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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:
Ridiculousradish · 20/12/2021 00:15

I also do not think it it my responsibility to wear a mask to "protect" the customers.

Ridiculousradish · 20/12/2021 00:17

@carrythecan I completely agree. It's nonsense.

Flaxmeadow · 20/12/2021 00:20

...My job and clientele sound very different to yours

That's just as well, because we wouldn't employ you with that attitude

BungleandGeorge · 20/12/2021 00:21

The vast majority of people in a restaurant aren’t going to be masked and the tables aren’t distanced anymore. I wouldn’t personally worry more about the waiters than the other customers.

HeddaGarbled · 20/12/2021 00:21

The waitress we had was holding the plates directly under her chin

You won’t catch COVID from your food. You get it from breathing in contaminated air.

Staff wearing masks could help to reduce, but not eliminate, the contamination in the air, but being in an indoor space with other people for a long period of time is the biggest risk factor here.

A really important way of reducing the risk, if you insist on being in an indoor space for a long period of time with other people, is ventilation. How was that?

TheHoptimist · 20/12/2021 00:39

@50ShadesOfCatholic

Not sure why so may posters are being so rude.

It's a legitimate question.

If customers are expected to wear masks when not seated it makes no sense that wait staff don't wear them while walking around.

What makes you think that customers have to wear one when not seated?
HowRudeolfYou · 20/12/2021 00:53

I totally understand you and your mother wanting to get out, especially if you've been shielding for a large part of the last 18 months. I totally get the wanting a break from hiding away and there's been parts where I've been very anxious about catching it.

I'm much less scared now and did start doing a few things like trip to the cinema and meals out but we'd try to reduce the chances of my picking it up by choosing less busy times, trying to get a table near am open window or outdoors if weather is nice. Sometimes we just got nice takeouts instead.

I have to say OP, even with staff wearing masks, I would not be in a restaurant on the last weekend before Xmas. Especially with all the warnings about it Omicron rising and being much more transmissible, it would be sitting in a room with other customers for so long, that would worry me, not the few moments it takes to place an order or hand you a plate. Masks reduce the chances of passing it to you, as does social distancing but it will not make the room "covid free" and as most people will only be wearing them when going to the bar.

I hope your meal was lovely and fingers crossed it will all be ok.

Hyppogriff · 20/12/2021 01:05

If you’re uncomfortable you shouldn’t be out… sorry

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 20/12/2021 02:44

@Luredbyapomegranate

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.

Er, hello -omicron? You’re so 2020 😉
MiddleParking · 20/12/2021 03:07

Your mum’s so vulnerable you took her for dinner the weekend before Christmas and couldn’t be arsed googling the rules? Aww.

50ShadesOfCatholic · 20/12/2021 03:13

@TheHoptimist

Read the OP for your answer

TicTacHoh · 20/12/2021 03:23

Yabu

Hazelnutbean · 20/12/2021 07:51

@EssexLioness

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
Legally perhaps, but given there's a general legal mandate to wear masks in indoor spaces, and waitresses aren't magically immune, it doesn't make any sense for a waitresses not to wear masks.

Either masks are necessary, or they're not.
But as the Government has mandate that they are, it's not unreasonable at all to expect people to wear them, especially those serving you, particularly given how transmissible Omicron seems to be.

rookiemere · 20/12/2021 08:19

She should have been wearing a mask, but with Omicron may not make much of a difference, also depends very much on what type of mask. If it's a dirty old rag that's been worn for weeks, or a disposable one that's been reused a few times, it's going to offer very little in the way of protection.

Agree with others I'm afraid, if you're concerned about catching covid or vulnerable, then indoor meals should have been off the agenda from at least a fortnight ago.

MrsSkylerWhite · 20/12/2021 08:22

In your circumstances, having been hiding away for so long, this really isn’t the time to start going out again.

CEV husband, we take every precaution sensible for us and wouldn’t set foot in a restaurant atm. Just not a good idea, masked staff or otherwise.

DailyFailstinks · 20/12/2021 08:26

Masks aren’t compulsory in restaurants so, no, she shouldn’t have to wear one Hmm

ElectraBlue · 20/12/2021 08:29

She is likely to be exempt. In which case her employer could not force her to wear a mask.

If that bothered why didn't you simply ask for another member of staff to be assigned to your table, explaining that you had vulnerable people with you?

Or simply leave and find another restaurant if the switch was not possible?

Complaining after the event is not going to achieve anything.

Whammyyammy · 20/12/2021 08:29

She doesn't have to wear a mask, so why should she? Because you think she should!

If you're that worried, stop going out to restaurants etc and let the rest of us that are living our lives and adhering to current guidance carry on.

DailyFailstinks · 20/12/2021 08:30

[quote Lacto12]@RedRobinRedbreast yes, no one was allowed to leave the table without a mask or even enter the restaurant without one.. Could only take it off when sat at the table. Signs everywhere.[/quote]
Are you not in England? This certainly isn’t the rule here. Just wondered if you’re in the US due to your use of the word ‘servers’?

containsnuts · 20/12/2021 08:31

YANBU. I'm in Scotland and everywhere I've been with DM all staff have worn masks except one exempt waitress who wore a lanyard and a face shield. I couldn't help thinking that the shield just forced the breath down directly onto the food but I realy appriciated the effort and gesture of kindness towards customers. However, I have an issue with food being left uncovered at breath level infront of a queue of people. We're in a pandemic ffs. Covid the food.

KimDeals · 20/12/2021 08:31

@Lacto12

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.

Totally agree with you OP. What’s the point in having patrons wear masks if the staff don’t? The original standpoint was everybody wear them, and now that doesn’t include the staff unfortunately. Makes no logical sense to me, in terms of making a space safe. Hopefully you are all ok and I hope your Kim had a lovely birthday.
KimDeals · 20/12/2021 08:31

Your mum not your Kim, sorry!!

containsnuts · 20/12/2021 08:39

COVER the food, not Covid the food 😂. Freudian slip?

Dammitthisisshit · 20/12/2021 08:42

Not sure why so may posters are being so rude.

It's a legitimate question.

If customers are expected to wear masks when not seated it makes no sense that wait staff don't wear them while walking around.

^ this with bells on.

Oh and those of you saying you work in hospitality but why should you bother to wear a mask, it’s exactly that attitude that’ll get hospitality restricted if there are further measures brought in.

Pinkstar28 · 20/12/2021 08:42

In England the current rules are that pubs & restaurants are not on the list as indoor places where masks are needed. Before staff had to wear them at all times and customers had to wear them if they were not seated at tables. This isn’t the case at the moment. We went out for dinner last week and no members of staff wore any kind of mask. These are within the guidelines at the moment so if you don’t feel comfortable with that then don’t go to these places. I understand it’s frustrating to be stuck in not going to these places still after such a long time but the choice is with us right now, either we hide away or we take the risk and carry on.

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