Cleaning up after your child in fastfood place

[mom20172017]

Was eating with my Preteen daughters at McDonald's play area and someone else kid dropped their drink on the floor. When that happens to me, I would just grab a mop and clean it up myself as all cleaning equipment left in main lobby just outside play area in this Mcdonalds (separate room) and I seen other moms do the same(be it getting broom, rag or a mop). This mom decided she was to good to clean up her own kids mess so just informed manager there was a spill and a worker was forced to clean it up while mom watched.

Am I wrong in thinking that if kids make a mess you should clean it your self, especially when cleaning equipment is left out ?

I even made comment that there is a mop just outside in lobby to clean that which would have taken her 1 minute to do

Honestly if my child dropped a drink in this scenario I would report to staff to clean up whilst apologising profusely as I would not know where spillage signs etc are

I would ask for a cloth but not use a mop. Staff do get paid to clean up, and it seems an accidental spill rather than deliberate food throwing etc which should definitely be stopped and cleared up by child or parents (dependent on age). You do sound a but sneary

No, I wouldn't get out a mop in McDonalds. I would clean the worst of it with napkins and apologetically tell a member of staff that my child had spilled something.

Also, I couldn't take my eyes off of dd (2) while I looked for a mop - she would be off

I think most food establishments would regard it as a necessary evil, to have to clean up after their customers, tbh! I don't think it's a big deal.

I wouldn't grab a mop. I try and prevent mess in restaurant. I do tidy up the table but don't expect to wash the floor.
How do you know she was "too good" to do it?!?!

No, wouldn't get a mop either. Some paper napkins possibly but more probably I would just let a member of staff know.

I would think the staff would rather know and clean up properly themselves than a random person half hearted swipe with a mop.

I'd clean it up with napkins, I don't think I'd go as far as getting the mop, or I might ask if I could us the mop.

No, I would never go and grab the cleaning products from a cupboard in a restaurant and clean up. If something like a drink gets spilt then you tell staff and apologize, if they drop a few chips you pick them up. I would think it was weird if I saw a customer using a mop in a restaurant

We always clean up after ourselves but for a big fluid spill I might well report it to the staff, because it's a slip hazard and needs properly cleaned up not just a quick swipe.

I would have grovelled and been grateful for the help though.

I would do my best with napkins but no I wouldn't grab a mop. That's not there for customers to use - I also wouldn't vault the counter and get my own drink to save the staff a job.

When I worked in fast food we would not have been allowed to give you a mop.
On the other hand I hated it when people didn't clear their tables!

I'd clean most spillages up but wouldn't dream of getting the mop and using it

Sounds grim that the cleaning stuff was left out in the eating area. It's staff equipment, not for you to use. In fact it should not be accessible to customers as the restaurant could end up getting sued if an accident happened while it was being used (hand cut on a broken metal edge of a bucket etc). Sounds crazy but is reality in today's world of compensation culture.

Also, with a big spill, it is important that the cleaning is done properly and the customer cannot be relied upon to do that. If a bit is left and another child slips on it then, once again, potential legal liability for Maccy Ds.
The only correct thing to do is to tell the staff.

I wouldn't get a mop, and have never seen anyone do that. It isn't mine for a start! I would tend to chuck a load of napkins on and then go and find a staff member. I would always offer to clean it up if they gave me a cloth etc, and would happily do so, but equally would be quite surprised if they actually let me do it.

I will always have a cursory check for food dropped etc before I go if feeding young kids.

Yeah, the cleaner might be a bit territorial with the mop, if I were the cleaner I wouldn't want some random using my equipment.

I used to work there. Customers would not be encouraged to go round grabbing mops, because there are different coloured mops for different areas of the store.

I would just try to get the worst of it then tell a member of staff. It is an accident.

YABU
I think in those circumstances it was ok for the Mum to leave the cleaning to the staff. I presume she apologized.

I agree, cleaning equipment shouldn't be left out, I've never seen stuff left out like that.

I think grabbing a mop is a bit much. I'd use napkins to clean up as best I could, and tell a staff member.

I usually pick up after DS if he's dropped bits on the floor, or if there's lots of stuff (e.g. peas) is ask for a brush and shovel - I've never once been given one, staff always insist they will do it. I certainly wouldn't just grab their cleaning equipment without asking. If this mum doesn't realise that's the 'done' thing at your local McDonalds to do it yourself, I don't think SWBU to inform the manager.

No i wouldn't have mopped. I would clear away rubbish and wipe up small should but if the floor needs mopping, I've never known a restaurant or shop to give the mop to the customer to do themselves.

I wouldn't get the mop, you can't just take their cleaning equipment. The staff need to put out a sign and ensure the floor isn't slippery.

I think she did the right thing getting a member of staff, if I saw you fetching the mop I would think you were a bit odd.

I wouldn't get a mop out either! How strange!