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Original poster

AIBU to think waitress should have been wearing mask?

106 replies

Lacto12 · 19/12/2021 22:34

We went out for my mothers 70th birthday meal today. The restaurant had special measures in place for social distancing but all the staff were walking around maskless. (Everyone else had to wear a mask when leaving the table etc)

AIBU to think this is wrong? The waitress we had was holding the plates directly under her chin and asking who’s meal was who’s etc. I am worried now as I am venerable and my mother is elderly! I know I should have left or said something at the time but it’s been sitting uncomfortably with me all night since I got back.

We don’t really go out much or do anything and was horribly ill with covid last year I can’t keep it out of my mind. Regretting going now! (All the other measures were in place)

OP posts:
LawnFever · 19/12/2021 22:37

Where are you? In England it’s not currently compulsory to wear masks in hospitality venues so they’ve done nothing wrong.

Bananarama21 · 19/12/2021 22:40

If you were that concerned you wouldn't have went out in the first place as a group we have been advised to limit social gatherings, you made a choice, they didn't do anything wrong they arent obligated to wear masks when working.

PanicPrevention · 19/12/2021 22:41

Maybe the waitress was exempt?
I work in a restaurant and measures are pretty lax to be honest, and we cant force exempt people to mask.
Wearing a mask for up to 12 hours a day in a hot stressful environment when you are face to face and having to talk to people all day is not too pleasant, I wear one but dont blame colleagues who would rather not.

TheVampiresWife · 19/12/2021 22:44

Masks aren't compulsory in hospitality settings. If you're vulnerable, perhaps going to crowded places where everyone (not just your waitress) is unmasked isn't for you - unless you've taken a calculated risk and are fine with it. It's not something I do at the moment, but if I chose to I certainly wouldn't be upset if my waitress was maskless.

EssexLioness · 19/12/2021 22:45

YABU. This is normal in restaurants as masks aren’t compulsory for staff. If you were so worried you should’ve done your research beforehand and not gone

Original poster
Lacto12 · 19/12/2021 22:47

Ok thanks I take it I am being unreasonable then! I know it was just a small meal for mums 70th as we have been hiding away for so long.

I didn’t realise that anyone serving food was exempt I thought all indoor spaces were now a requirement. Definitely wouldn’t have gone if we knew this and hopefully haven’t ended up catching it.

OP posts:
womaninatightspot · 19/12/2021 22:47

I work in a hotel and none of the staff wear masks.

Whywhywhy48 · 19/12/2021 22:47

Maybe she was exempt.

Original poster
Lacto12 · 19/12/2021 22:48

I wasn’t initially worried at all. Definitely am now and regretting it.

OP posts:
RedRobinRedbreast · 19/12/2021 22:49

Exempt as in the individual staff member may be exempt

But I would not be able anting to carry plates of food and drink with a face mask on either

Maybe you could all put a mask on til the food was placed in front of you?

Fullofpudding · 19/12/2021 22:49

It's not compulsory. Why go out with a 70 year old when covid levels are sky high and rocketing!

RedRobinRedbreast · 19/12/2021 22:50

Very irresponsible taking a 70 irate old out with rates as they are op

ANameChangeAgain · 19/12/2021 22:50

If she wasn't wearing a mask then she was probably exempt. Its amazing that it accepted that customers shouldn't be challenged in case of hidden disabilities, but servers are judged.

lynntheyresexswappers · 19/12/2021 22:51

Honestly the waitress is the least of your worries - why on earth take out a vulnerable 70 year old to a crowded restaurant if you're that concerned?!

IWasFunBeforeMum · 19/12/2021 22:51

If posters like you are so worried, why are you going to public restaurants?!??

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 19/12/2021 22:51

“I didn’t realise that anyone serving food was exempt I thought all indoor spaces were now a requirement.”

Why on earth would you think either of these things?!

Thatsplentyjack · 19/12/2021 22:53

@RedRobinRedbreast

Very irresponsible taking a 70 irate old out with rates as they are op
Well that was unnecessary.
Original poster
Lacto12 · 19/12/2021 22:54

None of the servers were so must be the management.

I disagree servers are serving food which they could contaminate by breathing and speaking over. This is why servers were required to wear them originally. There are lots of elderly that go to this restaurant and was lots today too.

OP posts:
RedRobinRedbreast · 19/12/2021 22:55

Haha I apologise for my typo there op!! I'm sure she wasn't 'irate'!

So sorry!

Beachbreak2411 · 19/12/2021 22:56

You are beyond unreasonable. If she doesn’t want to wear one she doesn’t have to. Have you tried running around an over heated restaurant carrying heavy trays and trying to breathe and talk. If you are that bothered wear a mask yourself and leave her alone.

RedRobinRedbreast · 19/12/2021 22:57

It's not the management....don't blame them! it's not covid rules. They aren't required by law to wear masks (yet)

Only retail so far I believe

Luredbyapomegranate · 19/12/2021 23:01

It’s not compulsory in England. Although some do and I think they should.

However, such short contact isn’t likely to be an issue (less than 15 mins of sub 1.5m contact didn’t count as close contact) so don’t worry about it.

skintasabint · 19/12/2021 23:02

I work in hospitality and we are not required to wear masks.
Even if we were some people are exempt.

While I understand that you're worried about your mum, it's not down to the waiting on staff to keep anyone healthy and covid free.

NeedsCharging · 19/12/2021 23:05

I agree with PPs if you are so worried why go out to a restaurant in the first place?

Flaxmeadow · 19/12/2021 23:10

YANBU
I've worked in retail/hospitality for a long time on and off. Part of the job is to take care of customers needs, especially the vulnerable and elderly.
Yes they should have worn masks IMO and most of my colleagues would agree. Why are they in the job if they can't be bothered to do it properly?

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