AIBU to expect people to clean up after themselves in cafe?

[Alloftheboys]

Earlier went to Costa. Find a table for four which was covered in cutlery, plates and rubbish.
This one is usually messy as they never seem to have enough staff on.
I start to shift everything over to another table so we can sit and realise what a state the previous customers had left.

I assume it was one or two adults and a child by the mess - child sized pieces of sausage roll, dolly mixture sweets and loads of bits of chocolate all over the floor.
It looked like someone had been trying to feed seagulls!

I don't mind having a quick wipe and tidy over a table before we sit down but this was something else! I would never leave a table in a cafe/restaurant in that state.

So AIBU? (I know I'm ranting and in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter that much)

YANBU - I don't obsessively clear up every last crumb if I've visited a cafe with my toddler but I do make sure there's no big bits of food anywhere and give the table a wipe. I sometimes go out with a Mum friend and her toddler and I am always mortified by the state she's willing to leave her side of the table in (especially as it's usually food she's brought in herself) I've been known to clean up after them if they go to the toilet

Agree Lady it takes seconds to be considerate and tidy up after yourself. Couple of moments of your time to stack. No issue.

I'd happily clear my own table in Costa but it seems to be policy that staff are supposed to do it - there's never anywhere to drop off cups and trays. I think it's counter productive because if staff are busy, tables don't get cleared.

@Viviennemary there wasn't anywhere else to eat due to the location. Also I have no pearls to clutch

@Bellamuerte I don't think the staff should have had to clear up the mess that was left. It's one thing to pick up some pots but another to scrape melted chocolate off the floor.

Most people (including me) will stack plates

I don’t know anyone who does that!!

@Aridane you don't know many nice people then

Pots? You didn't mention pots OP. As in yoghurt pots?

It's just a snapshot of someone else's life. They may be a slattern, they may be an overstretched parent with other things on their mind, they may be unable to bend to pick up things from the floor, they may just have been unaware - newborn perhaps. Who knows?

What LadyBunnysWig said.

Once kids are at nursery they are used to the routine of clearing away after a drink or snack and tend to be really keen to help out when you're in a café (although I appreciate there's a risk that can then create a risk or even more mess ).

I always clean up and stack the plates all up, onto the tray if we have one. Also pick up any food off the floor that has fallen if possible. I don't understand why anyone wouldn't, common sense surely.

If my baby gets puréed food on the floor I’ll wipe it up with a baby wipe because it could be a slip hazard, and I’ll wipe it off the table because it’s messy and if it got on someone else clothes it might stain them but otherwise I don’t clear up at all, that’s why I pay a premium to go in a cafe rather than a takeaway or bringing my own food out.
Costa always seems to be a bit grubby and sticky, I prefer an independent coffee shop as they seem to care more about cleanliness.

@TheBlowersDaughter pots = crockery plates etc

YANBU.

YANBU DS is 2 years old and loved to make a mess, whether it's going to a coffee shop or for a bite to eat. I always make sure our area is clean before we leave, I do not expect anybody to pick up food that he has thrown on the floor up. I stack the plates and cutlery and make sure our table isn't too messy. It's about how people perceive me I guess, whether they know me or not

When my kids were smallenough to make big messes I always asked for a dust pan and brush. Was always pleased when on all but one occasion I was told there was no need. I'm paying extra to have someone else tidy up....

@Alloftheboys yes ignore the rest of my post.

Mind blown about pots being plates.

@TheBlowersDaughter no need to apologise.
Does no one else say this?
Wash the pots? Is this another thing only my family say?

I wasn't apologising, I was being sarcastic. You focused on the wrong part of my post.

You asked if YABU. Well, yes in my opinion you are. Get over it.

That's fine if you don't agree. You don't need to be rude to me and others on the thread.

You could have just said "I feel it's my right to leave rubbish and bits of food all over the place as it's the staffs job to tidy any and all mess I make"

Oh well piss off then I'm being rude? reread my post at 21:48.

Alltheboys. No I sometimes say it too, more interchangeable with dishes than plates & cups in a cafe though, I picked it up from my friend who was from Leicester.

TheBlowersDaughter. Here you go 🏅

I’m not sure why your ‘snapshot’ comment warrants all this fuss, but I can spare you a medal as you seem to want one.

....🥂🎉💐

You picked on someone earlier for referring to rubbish as "shit" on the floor and then on me for referring to crockery as "pots".

I was explaining to you what I meant and you responded by being sarcastic and rude.

I had to do this earlier in a soft play cafe. I had to do it the other day in Nero. Sometimes would be nice if the staff cleared up??