Vomit in restaurant.

[ClaryFray]

I need a dose of straight talking, I'm aware my own mental health issues may be clouding my judgement so some perspective.

I suffer with emetophobia, which for those of you who don't know, is a fear of all things vomit.

So today I went for a meal with my family which is rare for me, as I have an eating disorder which is due to restrictive diet I implement based on foods that are likely to make me sick.

We were sat at our table, eating our mains, when a man was sick all over the floor right next to our table. I didn't notice this as was dealing with DS. However when I did notice it, my dad (bless him tried to tell me someone had spilled coleslaw.) however I had to flea to the bathroom to wash my hands, and use lots of the alcohol gel I carry with me at all times. My hands are now red raw.

Yes I am being treated. I'm aware it's my issue and the world cant stop to accommodate it.

Now on to my AIBU - it took the staff 10 minutes to clean it up. There was 4 staff members stood there discussing other things for 5 minutes, one of the staff even escorted a child back to the table she was with after she stepped in it. when clean up finally commenced one of the chefs (of all people) came out to assist in cleaning it!! AIBU to send an email to complain, as it's health and safety or is my aniexty about now becoming ill clouding my rational brain.

Please be gentle I struggle enough living with this day to day. I know it can make me irrational which is why I'm asking others opinions on this before I complain.

One of my children has a form of epilepsy that involves being sick without warning as part of the aura. Just wanted to put that out there as it has happened to us in a couple of places. Thankfully, those around us were understanding as it’s hard enough without judgement. But I do sympathise with you, it’s not nice to witness.

Actually, I think you should be a little bit proud of yourself here.You didn't leave the restaurant straight away, although you were in the bathroom, you did leave the building! Is this a change to how you would previously have reacted? if so, something is helping, well done (in an odd way!)

Not emetophobic but I would have left immediately.

Sorry didn't leave the building!

My friend has epilepsy, she vomits in places when she has a fit. It is so hard for her to get out and about.

The customer or his companions should have cleaned it up. The staff are not paid enough to deal with that!

What did the person who vomited do and his party. No way should the chef have done it. Yabu.

Yanbu not yabu! Yuk the thought of the chef and cooking afterwards

I have every sympathy for the man who vomited btw. I assume he didn’t do it on purpose. But I’d definitely have left after it was left sitting there for ten minutes, before the chef cleaned it up (not envy).

Being viscerally repulsed by vomit and unable to continue eating in its recent proximity is not 'judgement'.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the person doing the vomiting. It is solely about the vomit.

Wasn’t necessarily a chef even if they were in whites.
Everyone from kitchen manager to the dish person will wear whites generally. They may not have been cooking.
Also most restaurants will have extra whites so they may well have changed afterwards.

I don't have emetophobic either, but I'd have left too. That's disgusting.

God OP I sympathise. That sounds horrible. I don't consider myself emetophobic (sp?!) but I'm terrified of being vomited on. For example, I get scared sitting in front of someone on the bus or train as I'm worried they'll throw up on me?! I don't really know why. And I take a busy commuter train and am terrified of someone throwing up near me. Or in pub loos. Oh dear...is everyone like this?

Yuck! you poor thing!

I definitely think you should contact public health- the vomit should have been cleaned up immediately and nearby tables evacuated if not, the whole restaurant.

I have Emetophobia too and I think you did amazingly well to sit through your meal and prioritize your family. Although leaving the restaurant might have made you feel more safe, you were very brave to stay put.

What do you think they should have done?