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AIBU?

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Original poster

Using a potty in a restaurant

165 replies

BonnieBo · 04/01/2022 14:31

Went to a gastro pub over the Christmas break, quite a large open area where say 20 tables all in one room.

In the middle of this room, a couple having lunch had their toddler sitting on a potty, no trousers on. Clearly in early stages of potty training as the girl was sat their for ages (20+ mins), then the dad picked up the potty and carted it off to the toilets.

Is this not a bit much for a restaurant?

OP posts:
AnotherSillawithanS · 04/01/2022 14:32

Wtf

LampLighter414 · 04/01/2022 14:34

Discustang!!

WorraLiberty · 04/01/2022 14:34

It's disgusting.

I would've expected the staff to deal with that. Did they not?

Lottapianos · 04/01/2022 14:34

Good god almighty. Some people think the entire world is their own front room. That's just disgusting

Oldraver · 04/01/2022 14:34

Totally inappropriate, I wouldn't want to see that as I'm eating

Thatsplentyjack · 04/01/2022 14:34

Disgusting!

Samcro · 04/01/2022 14:35

disgusting. I hope you complained.

Hospedia · 04/01/2022 14:35

It's grim and there is no need for it. If a child isn't able to hold it for long enough to get a toilet then they aren't ready for the leaving the house witjout a nappy/pull up stage of potty training. Personally I never needed to take a potty out with as I didn't see a need but its horses for courses and some people do prefer to take the potty out, they should be taking it into the toilets to use it though.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 04/01/2022 14:38

Yes that's grim.

Its rubbish when they are just learning but it's only a couple of weeks generally before they have slightly more than a seconds notice. They had loads of other options -

Stay at home
Take toddler to the toilet before and during the meal
Delay potty training for a few days
Use a pull up as a one off
Ask staff to be seated near the toilet

Just lazy not taking any of these actions!

Original poster
BonnieBo · 04/01/2022 14:38

Ok - glad to know I am indeed entirely reasonable.

My friend I was with shrugged it off - and the staff seemed oblivious (hence why I was wondering if I was being particularly sensitive).

I should have told them myself, but felt awkward about ‘confronting’ a stranger in public as it’s not really my style in general…!

OP posts:
cadburyegg · 04/01/2022 14:39

YANBU it's vile, I have potty trained 2 kids and have never done this. If they are in a restaurant and can't wait the 2 minutes it takes to get them to the nearby toilet then they aren't ready for training

mbosnz · 04/01/2022 14:41

That is not okay.

Ozanj · 04/01/2022 14:41

This seems like lazy parenting to me. I can’t imagine using a potty in the middle of a restaurant as there would be toilets to use. You should complain to the manager to ensure it isn’t allowed again.

Hospedia · 04/01/2022 14:42

It's not just awful for other people having to sit there next to someone using the toilet, it's not at all dignified for child.

Shiningpath · 04/01/2022 14:42

Disgusting. I would have made sure the staff were no longer oblivious.

MarshmallowFondant · 04/01/2022 14:44

Inappropriate and they should have been directed to the bathroom.

I know the word "selfish" has been vastly overused in the past 2 years, but this sort of behaviour really is.

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 04/01/2022 14:44

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Rno3gfr · 04/01/2022 14:44

That’s disgusting. I’ve had difficulty training my son who has now just turned 3. He’s finally starting to get the hang of it. I would take him to the toilet and sit him there for 10 minutes and keep trying through the meal. It’s just what you have to do, if he has an accident then it’s not pleasant but it’s not his fault and people would be understanding. You can treat a restaurant like a public toilet. Also, the child clearly isn’t ready to be without a pull up in public (or at all) if they have to sit the child on it constantly.

I probably wouldn’t say anything but I would fire them dirty looks. I would have probably mentioned it to the staff.

Rno3gfr · 04/01/2022 14:45

*you can’t treat a restaurant like a public toilet 😂

MerryChristmas21 · 04/01/2022 14:46

As it was a tiny child I wouldn't be bothered, other than I'd feel sorry for her sitting on an uncomfortable potty for 20 minutes.

It's not something I'd do in a restaurant though.

Santaisstilleatingmincepies · 04/01/2022 14:46

Then you call the manager over.. They need to throw them out. They can eat Al fresco. Or at home.

BDavis · 04/01/2022 14:47

I thought it was bad enough when a had a woman sit her child on a potty and encourage her to do the toilet in the middle of the card and gift shop I was managing at the time 🙄 this was in protest to me not allowing them to use the toilet in my staff room. But the middle of a restaurant is pretty grim BlushConfused

WorraLiberty · 04/01/2022 14:47

@BonnieBo

Ok - glad to know I am indeed entirely reasonable.

My friend I was with shrugged it off - and the staff seemed oblivious (hence why I was wondering if I was being particularly sensitive).

I should have told them myself, but felt awkward about ‘confronting’ a stranger in public as it’s not really my style in general…!

Errrm no, you should've had a polite word with the staff.
Gothcovid · 04/01/2022 14:47

Not on at all.
I would have made a scene by pointing it out and being very audible with my disgust.

IndigoToo · 04/01/2022 14:48

A gastro pub… fitting.