Eating out? Is it me

[Lunafortheloveogod]

Ok am I being uptight or is it perfectly reasonable to still not want to eat out.

You need a mask in Asda but not in a cafe that’s half the size.. the tables aren’t all distanced and I’ve seen places that don’t clean. What are they cleaning with? Toddler gives me the fear cause everything is licked so I wouldn’t want him licking bleach.

A few weeks ago we were to stay in and avoid each other now it’s ok to pop for a pub lunch.

MIL has a milestone coming, not major, and wants us all to go out to eat.. I’ve said no offered to do something at home, atleast then I know anything the toddler licks is clean.. menus are limited dh is fussy and me and the kids have allergies so we’d be having a plain dry baked potato if we went. But I really don’t feel comfortable. Latest idea was leaving me and the youngest home still taking the licker with them I still said no. It’s been the conversation every night for a fort night.

Am I mad? Is everyone just back to normal now? Would you take small children out to eat at the mo?

Suggest somewhere where you can all eat?

God knows where the 'of the above' link came from up there? It doesn't link to anything

I’ve just come in from dinner out with my DH and two DC so yes, I would. I think everyone should do what they’re comfortable with but not stop others as long as they’re acting within the rules. So let your DH go with the kids, you stay at home.

Why are you letting a child lick everything?

Are you actually interested at going and we could help with suggestions or are you just looking for obstacles?

Because the beach front cafe is irrelevant, frankly.

Take anti bacterial wipes if you are concerned.

My opinion is that you're uptight, OP.
Eating out sounds fraught stressful for you at all times so you need to go to outings for the company & celebration instead.

But I LIKE plain potato. So what do I know.

MIL wants what might be a rare meal out this year. There is no guarantee restaurants will stay open for much longer.
Maybe let your DH take the small DC & you stay home if you're sure you can't have fun.

I've eaten out several times and the tables have been well distanced and lots of safety measures in place.

I'm with you op, I could go out, I'm doing other things, but I honestly don't feel like eating out at the moment.

I've been out twice this week. Different places but both very well organised

Temperature and contact details taken on arrival
One way system through the restaurant
Staff all.wearing ppe
Masks worn by customers unless at the table
Contactless ordering via an app available
Tables all well spaced out
Payment Contactless

Far safer than any shop ive been in. Sounds like you need to choose a more suitable restaurant

YABU

I have been out with toddler who touches everything and sometimes licks things, and would go out again.

As far as I know any covid germs are killed stomach acid anyway and he’s put all manner of things - soil / sand / biscuits the dogs licked in his mouth before now so I figure the edge of a menu or high chair bar is fine.

Take anti bac wipes or baby wipes to wipes things down if you don’t feel comfortable (I used to do that pre-covid with high chairs anyway) but do go

I’m with your mil - perfectly reasonable to want to go out for a milestone. Most of the country has spent the last 5 months eating home cooked food at home so I would not this as a substitute to going out especially if it was for an occasion

Plus there us nothing on the tables for a toddler to lick. I have my own toddlers

@Nicknacky.. he’s not even two and doesn’t speak, understand his name, pointing or clapping.. he’ll lick anything he deems lickable like the flash and won’t understand no.

Called ahead hence knowing the menu that’s habit at this stage.. might as well take the spud n save a buck .

So take wipes. Or just don’t go.

But like I asked, do you actually want to go or are you looking for excuses?

Because I’ve taken my kids out since birth and not once did I worry about table licking.

I had lunch in a local pub the other day, fairly impressed with the staff distancing (the salt and pepper wrapped in cling film made me smile)but other customers - not. I ate in their "conservatory" so technically inside. Tables reasonably spaced but I was the only person who kept their mask on waiting for their food, and the four guys at the next table were clearly from four different families. Another group stood very close by my table to say their goodbyes , I felt like saying go and do that in the car park, but didn't.

It's true, hell is other people, and having seen the pictures today of the crowded beaches, no social distancing, no masking , then the handcarts can't be far away.......

Yes I would take young children out to eat (and I have), but if you don’t want to then don’t.

viques Certainly I’m in Scotland but there is certainly no require to to wear a mask when seated, do you have to where you are?

We've been taking the kids out to eat, including my boy with learning disabilities who likes to lick things. The tables etc have been clean but I take anti bac wipes as well just in case.
It's my birthday coming up soon and I want to go out to eat. I'm sick of home cooking and being indoors.

@viques

I had lunch in a local pub the other day, fairly impressed with the staff distancing (the salt and pepper wrapped in cling film made me smile)but other customers - not. I ate in their "conservatory" so technically inside. Tables reasonably spaced but I was the only person who kept their mask on waiting for their food, and the four guys at the next table were clearly from four different families. Another group stood very close by my table to say their goodbyes , I felt like saying go and do that in the car park, but didn't.

It's true, hell is other people, and having seen the pictures today of the crowded beaches, no social distancing, no masking , then the handcarts can't be far away.......

You don't have to wear a mask when seated

@Nicknacky

viques Certainly I’m in Scotland but there is certainly no require to to wear a mask when seated, do you have to where you are?

Makes sense to though, even if there is no requirement?

Yanbu. I’d just decline if I was you, then call round to see her after or invite her to pop in to you on way home for Prosecco or similar.

YABU, don't make excuses, it's probably better if you all don't go, you'll bring everyone down. Wouldn't want to dine in someone's home rather than go out to eat for my birthday because one party was fussy and paranoid.

I won't, however, go out here because I'm not giving them my contact details. I have already eaten out whilst abroad. It was fine.

YABU. Just that. And utterly joyless.

We will not go into buildings without masks, so no eating in restaurants. Lots of restaurants are offering really good takeaway right now. A place local to me has Even adjusted their menu to focus on dishes that can transport well. I would get a nice take out and eat at home.

GreyishDays Fair enough do that, I would rather enjoy my drink!

"@JBizz What allergies do you have that limit you to only eating dry baked potato. Awful to be allergic to soft potatoes"

This has tickled me immensely and given me the giggles 🤣