Asked not to eat food from elsewhere

[moogoom]

In an independent burger bar tucked away in the corner. It is 7:30 and just finished some shopping with kids in tow. DD has decided burgers are another thing she cant eat anymore so we quickly called next door for a kids sandwich and popped back to previous tucked away seat. The owner comes along and tells me to ask my daughter to put the sandwich away if we are eating in. But loudly so the customers can hear, which they all did. So would you call this pernickety behaviour or her prerogative?

I think that is a fair point, @Takfujimoto.

YANBU-since you bought 2 full meals I really don’t see why the owner had a problem with what your 9 year old daughter was eating.

Everyone knows kids are fussy.

What is confrontational about saying that only food bought on the premises may be consumed? It’s pretty standard practice

Francis I personally find it confrontational to interrupt someone's meal, but we seem to be unable to agree on anything in reference to this situation.

I worked in customer service for a long time and this is just not how I would have handled the situation, but you are quite right, judging by the response my POV is certainly less popular butithinkimnicer 😂

So one child wanted to eat in a place where the other child would not eat. You tried to indulge them both.

Stop indulging them. Your dd could wait to eat or your ds could be taken somewhere where dd would eat too. Sounds like a lot of rivalry going on there. Put a stop to it. Don't indulge either of them.

Sorry, clicked Post too soon.

You need to ask yourself why your son wanted to eat in a place where he knew his sister would not be able to eat.

You need to ask yourself why your dd decides she won't eat the sort of thing your son wants to eat.

Which child do you think 'won' this time?

Is this sort of behaviour habitual? Do they do this a lot or was it a one-off?

YANBU. Have done similar before. My siblings have severe allergies and in some places are unable to eat anything due to possible contamination. As long as there are still others purchasing food from the premises, one person with food from another place aren't an issue IMO

She was 'able' to eat it, she decided she didn't want it. No allergies, sensory issues, intolerances....she's picky

It's not the same thing at all.

xoguineas

1. The OP's child did not have allergies.
2. You thinking it isn't an issue for you (the customer) does not make it not an issue for the vendor. Who has a living to make.

As I said Francis we don't agree.

It doesn't change the fact that they've lost a customer though, next time Op is in town alone or without her DD and fancies a burger I doubt she will be willing to spend more money at the restaurant in question.
She may consider eating there again if this situation was handled a bit more discreetly though.

It's a shame all round really, independent business have a hard time making it against restaurant chains, good or bad customer service does make a huge impact.

greendale17 Everyone knows kids are fussy

Only if they are indulged.

It doesn't change the fact that they've lost a customer though

Why would you assume that losing a customer is always a bad thing? Some customers a business can well do without.

Forgive me Francis I wasn't trying to play top trumps.

TooTrue in this instance the op made a misguided faux pas according to the owner and a lot of other people on this thread but the op didn't say she argued the point aggressively with the owner, if the customer isn't rude and hostile when confronted or made aware then I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt and as I said before I would have waited until the meal was finished before talking to the op so they at least got to enjoy their meal.
If I was interrupted like this I wouldn't get angry but I definitely wouldn't want to go back.

No agression just miffed. And left with a bit if bad feeling. Id given them 15 quid for two burgers a portion of fries to share (large designed for sharing) and an overpriced large drink. No biggy just wanted to gauge opinion really. Love the thread tho. Didnt think anyone would respond. I may be back to spill contents of my conscience in the future...
Der, der, derrrrrrr!

'The Ivy' didn't let me eat my MacDonalds at one of their table either...

YWBU

Should have explained to staff about your daughter when ordering your meals and asked if okay to pop out to get her a sandwich.
Bit of consideration was needed as well as commonsense!

YOu turn up at any eating place and pull out your own food and it would be frown upon… if she had an allergy fair enough but DD just being fussy...YABU

@moogoom

So youd really make your kid stand outside or tell her to wait until we had eaten our food and leave before eating a small sandwich

Absolutely! If my daughter was offered food and declined all on offer she can wait!

I used to take my own food into restaurants all the time, well into my teens. I won’t eat off the menu, and my parents used to order their own food and I’d eat a packed lunch. No one ever had a problem with it. I don’t think you’re in the wrong.

Only if they are indulged.

There are multiple reasons for fussy eating. I have ADHD and as a consequence, issues with food texture. You’d have no idea by looking at someone, who has that.

@GlomOfNit

I have a similar situation with 2 of my 3. Like you I explain in advance or if it’s busy just get what the rest of us are having to go and eat in the park. The places I go know what my youngest is like and knew that She won’t eat anything from there, I only do it because they offered in advance. “Next time you come, she’s welcome to eat her own food”

Well done to you for asking nicely xx

Most places are funny with people bringing in food from elsewhere, maybe because you are advertising other places or not eating theirs. However, as you were also buying food from there too, I actually don’t see the problem. And as for allowing the other customers to hear this conversation, I’d have picked up my stuff, my kids and taken my custom elsewher. On this occasion you are not in the wrong and mrs food owner place needs to calm down.