AIBU to ask a mum not to put her toddler on the counter

[saltyshakey]

Today a mum with a toddler was in a cafe and went to the counter to pay. She was carrying the toddler and popped the toddler on the counter as she got her purse. I said I’d feel a bit more comfortable if she took her off. She did so but then I heard her talking to her friend about how rude I was. WIBU?

Was the toddler standing up or sitting down? If standing I could understand maybe about dirty shoes but otherwise I'm not sure what the issue is?

Why does this make you uncomfortable?

Who are you in this perry scenario

He could’ve fallen and he could’ve been sat anywhere in anything earlier. Toddlers often sit on the floor in the park etc, so could’ve had all sorts of germs on his clothes.

Not unreasonable at all - I wouldn’t sit a toddler on a counter. It’s bad manners.

You are right. The toddler should not be on the counter. It’s dangerous, unhygienic and plain ill-mannered.

Were you worried about the child falling? I can't imagine it was a hygiene issue as you wouldn't be eating your food off the counter presumably. Did you give her a reason why you weren't comfortable?

Is it your cafe?

Unless you work there then yes, YABU.

Do you work at the cafe? If not you shouldn’t have said anything.

Do you work there?
Was he sitting or standing??
I can’t really see what the issue is with perching a small child on the payment counter for 3 minutes while she stood next to him and paid? The alternative possibly being him running around and getting in the way.

Could have been seriously grim if she was wearing a dirty nappy - or if she picked that very moment to unload.

Place marking to see whether the op works at said cafe or has plumbed new depths of mumsnet weirdness...

Totally agree.

A reasonable request if you work there.

And yet people post pics all the time showing staff smiling,talking to and giving treats to their dogs standing up with their dirty paws on the counter.

Better sitting in the counter than running around while mum pays the bill. I can't see the issue here. We all sit on chairs that other people have sat on, so an exploding nappy situation would be gross wherever it occurred. Presumably your food is on a tray and the child wasn't sitting on one of those.
Maybe just worry about your own stuff and let mum mind her own child?

I wouldn't want anyone's bum on my worktop or counter.

Bums (whether they belong to children or adults) do not belong on kitchen tables, counter tops or anywhere that food is also likely to be. I can't believe why anyone would think they do.

This is a total non-issue. Keep your beak out.

Assuming you own the cafe, it’s a perfectly reasonable request.

This. Otherwise weird.

It was clothing, not a bare arse cheek.

🙊