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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
zingally · 04/01/2022 14:48

Yuck!!

I get that potty training is a pain, but clearly this is a child who isn't ready to be out of pull-ups/nappies in public yet!

Notimeforaname · 04/01/2022 14:48

Fucking hell!! What is wrong with people.

Hospedia · 04/01/2022 14:48

I wouldn't have made a scene or loudly pointed it out but I would have had a quiet word with a member of staff and ask to be moved.

pigsDOfly · 04/01/2022 14:49

Horrendous.

There's not a lot of different in allowing a child to sit on a potty in the middle of a restaurant than an adult sitting on a commode in the same situation and I'd pretty sure no one would tolerate that.

Figgygal · 04/01/2022 14:50

Madness
Id have complained to the staff

gogohm · 04/01/2022 14:51

Inappropriate, as is outside (unless in bushes) in supermarket aisle (not kidding!) in kids play area with toilets right there ... I potty trained 2 including one with sen and never took a potty out even

Fredstheteds · 04/01/2022 14:53

Nope

Nietzschethehiker · 04/01/2022 14:54

Bloody hell. I am usually in the camp of giving some leeway to parents with young children because we all know it's really hard and easy to get caught up in that little world doing something that's a bit insane but that's way too far.

Tricky though to say anything I get that. I wouldn't have been overly happy about it definitely.

girlmom21 · 04/01/2022 14:56

It's not something I'd do (obviously) but it's not something that would offend me either.

I certainly wouldn't be confronting the parents or loudly proclaiming my disgust as some have mentioned - that's not going to help the child learning to use the potty.

CrazyCatLover · 04/01/2022 14:57

That’s awful. How unhygienic. I would have expected the staff to deal with it. It would’ve totally put me off eating 🤢

WorraLiberty · 04/01/2022 14:58

@girlmom21 I think it's more a case of disgust than offence, especially when eating.

CurzonDax · 04/01/2022 15:03

You should have spoken to a member of staff. An appropriate member of staff should then have spoken to the parents.

How full was the restaurant? I am genuinely surprised that nobody did this.

BeLessMe · 04/01/2022 15:09

I really hope the parents are on MN and come to post about how little Archie/Annie are just learning, how it’s totally acceptable and how we are all judgemental dicks before flouncing off Grin

I was once serving someone at a customer service desk when she whipped out a potty and placed it on the floor for her toddler. I was Hmm but young and childless so wasn’t sure if it was just me that thought it gross. Not something I ever felt the need to do with mine when I had DC though.

girlmom21 · 04/01/2022 15:12

[quote WorraLiberty]@girlmom21 I think it's more a case of disgust than offence, especially when eating.[/quote]
If somethings disgusting it's offensive, no?
It wouldn't disgust me. It wouldn't bother me.

HeronLanyon · 04/01/2022 15:16

Not ok at all. What were the restaurant staff (I have been one in my time - my fave job I always think) doing not getting them to a toilet pronto and not apologising to all tables etc. Really awful !

isitfree · 04/01/2022 15:16

Dear God! Some parents think their little darlings own the bloody world!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 04/01/2022 15:17

Absolutely disgusting! And what did they do, just leave hearsay there for 20 mins while they carried on with their meal? That’s ridiculously lazy and selfish.

A parent should have got up and taken her to the loo when she needed to go.

Georgeskitchen · 04/01/2022 15:18

Bleugh 🤮🤮 at least take child and potty into the toilets!!

SailingNotSurfing · 04/01/2022 15:19

Poor kid, imagine growing up knowing your parents encouraged you to sit on the potty in public. Shock

I would have called the couple out on this, in the same way as I would if I saw someone changing a nappy in a dining area.

I am surprised the staff didn't say anything, but perhaps they were so busy they didn't have time to address it. My friends who work in catering and hospitality are rushed off their feet, and I would imagine a potty using toddler wouldn't be a priority right now.

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 04/01/2022 15:19

@girlmom21

It's not something I'd do (obviously) but it's not something that would offend me either.

I certainly wouldn't be confronting the parents or loudly proclaiming my disgust as some have mentioned - that's not going to help the child learning to use the potty.

But it's not my concern whether theur kid is potty trained or not...

What about the kid's dignity??

Also I don't want to eat when someone is evacuating their bowels a couple of metres away..

Utterly lazy people... Poor kid

480Widdio · 04/01/2022 15:19

How revolting!! Used to have a friend who always had a potty in her kitchen,often full! I had always just eaten when I visited.

I would have complained to the Staff.

girlmom21 · 04/01/2022 15:20

@IamtheDevilsAvocado no, it's not your concern, and it's not very sanitary, but basically telling the poor child they're disgusting isn't a great approach is it.

MouseholeCat · 04/01/2022 15:20

This is gross, but also surely counterproductive to teach the child that it's an appropriate place to go?! I can't believe nobody alerted the staff.

Suzi888 · 04/01/2022 15:21

Grim

EyesAsGreenAsAFreshPickledToad · 04/01/2022 15:25

Ffs, there could have been a paedo in the pub, getting a kick out of it seeing that.
Are children not entitled to some dignity?

Also the smell when you’re trying to eat would be vile.

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