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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you give me the replacement chips?

536 replies

Houseofdrums · 15/05/2026 18:22

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?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
SnappyUmberLion · 15/05/2026 19:14

DoYouLikeYourNaneFred · 15/05/2026 18:56

That's a bit extreme!

Babies aren't cheap to buy!

Show quote history

A less clumsy baby would soon pay for itself!

Sasha07 · 15/05/2026 19:15

You paid for chips, they gave you the chips. Accept some responsibility, shit happens, no one owes you more than you paid for.

budgiegirl · 15/05/2026 19:15

It would be nice if they had replaced the chips, but they definitely don't have to, it probably goes against their policy, and I would never even think to ask - in fact, I'd be embarrassed to ask, as I know it's my error, not theirs. Why is it their responsibility that your child kicked their chips on the floor?

That said, I work in a coffee shop, and couple of times an elderly customer has knocked over their coffee before even starting to drink it. Both times, we have quickly cleared up and replaced the coffee for free. Both times the customer was very grateful, a bit embarrassed, and offered to pay for the new coffee. They certainly didn't expect it.

But perhaps the difference is that we are a small independent family owned coffee shop, who relies heavily on regular business and a good name. It's not quite the same as a food court where they didn't witness the food being spilt. I can't see it happening in a McDonalds for example, a few minutes after the sale - perhaps if it happened at the till in front of them they might.

Beachtastic · 15/05/2026 19:16

That bab is the one being unreasonable 😁

Whataflippincircus · 15/05/2026 19:17

You’re a CF for even asking.

Notabarbie · 15/05/2026 19:17

I have questions.

Is this the first time your baby has kicked a plate over?

How did you discover the lady you spoke to was the manager?

What does your friend's opinion have to do with anything?

Why can't your baby eat Thai food?

SallyRabbit · 15/05/2026 19:18

I think this was a fair request. The chips don’t cost £5 - a big chunk of the price is to pay for staff, venue etc. And she had paid that the first time. I have been in cafes and restaurants that have provided free replacements when children drop things and I completely agree they should have given OP the chips.

Figgygal · 15/05/2026 19:19

Of course they don't owe you anything

stichguru · 15/05/2026 19:19

Nope that's rude. You ask for a replacement when the waiter drops the food. When you or your child drop the food you pay for a replacement. In a cafe or restaurant, where the waiter would have seen your baby drop the chips, they might have offered to give you new ones free, because you're a valued customer and one kids portion of chips costs pennies whereas the whole amount your table is bringing in (assuming 2 adults and 2 kids at least) is probably way more, but in a food court no way!

Yetone · 15/05/2026 19:21

74username52 · 15/05/2026 19:09

A bany eating chips..? Only in the UK.

Exactly.

WilfredsPies · 15/05/2026 19:21

Why would you put a portion of anything in front of a child who’s young enough to be kicking things? And did you keep the soft voice on after they said no? Or did you go back to your normal voice and give them all a laugh?

This reminds me of that sign that was doing the rounds a little while ago saying that if the seagulls took a customer’s food after they bought it, there would be no refunds because the seagulls did not work for them.

ilovepixie · 15/05/2026 19:22

I work in the food industry and the amount of people wanting a few chips or a piece of bread for free as it’s only for a child ! People want more and more without paying for it.

Lordofthebantams · 15/05/2026 19:24

Why didn't you give them noodles rather than chips? Get them into a range of flavours and textures young.

purplecorkheart · 15/05/2026 19:29

Not sure why you expected a free replacement. You ordered chips, you were given chips, you paid for chips. Your transaction was over. The restaurant had completed their transaction with you. If it is a food court the highchair is not likely under their control and if your toddler was able to kick it enough to send chips flying you had either not secured the top correctly or your child was too big for the highchair.

Look at it another way if you child was in their carpet and you put the chips in their hands and they dropped them would you still expect the restaurant to replace?

C152 · 15/05/2026 19:29

Yes. Why would you think you should get a free second portion? It's not their fault your child kicked their food on the floor.

GinaandGin · 15/05/2026 19:29

The entitlement!!!
If I go into a cafe and spill my coffee ... it's up to me to

  1. Tidy what I can of the mess up
  2. Pay for a new coffee
Honestly... CF er
CatamaranViper · 15/05/2026 19:29

I probably would have said
"I'm so sorry, my baby I just sent my chips flying! Do you have a spare dustpan and brush so I can sweep them up?"

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 15/05/2026 19:29

I’d always thought it was a given that you largely put any spillable food/drink out of reach of babies/toddlers - especially any drinks in the case of my Gds until he was at least 4.

TBH it wouldn’t have occurred to me to expect a 2nd portion for free.

Zanatdy · 15/05/2026 19:30

Of course they shouldn’t give you another portion for free. Pretty rude to ask.

ThePineapplePicker · 15/05/2026 19:36

I’ve heard of the 5 second rule but your friend was setting you up with 5 minute rule.

If I scarf down my chips in less than 5 mins would I get another free portion?

Growlybear83 · 15/05/2026 19:36

🤣🤣🤣. How on earth can you think you weren’t being incredibly unreasonable? It’s not the kiosk’s fault that your toddler threw their food on the floor.

tinyladybird · 15/05/2026 19:38

Why did they say another one of their stores would give you the free chips?

Namingbaba · 15/05/2026 19:41

I feel bad for you as it’s hard juggling young children and food sometimes as they’re so clumsy. I think it’s ok to ask but I wouldn’t think unreasonable of them to say no.

KilkennyCats · 15/05/2026 19:42

Of course they shouldn’t have replaced the chips.

Repeatedly asking in a soft, gentle voice sounds bloody annoying as well.

TerfOnATrain · 15/05/2026 19:43

Your child objected to being given a plate of shit. Listen to them. A plate of chips is not a good meal. And I’m chilled over food.

You are completely and utterly taking the piss to expect someone else to cover the cost.

All on You.