to think that some parents are just lazy and inconsiderate?

[LentilsRMe]

We went for tea yesterday at Wagamamas.

There was a family behind us, including 2 children - about 2 and 4 maybe.

I looked round after they had left and under the table they had left food, crayons, paper and two empty juice cartons.

I was a bit that they just left without even picking this all up off the floor.

Surely I am NBU?

[MadameDefarge]

It makes my skin crawl, whether as a diner or a waitress.

[IWantAChickAndADuck]

Street cleaners are paid to clean the streets - do you allow your children to just throw their rubbish on the floor?! Or do you teach them to put it in the bin?!

It's just plain rude to leave a pig sty behind - fair enough bits of food stuck to floor, but juice cups, crayons and paper?

Are you the people that go to friends houses, allow your children to turn the place upside down and then just leave without even apologising??

[MadameDefarge]

Look, stop them doing it in first place, by all means, if you can (but god I hate all that entertainment crap, of course it ends up on the floor!) but once its done, just leave it!

[MadameDefarge]

And actually, my ds is unbelievably neat and well-behaved...obviously a rogue gene..but I have worked with enough children to know that there are many kids of that age who just aren't developed enough to get the whole eating tidily, not making a mess thing. Thank you very much.

[scottishmummy]

nope,you digress too much.non comparable situations

restaurant social norm expectation is staff clear debris under table etc.certainly diner takes any portable rubbish away if can

debris in street - social norm expectation is dont throw rubbish.put in bin reinforce good habits

friend house - you are a guest. social norm expectation is dont make too much mess.offer help clean up,thank host

[IWantAChickAndADuck]

Not sure it's possible with a 7mo. There's no way I'd been leaving an almost whole bag of rice cakes scattered across the floor, not just because it's rude, but also it's unlikley that they've been purchased at the resturant we're eating at... like the OP said, there were juice cartons on the floor, wagamama don't even sell juice in cartons!

[MadameDefarge]

Thank you Sm for tackling that so proficiently (fancy a job in my caff?).

[herbgarden]

I always have a surface clear up before I leave anywhere - I have a baby of 8 months and DS of 3 years. It usually co-incides with a general survey of the table/underneath to make sure I've not forgotten anything, but like others, often quickly baby wipe any chewed/disgusting/mushed food and any packets/cartons I've brought with me and pick up any large debris from the floor and chuck them on one of their plates/in a cup for them to throw out. I think it's just good manners tbh and I know as a waitress my heart used to sink when I saw that kind of debris left for me to clear up...

[IWantAChickAndADuck]

Surely thats whats being debated here... whether it's social norm or not - IMHO it most definately isn't. Pick up your crap "reinforce good habits"

[MadameDefarge]

Iwantachick... please just leave them there! it is actually unbelievably unhygienic for you to pick them up! Catering establishments have a duty to maintain health and safety and that does not include leaving you to scrubble around on the floor after stray rice cakes! You are actually impeding them. If a health and Safety inspector were there, the establishment would get a rollicking for allowing you to do that!
By all mean have standards, in your home and when out and about, but be sensitive to others priorities!

[scottishmummy]

i love caffs.formica table,condiments on table.builders tea

i am a good tipper,because i don't have to clean up

[IWantAChickAndADuck]

Please explain Madame how it would impede them?

[MadameDefarge]

I am working on the components of my full breakfast offering as we speak...any ideas?

[Kayzr]

I would have picked up the juice cartons, crayons and paper. Not sure about the food. If there were lots of large bits then yes but not little bits.

[bibbitybobbityhat]

Oh I wouldn't fanny about picking things up off the floor! But it takes seconds to arrange what's left on the table on to one or two plates so the waiter can clear the table in one quick visit.

[Mumcentreplus]

...in a resturant..I dunno..depends how much mess..I almost always do a little clearing after eating but wouldn't judge a parent if the chose not to unless the resturant looked like a tornado just left...tis a job someone does...dropping litter is something different and should not be tolerated if there is no bin I put it in my hand-bag

[scottishmummy]

by all means gather stuff on table.dont fanny about on floor though

[MadameDefarge]

Because, as I explained before, they still have to wipe and clean properly according to h&s standards, if you are fannying around, you are just getting in the way and stopping them doing their job swiftly. Bums on seats means money, it might make you feel better to do all that, but it helps no one in the establishment. despite what some people say here. Sure its annoying when kids make a mess, but fgs let us clear it up quickly and properly! And stop smearing shit from shoes all over the place!

[MadameDefarge]

Absolutely, bibbit, organise the table, usually appreciated muchly! BUT LEAVE THE GACK ON THE FLOOR!

[AngryFromManchester]

it is ridiculously common to bend over on all fours under the table in a full restaraunt, esp when children are present

[bibbitybobbityhat]

lol at all the fannying on this thread

[mayl]

I can't believe that some consider it acceptable to chuck / drop juice cartons on the floor and leave it 'because that's why you are paying'. More importantly what message is this sending to your DC. Littering is littering regardless of the environment.

It will probably be your children that are chucking their rubbish in the car park at MacDonald?s after their takeaway. Is that acceptable 'because they paid for it'?? and a proportion of that cost goes to the member of staff wages who will have to pick that up?

Food etc, esp. with younger children is inevitable and I would leave unless I felt it was excessive.

[stealthsquiggle]

I would probably pick up juice cartons (how did they get there?) and possibly paper/crayons, but DD + chopsticks = food on floor, and no I wouldn't pick it up. It would be doing half a job and the floor would still need sweeping, so what would be the point?

I would always tidy up anything we had brought in (toys, wipes, etc) though.

[scottishmummy]

and any catering establishment would be reprimanded if public caught fanny about on floor gathering debris

catering need up to date food handling cert
up to date coshh and h&s training
yellow hazard sign
appropriate protective equipment

they don't need some well meaning mammy.yes it would impede other staff
put off diners (id find it excruciating)

[MadameDefarge]

ah, yes, to fanny or not to fanny, that is the question....