Page 14 | Would you give me the replacement chips?

Houseofdrums · 2026-05-15T17:22:59+00:00

Im with a group of mum friends at a food court. We all go off to different kiosks. Order our food. We find an available table. I order from a Thai cuisine, a noodle dish and some chips for the little one. I pick up the food, put toddler in highchair, put the chips infront of her. I’m about to take my first serving of noodles and baby kicks the chips all over the floor. The chips cost £5. One of the mums says that it’s been less than 5 mins and they didn’t touch the chips, I should be able to ask for a replacement. So I go to the kiosk, politely explain that I was just here and the baby annoyingly dropped all the chips. I show them the picture (we are sitting on the other end of the food court). They say no. But I plead a little bit - I do have a soft voice so I’m being nice. Then they go on and on about how every mum will be asking for freebies. I should pay for another one. And I should go to another one of their stores who would provide me free chips. Turns out she was also the manager. I worked in waitressing many years ago, and honestly, we would have just given a portion of chips. Id be hesitant if it was the whole meal - but a couple of chips for a baby? Was I being unreasonable?

Tshirtking · 16/05/2026 09:32

Why does the company have to pay for your parenting mistakes? Give them one or a few chips at a time. Giving them the whole thing is just asking for problems.

Original poster

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:35

SwatTheTwit · 16/05/2026 08:56

While I don’t think some cheap chips are a big issue, it’s also not the worker’s problem that your child launched them away.

It really depends on the workplace. DD has worked a couple hospitality jobs where the managers were absolutely anal about stock, so I’d imagine there you’d get a “no” too.

I understand.

They are a chain, but I understand each store probably has their own budget etc.

I just know when I worked in that field I would have said yes. And it would have come from goodwill.

But I cannot assume everyone would act like me.

OP posts:

Original poster

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:37

Applecup · 16/05/2026 07:44

£25 for some noodles and chips? You were robbed. Should have spent your money on something better value and nutritious.

I agree. Eating out is overpriced these days.

Most of the kiosks were fried foods and pizzas. Most of them had reduced menus too.

OP posts:

Nothinglikeagoodbook · 16/05/2026 09:37

You keep saying you "understand" or you "get it", but that’s obviously not true or you wouldn't have added insult to injury by going out of your way to get the person who refused to give in to your entitled and unreasonable demand into trouble.

Can you not see what 97% of respondents think of you?

youalright · 16/05/2026 09:39

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:35

I understand.

They are a chain, but I understand each store probably has their own budget etc.

I just know when I worked in that field I would have said yes. And it would have come from goodwill.

But I cannot assume everyone would act like me.

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The staff serving you aren't allowed to make these decisions its not their stock to just give out. They will have been told previously whether this is something they can or can't do. Where I work we replace if something is broken right then but not if they left the building and come back 5 minutes later. But this isn't a decision I am making personally as I don't own the company these are the rules we are given

Original poster

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:41

Whaleandsnail6 · 16/05/2026 07:52

You were driven by the thought of a hungry child? There was other options than asking for free food...and then not taking no for an answer.

You could have bought more chips if you were so desperate to feed them to your kid

I don't understand why you and your friends think an accident with the food, that is no way the food counters fault, is theirs to be out of pocket for.

If you and lo had enjoyed the chips, but was then still hungry after only 5 minutes of buying them and wanted more, would you expect a second portion for free? From the food vendors experience, there is no difference in you spilling the food and eating the food, so why is it their problem to sort?

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But there is a difference between spilling the food and eating the food …

Thats why in past experience, and the experience of others on this thread, when someone spills their food or it drops - a replacement is given out of goodwill.

But I guess goodwill only applies if you do not ask … for whatever reason.

OP posts:

ruethewhirl · 16/05/2026 09:42

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 03:42

Thanks for your replies. I wouldn’t have normally asked.

If you don’t ask you don’t get. I usually bring home made lunch, but I’d been out with baby since 10am. This happened at around 8pm, by then had ran out of packed food and when we are out I tend to stick with chips.

Super interesting reading the very judgy comments. But I guess this is MN.

Funnily enough when I worked in retail (a decade ago) we had “well-off” clients. There was a shoe priced at £900 and the customer asked, if her and her friend bought a pair each, could they have it for half price. I asked my manager, she said yes - to my surprise.

On that day I learned - if you don’t ask the answer is always no.

Anyways - an update - I complained via email to HQ, as the woman was actually incredibly rude too and I got a full refund.

Ah, 'If you don't ask you don't get'. The mantra of CFs everywhere.

Original poster

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:42

OneFunBrickNewt · 16/05/2026 07:59

If you sold your house, and the new owners knocked it down by mistake, would you replace it?

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High valued item - rules are bit different …

OP posts:

Original poster

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:45

Anewuser · 16/05/2026 07:52

Not the point of the thread…but your child is no longer a baby so stop calling her a baby. Once they reach a year old, they’re then a toddler or child.

You’re not a young mum if you’re mid 30s, in fact you’re closer to being a geriatric mum (giving birth after 35).

And, who keeps their child out that late, where they’re eating at 8pm before a long car journey home when they’re then feeding their child rice and spinach stew before bed?

Someone with abit of a life …

We don’t all have anal routines.

And I don’t understand why so many are assuming this is a reflection of my whole life.

Anyway - I get it, when you become a mum you should surrender your life and routine to the needs of your child, and not be up past 6pm🙄

There were plenty of families and buggies still out there- I live in a busy city.

OP posts:

ComfyKnickers · 16/05/2026 09:47

Just when I think entitlement can't get any worse.

I agree wirh a PP, you were refunded to make you shut up and go away.

I'm a bit embarrassed for you.

7238SM · 16/05/2026 09:50

Thats why in past experience, and the experience of others on this thread, when someone spills their food or it drops - a replacement is given out of goodwill

The vast majority, if not ALL those that have had a replacement drink etc were sitting within a cafe/restaurant in view of staff. Not in a large, open food court and sitting far away from the actual kiosk!

Dogladyloveswine · 16/05/2026 09:54

That's some serious NECK.

Shatteredallthetimelately · 16/05/2026 09:56

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 09:41

But there is a difference between spilling the food and eating the food …

Thats why in past experience, and the experience of others on this thread, when someone spills their food or it drops - a replacement is given out of goodwill.

But I guess goodwill only applies if you do not ask … for whatever reason.

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From your OP....

I’m about to take my first serving of noodles and baby kicks the chips all over the floor.

But in this case your DC didn't spill the food, they "kicked the chips over the floor"

CarelessWimper · 16/05/2026 09:58

Seriously unreasonable cheeky fucker and if the waitress was rude it was probably because you were mad and not as nice and sweet as you think you were.

LaburnumAnagyroides · 16/05/2026 09:59

But I cannot assume everyone would act like me.

Have a medal for being so lovely that you would give away your employer's profit margins. While simultaneously emailing a company over your own stupidity and entitlement to get a minimum wage worker in trouble.

ThriveAT · 16/05/2026 10:03

It's not their problem at all.

Itiswhatitizz · 16/05/2026 10:08

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 04:43

I didn’t write it all in my OP, but she was rude.

I think she thought I was a young mum looking to take the piss. And I get it. I’m mid 30s, but still get ID’d so I don’t blame her.

I won’t go into exactly what she said, but she clearly made some assumptions from the monologue she decided to give me.

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Buy you were looking to take the piss 😅 that's why you went up and asked for free chips, with a picture for proof

When I read your OP I was wondering if it was your attitude or expectation that made her refuse. It sounds like you immediately expected a freebie

A few months ago my 11 year old dropped her hot chocolate at a cafe. I went to the counter and asked for something to clean it up, said she'd just dropped it, can I order a new one ( had my card out ready ) and they gave her a new hot chocolate for free. I suspect if I went up expecting a free replacement, I wouldn't of got it

DedododoDedadada · 16/05/2026 10:14

What I don't get is if you are in a busy city with plenty of options and also food prepared at home, why go to somewhere expensive without suitable options in the first place.

TheignT · 16/05/2026 10:20

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 03:42

Thanks for your replies. I wouldn’t have normally asked.

If you don’t ask you don’t get. I usually bring home made lunch, but I’d been out with baby since 10am. This happened at around 8pm, by then had ran out of packed food and when we are out I tend to stick with chips.

Super interesting reading the very judgy comments. But I guess this is MN.

Funnily enough when I worked in retail (a decade ago) we had “well-off” clients. There was a shoe priced at £900 and the customer asked, if her and her friend bought a pair each, could they have it for half price. I asked my manager, she said yes - to my surprise.

On that day I learned - if you don’t ask the answer is always no.

Anyways - an update - I complained via email to HQ, as the woman was actually incredibly rude too and I got a full refund.

Good for you. What would a few chips cost and how much is customer goodwill worth? Even if they won't give a few chips no reason to be rude.

raspberrieswithchocolate · 16/05/2026 10:27

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 04:43

I didn’t write it all in my OP, but she was rude.

I think she thought I was a young mum looking to take the piss. And I get it. I’m mid 30s, but still get ID’d so I don’t blame her.

I won’t go into exactly what she said, but she clearly made some assumptions from the monologue she decided to give me.

Show quote history

It's not your age that gave her the impression that you're a CF. Your age doesn't matter, none of us have seen you but you've given posters here the same poor impression.

You keep saying you get it but you don't seem to get anything about this. It's your unbelievably cheeky, entitled behaviour that has given everyone a poor impression of you. Yes, staff often give free replacements but they usually witness the mishap and the customer's attitude and behaviour is key as to whether they get offered a free replacement or not.

People who behave like you did in this situation are not the sort of customers that staff are happy to offer free replacements to.

Then, when you didn't get your own way, you complained about her. Yep, it's not what age you appear to be that's the problem here.

WaitingForSomeone · 16/05/2026 10:32

Houseofdrums · 16/05/2026 03:42

Thanks for your replies. I wouldn’t have normally asked.

If you don’t ask you don’t get. I usually bring home made lunch, but I’d been out with baby since 10am. This happened at around 8pm, by then had ran out of packed food and when we are out I tend to stick with chips.

Super interesting reading the very judgy comments. But I guess this is MN.

Funnily enough when I worked in retail (a decade ago) we had “well-off” clients. There was a shoe priced at £900 and the customer asked, if her and her friend bought a pair each, could they have it for half price. I asked my manager, she said yes - to my surprise.

On that day I learned - if you don’t ask the answer is always no.

Anyways - an update - I complained via email to HQ, as the woman was actually incredibly rude too and I got a full refund.

Just because you got given a refund doesn't mean you were in the right, this is known as the go away refund, as it's easier than dealing with rude customers.
She was probably just the server, it's not her job to decide whether you get given free chips for not being careful enough.

Yes it would've been a nice gesture if they'd given you free chips, but they are not obligated to. The fact you even messaged hq about some 5 quid chips is a bit ridiculous, you will be known as the problem customer so I wouldn't go back.

andthat · 16/05/2026 10:32

Chips aside, you are being unreasonable for constantly referring to your two year old as a baby.

TheignT · 16/05/2026 10:36

LaburnumAnagyroides · 16/05/2026 09:59

But I cannot assume everyone would act like me.

Have a medal for being so lovely that you would give away your employer's profit margins. While simultaneously emailing a company over your own stupidity and entitlement to get a minimum wage worker in trouble.

Why would the manager be on minimum wage?

MyCrushWithEyeliner · 16/05/2026 10:41

Brown rice and spinach stew 😂

liveforsummer · 16/05/2026 10:41

Of course you have who pay for your chips - it was your dc who spilled them. it’s irrelevant how long you’d had them. If the staff had dropped or knocked your chips then in that circumstance they’d need to replace but that isn’t what happened. I work in a a
Pub and you frequently get people who knock their full drink over on the bar then expect another! In mumsnet slang CF behaviour!