Parents should pick up after their kids who make mess in restaurants

[LifeofI]

Do you think so?

I was in a restaurant today with my friend and her two year old, her child always eats about 4 chips then the rest she just throws the food around. When we were leaving a lady made a comment "aren't you going to clean that up" my friend didn't hear but i did and said no and she just tutted.

When i got home me and my partner had a discussion and he thinks the parents should clean up after their child as he has work as a waiter and said it is annoying but i'm on the fence about it. We have a very young baby who hasn't started eating solids so we are not at that stage.

What do you think?

It always faintly disgusts me when people make no attempt to at least clear around a particularly messy highchair. Have to say, am quite surprised at the responses here which are all pretty much for tidying up. I thought I was in a minority.

Just don't ever go to any restaurants in Chelsea people not used to clearing up after themselves, never mind their children. It's carnage under high-chairs there ;)

I once lived somewhere and my neighbour's dog pooed on the pavement right outside our house. She minced off and said her housekeeper would come and move it. Nothing surprises me any more.

If this is for real then yes YABU

Can't stand dirty scumbags who leave mess expecting others to clean it up.

Also a marvellous example for your DC....not.

I always clean up, even pick food off the floor. I know someone is paid to do it but I feel like that is above and beyond! I am always stopped by waiting staff though who say they prefer to do it, so not sure what is right really.

I agree with Foxes, I would never attempt to clean anything with wipes so it looks like a proper clean, I would expect that the staff have specific cleaning fluids etc to do this but definitely would pick up large bits of food that anyone, including ourselves, may have dropped.

Anything more than bog standard mess I clean up. So food on the floor would be cleaned but normal crumbs wouldn't be

I'm lucky my DC aren't food throwers they like food far too much for that but if they do accidentally drop something we always clear it up. DH & I have both worked in F&B & there is nothing worse than picking up soggy/saliva covered food especially when you don't know who did the sucking.

Stunned that you really need to ask

Every time. But then again I always take my empties back to the bar. I always see tables full of devastation and think wtf - how dare they leave it like that. I still have that probably old fashioned thinking of I wouldn't do it at home so why the hell do it anywhere else.

Can't stand dirty scumbags who leave mess expecting others to clean it up.

This!

Shocked that you even had to ask and your husband had to point this out to you. Don't be filthy, pick up after yourself so your children learn good manners.

Is this for real? I'm depressed that someone actually needed to even ask! YABU!

I was in TGIs last weekend and I couldn't believe the mess left by the family at the table next to us. There was food all over the floor along with crayons, paper, napkins etc. It took two waiting staff about 10 minutes to clean it all up before they could seat anyone else there. Bang out of order and a terrible example to set to kids.

Absolutely you should clear up after them. It's a so bloody rude not to its one of my biggest pet hates.

Yes I would clean up as much as feasible.

I agree with the earlier poster who tidies and stacks plates and cutlery!

I would clean up a mess. I used to work clearing tables in a cafe and it's horrible the state that some people leave their tables in. I always stack my tray now so make in easier for the person cleaning my table

Its an important lesson to teach your children. You do not make a terrible mess and expect someone else to clean it up.

I clean up and 95% of the time waiting staff tell me not too. Wondering if I look like my cleaning skills are not up to standard?

YABVU. Find it bizarre someone wouldn't pick up food their child has thrown everywhere. That's very different from standard used cutlery, crockery, small spills on table etc

I always pick up any bits of food that have gone on the floor and make sure the table isn't covered in food/rubbish.

I always pick up any bits of food thrown left.

I just can't leave a mess for someone else to clean up. Don't get me wrong I won't go all out and get a bottle of Dettol out but I won't leave it in a state either.

I have a child who makes a lot of mess and clean up as much as is possible with a couple of dry napkins - I may get a baby wipe out if he's left greasy marks on a chair which might otherwise be missed until someone is unlucky enough to sit on them.

Definitely cleaned up anything over and above normal crumbs. Also apologies and big tips if I wanted to be greeted with open arms next time...never had a food throwing incident happen on my watch, but I wouldn't tolerate it, that's for sure.