouldn't leave Greggs wrappers behind you after sitting on a bench in the precinct, would you?

How odd that this needs spelling out!

How is having bins all over the food court not enough of a hint to put your rubbish in it?

Yanbu. Some people are lazy slovenly ill-educated tossers aren't they? And I see we have a few on this thread .

YADNBU OP, I always make sure we clear up our rubbish when we've fin
ished eating at a food court or fast food place. And if we're in a resturant or cafe, I put our stuff neatly together so it's easier to clear up. Common courtesy to me, sheer laziness not to.

Easy. Just reverse the protocol. We should clear tables before we eat and leave our detritus for others. No-one could avoid their responsibilities that way. Well, some slobs might feel OK about putting their trays on the last diner's leftovers. Their call.

YANBU. I think it is utterly slobbish and lazy. I was with my two DC's about a month ago and the food court was hellishly busy. There were people standing about all over the place waiting for tables. A woman from a family at a table caught my eye and motioned that they were leaving and to grab their table. I beamed at her. But when we got to the table it was absolutely full of their discarded meals. Half-eaten hamburgers and chicken, chips and ketchup all over the trays. It was disgusting. I had to remove everything and take to the bin before my children and I could sit down. I just don't understand how a Mum could be so kind as to ensure we got their table but then leave all their shit behind for me to deal with.

Customers should clear their rubbish away.

Employees should clean the area.

Yanbu, it's expected that you clear away your own tray in food courts, Ikea etc, it only takes a minute. My dds like putting their rubbish in the bin, wish they were as keen to tidy up at home! It isn't putting anyone out of a job, the staff will still have to wipe tables clean the floor etc.

Halcyondays, if there is enough work for x number of employees including clearing, and the clearing stops, how do you think this would not put someone out of a job, or cause them to lose some hours? Do you think the employer would be happy to keep paying them when there isn't work for them to do?

"How is having bins all over the food court not enough of a hint to put your rubbish in it?"

Some people might assume the bins are for staff use. If there's a sign saying "Please clear your table and use this bin" then that's clearer by a long way.

YADNBU

It's basic consideration and manners to clear up after yourself. It's not like this is a proper restaurant/cafe where items are cleared by staff to be washed and reused. Fast food just creates litter, and throwing away your litter is just basic manners.

However YWBU if you thought there was any way of securing compliance from those who are accustomed to having others clear up after them.

I agree with you OP.

There have been some stupid and pretty selfish comments on here. Of course it is NOT his job to clear away other peoples rubbish, his job is to clean tables and floors and empty the bins! And he would not be out of a job if people put their own rubbish in the bins provided!

It reminds me of the ridiculous comments that teenagers would give me in the classroom when I asked them to pick up any litter off the floor. They would respond that it is what the cleaner is paid to do! I would make me feel so cross that they would think it beneath them to pick up a piece of paper! The cleaner is there to make their surroundings better for them. Sanitise their desks, clean windows, not pick up their rubbish!

At least they had an excuse, they are teenagers. The posters on here should know better.

I think it's the fact that all the seating is together that gives the impression of an all-in-one cafe, even though it's really to do with various outlets. I think it would really help if the rules were spelled out more clearly :)

YADNBU I think it's appalling and it's not just in food courts, every single Macdonald's, KFC or fast food place these days is littered with rubbish whilst the bins are sitting empty. I was going to post exactly this thread a few days ago as I am generally intrigued why people think it's okay to do it.

The whole point of cheap fast food restaurants was you had to clear up after yourself. Years ago they didn't need staff to clean up but now because of people's slovenly, lazy ways they need more and more staff to keep these places semi -decent. However they are never that great are they? The amount of times I have to clean up after some lazy ass because the one cleaner that is employed can't cope with the sheer scale of rubbish left at tables.

I had neever even considered it before my friend pointed out that he always bins his stuff after he's eaten at a food court...but I still don't' understand WHY!

You don't have to do it in a restaurant or cafe..why in a food court! If I pay for food and to eat it in an establishment...then they can do it!

gardenpixie you seem very confdent of his job description. How do YOU know what it is?

Spam you say the whole pont of fast fod is that you clear up yourself...if that were the case, then wouldn't they have clear instructions on the wall? Who made that rule because I have never heard it.

I don't eat in food courts if I can avoid it [shudder]. When I have, I've left my tray on the table, because I had no idea you were supposed to clear it yourself. I've never seen a sign telling me to do so, so I assumed it was like any other cafe/restaurant. I don't see why cheapness makes a difference - you're not expected to clear your table in a greasy spoon, are you?

Good grief, telling people to go fuck themselves on a thread about clearing tables ? Really?

People should tidy up after themselves unless the waiter comes over to take it away and you can give him a tip. So in a food court, fast food place or wherever I tidy up after myself.

But the franchises making a fucking fortune out of charging over the odds for beige food and then expecting you to clear up afterwards should pay for enough staff to keep it clean

Why do you need a sign to tell you to clean up after yourselves? For god's sake. I would just feel nasty all over if I walked away from a table and left my half-eaten food and wrappers all over it, and that was before I even had any DCs. It's just good manners I think.

I always thought the cleaners were there to clean, not pick up all of my shit because I was too lazy.

People who leave their trays, cups and wrappers behind to fall onto the floor are probably the same kind of people who recline their seats on planes. Just because they can.

And as for all those "oh I didn't realise you were meant to put your tray away" or "well I've never done it because I've never seen a sign telling me to do it" comments: Really?

manky if that's all it takes for you to "feel nasty all over" God knows how yu cope with parenting!

How s it any dfferent that a restaurant? You pay, you eat....there are staff...I have worked in cafes and never once juded people who left me their rubbish....people are busy...they're eating out....they don't always think...whatever...it''s not worth getting apoplectic about!

And what Rhubarb says is right!

Most of these type of place do have signs asking you to clear your stuff. You still get inconsiderate arseholes who don't though.