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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

344 replies

LifeofI · 28/02/2016 19:17

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?

OP posts:
Lamaitresse · 28/02/2016 19:42

We always clean up, whether the food is on the table or on the floor. I have also been known to take a wipe to the table before we leave - can't bear leaving a mess for some other poor person to clean up!

Thisisnotausername · 28/02/2016 19:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

purplepandas · 28/02/2016 19:43

Totally would and do clean up. Why should someone else do it? Children are messy!

MammaTJ · 28/02/2016 19:43

Of course she should have cleaned it up, no wonder the woman tutted!

theycallmemellojello · 28/02/2016 19:44

Of course you can't just start cleaning up a restaurant! If they accept customers that are liable to make a mess - for example four year olds - then of course they accept that they will have to clean up that mess.

NewLife4Me · 28/02/2016 19:46

I would never have allowed mine to throw food on the floor, you move it Shock
If you make a mess, you clean it up if it's a lot.
Yes, waiters are paid to wipe tables pick up small amounts of dropped food but only the odd chip or pea.

Grilledaubergines · 28/02/2016 19:47

Have some decency OP. Part of the job of a parent is to set a good example to your children. Even if your friend was too entitled to clean up after allowing her child to throw her food (seriously who the fuck willingly allows their children to behave like that?), you could have done it. You could have taught her not to behave like a knob.

Janeymoo50 · 28/02/2016 19:47

The fact you even need to ask says it all really (based on the description of your meal out). Glad i wasn't sat next to you two.

theycallmemellojello · 28/02/2016 19:47

Can't believe these replies. Have you never dropped or spilled something in a restaurant? Of course you do your best with paper towels, but ultimately it's the waiting staff who clear it up.

Youarentkiddingme · 28/02/2016 19:47

YABU.

Staff will always say "it's fine, leave it". But let's be honest - why would you allow a child to eat 4 chips and throw the rest around? Just give them a few bits off your plate if they don't want or dont eat a meal yet.

I get that children throw food - it doesn't mean we should just let them.

Cressandra · 28/02/2016 19:48

Yes we used to pick up major bits (and made sure we tipped well) but not every single crumb. My youngest is at school and I have to say it hasn't crossed my mind for some years.

Original poster
LifeofI · 28/02/2016 19:49

I said i'm on the fence i didn't say she should not have to. As others have pointed out the staff say not to sometimes, I suppose this is why my friend doesn't.

OP posts:
PiperChapstick · 28/02/2016 19:50

Staff say not to bother if you're willing to be helpful I find. But not sure why a 2yo is throwing chips around? That's what babies do. my DD is 2 and stopped this at around a year old, and she would know this wasn't good behaviour!

TheFairyCaravan · 28/02/2016 19:51

I would have cleared it up, but the food would've been moved before our's had the chance to throw it.

Thisisnotausername · 28/02/2016 19:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LifeofI · 28/02/2016 19:52

thisisnot
can you bother to read my post rather than call me an "arse"
this isn't an IBU its a simple question.
Learn to have an adult discussion. You dont always have to insult people on here.

OP posts:
bakingaddict · 28/02/2016 19:53

I'd clean up food on a table but I wouldn't get down on the floor and clear up food with baby wipes. If the restaurant is kid friendly then they should be sweeping after every sitting not relying on parents to do a cursory clean. My kids are generally not messy eaters but I would alert the staff if there is a bit of a mess on the floor. Same with plates I don't tend to stack them as they probably have their own efficient way of doing it much better than my half arsed haphazard way

witsender · 28/02/2016 19:53

Of course! I'm amazed this is even a question. Why wouldn't you?

mathanxiety · 28/02/2016 19:54

She shouldn't have let her child throw food around. And why did she order a whole helping for the child if she never eats?

If your child leaves a mess, then you leave a big tip.

Original poster
LifeofI · 28/02/2016 19:54

janey guess what this is what MN is for, to get opinions. So that is why i asked. Common sense.

OP posts:
Only1scoop · 28/02/2016 19:54

Lady made a comment
'Aren't you going to clean that up'

You say you replied "no" Confused

You aren't on the fence at all.

WitchWay · 28/02/2016 19:54

Good manners to make an effort to clear up IMO. Who on earth lets a child throw food around anyway FFS? Just move it out of reach Confused

Thisisnotausername · 28/02/2016 19:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LifeofI · 28/02/2016 19:55

Only, is it my child?

OP posts:
Thewinedidit · 28/02/2016 19:55

I always pick the big bits off. Not to is a terrible example to set your children.