Page 4 | AIBU to think waitress should have been wearing mask?

Lacto12 · 2021-12-19T22:34:23+00:00

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)

50ShadesOfCatholic · 20/12/2021 09:18

@containsnuts

Those shields do nought. And they look absurd.

TheVampiresWife · 20/12/2021 09:33

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

So you acknowledge the shield was useless (which they absolutely are), but you were grateful for the pretence of wearing one despite it being pointless?

I cannot stand the argument that exempt people should wear shields because 'although they don't work at least it shows you care'. Absolutely bonkers, and I resent the implication that can't wear a mask = unkind, doesn't care, selfish.

(And lots of mask exempt people can't wear shields, either)

Thewiseoneincognito · 20/12/2021 09:34

Your mistake was taking your DM out to a restaurant when Omicron is surging it’s way around the population so quickly. I hope you all dodge infection, use this as a lesson to not take the risk again though because now you’ll have an anxious few days.

I cannot fathom why so many in hospitality don’t wear masks in the workplace. It really isn’t a good look but then again they’re going to be absolutely shafted once restrictions set in so there may be some denial or rebellion behind it?

Anyone reading these posts wondering if they too should take a similar risk over the next week or so take heed from this OP- don’t - it’s simply not worth it.

TheVampiresWife · 20/12/2021 09:36

[quote 50ShadesOfCatholic]@containsnuts

Those shields do nought. And they look absurd.[/quote]
I was served by someone in a deli who was wearing one a few weeks ago. The condensation from her breath was collecting on the inside of it and dripping all over the bags, food and counter.

As you can imagine I felt far more protected than if she'd just gone maskless

HesterShaw1 · 20/12/2021 09:37

They don't have to. It's shit working in a mask.

If you're that concerned, don't go out to restuarants.

rookiemere · 20/12/2021 09:40

I think I'm annoyed at OPs question, because I can just imagine if anyone in the party does get covid, it will definitely- in the mind of the OP - be down to the massless waitress.

Whereas the reality is that case numbers are at a record high and we should all know by now that's there's a new super transmissible variant around. Not the moment to be going out for a nosh up with vulnerable relatives if you're concerned about catching it.

HesterShaw1 · 20/12/2021 09:42

@RedRobinRedbreast

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

My mum is 74 and still working (in a vaccination centre actually). She'd tear strips off me if I said this about her!

Yes older people are more vulnerable, but they don't all want to live encased in cotton wool.

Original poster

Lacto12 · 20/12/2021 09:47

Wow so many comments. Just to clarify I don’t ‘take’ my mum anywhere she is very able to make her own decisions and mind up about her birthday . It was a worry about the waitress which I still think is wrong not to her personality but in a general rule. Seems to be protect staff but not the customer so wrong but it is what it is !

OP posts:

50ShadesOfCatholic · 20/12/2021 10:00

@TheVampiresWife
Ugh how off-putting. I think they were considered useful during the alpha variant but only seen randomly now.

anniegun · 20/12/2021 10:06

I cant believe you didn't look up the current regulations before posting!

Elodeastar · 20/12/2021 10:07

YABU

Original poster

Lacto12 · 20/12/2021 10:12

Current regulations or not, I think it’s wrong it’s not in place. Plenty of places I see still do it so I was shocked. Considering it’s a place where lots of elderly regularly eat at. I find it strange that people think it’s ok …but that’s what I came here for opinions so it’s eye opening to see to say the least

OP posts:

Abraxan · 20/12/2021 10:22

@RedRobinRedbreast

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

You do know that 70 year olds are perfectly able to make their own decisions regarding whether they go,out or not?!

I can just imagine my MIL and her friends, all early-mid 70s+, reactions if their children were telling them they weren't allowed to go,out for a meal as if they weren't capable of making the decision for themselves!

Abraxan · 20/12/2021 10:24

[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]
Those aren't actually the current rules though. Masks are not required in bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs, even when moving about - by customers or staff.

Potatodrivers · 20/12/2021 10:26

@Lacto12

Current regulations or not, I think it’s wrong it’s not in place. Plenty of places I see still do it so I was shocked. Considering it’s a place where lots of elderly regularly eat at. I find it strange that people think it’s ok …but that’s what I came here for opinions so it’s eye opening to see to say the least

Its just another example of how stupid the rules are.

You are right that if people are being told to wear them, then that should include everyone. Because like you say, it seems like the staff are protected but the customers are not. That isn't the case though, as no one is protected since they can be removed when sitting.
It makes no sense that you have to wear one when entering or walking, but you can remove it when sitting.
Its almost as ridiculous as the first lockdown when you could go for a walk, but you couldn't sit down.

Its pointless worrying about it though because the exposure, if any, would have been from sitting in the place surrounded by tables of people. Not just the staff. It was a risk you were prepared to take and I hope you all had a lovely time.

Original poster

Lacto12 · 20/12/2021 10:35

Apart from that thank you yes we had a lovely time! I spose if we get it we get it there’s no hiding from it forever ( already both had it before the vaccines and my mother was actually lots better than me!)

OP posts:

Ridiculousradish · 20/12/2021 11:24

@Dammitthisisshit

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.

Oh yeah absolutely, my not wearing a mask will be the downfall of the hospitality industry. If you're that bothered, then please don't go out. I know it's shit, but that's how it is right now.

Yes we in hospitality are thankful that people are still coming in, but it's all about keeping the customers safe, no one seems bothered about the staff. It's all personal responsibility as far as I'm concerned. If you're that bothered about safety then don't go out. We work long hours on our feet, get spoken to like shit, and work for minimum wage. People's entitlement is astounding. Everyone seems happy enough to have people leaning over them to give them their food whilst they sit there maskless. No one in any kitchen that I know of wears a mask.

I usually love my job. I love chatting to people and making their experience enjoyable, but during the pandemic it has been fucking shit. Wearing a mask is just the icing on the cake.

Halloweenrainbow · 20/12/2021 11:43

@TheVampiresWife

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

So you acknowledge the shield was useless (which they absolutely are), but you were grateful for the pretence of wearing one despite it being pointless?

I cannot stand the argument that exempt people should wear shields because 'although they don't work at least it shows you care'. Absolutely bonkers, and I resent the implication that can't wear a mask = unkind, doesn't care, selfish.

(And lots of mask exempt people can't wear shields, either)

She wanted to do something to make vulnerable customers feel confortable even though she couldn't wear a mask. I was greatful for the gesture. Why does that offend you?

Happypootler · 20/12/2021 12:19

What is it with the infantilising of 'the elderly'? They're quite capable of making their own risk assessments. I know a few who are back to staying home 24/7 and others who are gungho as usual, including my own DM. She certainly wouldn't look for a restaurant to give her special cautious treatment.

TheVampiresWife · 20/12/2021 12:25

She wanted to do something to make vulnerable customers feel confortable even though she couldn't wear a mask. I was greatful for the gesture. Why does that offend you?

Offended?!

As a PP said, stop infantilising the elderly/vulnerable. We know shields offer no protection. There's a reason why in Scotland they're not supposed to be worn without a mask underneath, and why hospitals (including mine) won't allow them.

Look at the example I gave above, of the lady serving in the deli wearing a shield - how on earth is that protecting anyone? It's visibly spreading condensation from her breath over food and surfaces. How does that make anyone feel 'comfortable'?

IShouldProbablyHooverMore · 20/12/2021 12:26

YABU. If you're that worried, don't go to restaurants.

Tee20x · 20/12/2021 13:14

No because she may have been exempt. If you are concerned don't go out to celebrate birthdays.

containsnuts · 20/12/2021 13:16

@TheVampiresWife

She wanted to do something to make vulnerable customers feel confortable even though she couldn't wear a mask. I was greatful for the gesture. Why does that offend you?

Offended?!

As a PP said, stop infantilising the elderly/vulnerable. We know shields offer no protection. There's a reason why in Scotland they're not supposed to be worn without a mask underneath, and why hospitals (including mine) won't allow them.

Look at the example I gave above, of the lady serving in the deli wearing a shield - how on earth is that protecting anyone? It's visibly spreading condensation from her breath over food and surfaces. How does that make anyone feel 'comfortable'?

In what way is it infantalising? It's quite the opposite imo. I saw two responsible adults, with competing health needs finding a way to coexist in a shared space, showing each other compassion and making the most of a difficult situation. It was a lovely morning.

Cherryblossoms85 · 20/12/2021 13:18

It's now so prevalent you could catch it from absolutely anyone. The masks really aren't going to make a big difference, they're just a minor mitigation. Those diagrams on FB about how you've only got a 5% chance of catching it if everyone wears a mask - they are random estimates...

TheVampiresWife · 20/12/2021 14:04

In what way is it infantalising?

Assuming they that the elderly/vulnerable are too uninformed/stupid to realise that shields offer no protection, and that we'd be pacified into a (false) sense of security by someone wearing one. It's insulting.

I'd rather an exempt person didn't put themselves to unnecessary trouble or discomfort than wear something so completely pointless in an attempt to be seen to be doing the right thing.