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Parenting

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Original poster

Do you tidy up after your child in a restaurant ?

111 replies

wanderingstar · 30/03/2006 15:30

...because I'm seeing more and more parents who just don't bother to make any effort at all to pick anything off the highchair or floor. Moreover they don't seem at all embarrassed at the sight of all sorts of food and general mess left behind.
A table will never be immaculate after my family has dined at it, but I would always, say, clear up a high chair tray with a napkin, so the staff can clean easily after we've gone. Plus I wouldn't leave masses of food on the floor either, if that's where it's, ahem, ended up. Not saying I get out the Dettox floor wipes or anything, just think it's right to show willing. What do you all do ?

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Cristina7 · 30/03/2006 15:43

I do like you, clean up a bit, not least as it helps me gather everything i need. I've often found my mobile etc. under a tissue.

hellsbellsdownunder · 30/03/2006 15:44

I run a pub and I really appreciate it when parents make even just a token effort eg napkins off the floor.
But I also know 'it's my job' and I know how difficult it is sometimes managing children - getting coats on, finding toys, gathering bottles, hushing tantrums etc etc. So I have huge sympathy with harrassed mothers!
What I really like is when they tell me they have enjoyed their visit - that more than makes up for any mess.
Funny too how it's nearly always the mums who have a go at tidying up - rarely the dads.

PiccadillyCircus · 30/03/2006 15:45

I was thinkinh about this yesterday after lunch with DD (6 months) in John Lewis. I wiped the highchair tray with a babywipe and picked up what I could find of the flung finger food.

I'm sure some bits escaped though .

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hermykne · 30/03/2006 15:45

was in 2 restaurants yesterday and i tidied up as best as possible in both, but i too see lots of parents who dont bother and walk away. plain bad manners IMO

LooneyLaura · 30/03/2006 15:45

Yes. Hate to sit down at a table or put my son in a highchair that is full of food. I always have a quick pick up and a wipe down. It's not immaculate but it doesnt look a tip when we leave.

podkin · 30/03/2006 15:45

yes. there are some dirty pigs out there

Nikkinoo · 30/03/2006 15:46

yes i most certainly do. However have found that people dont. I feel its quite a working class thing to do IYSWIM. Most middle class yummy mummies wouldnt dream of getting on their hands and knees to clear up after their little 'angels'.

I noticed this when I worked at a farm park restaurant the mums were just so uppity and patronising and they let their children run riot.

zippitippitoes · 30/03/2006 15:50

yes I collect what bits i can up with napkins and give a quick once over to the tray

CountessDracula · 30/03/2006 15:51

nikkinoo that sounds very snobby

Hulababy · 30/03/2006 15:53

Yes, I have always tidied round after we have eaten out.

Bozza · 30/03/2006 15:54

I tidy it up so that most of it is on the plate, and also sometimes give it a quick wipe with the wipe I have used for DD's face - ie DD's face first and then the tray afterwards. What I find annoying is that quite often it is then cleaner than when we arrived at the place.

LooneyLaura · 30/03/2006 15:57

I agree Bozza. Have been to some restaurants where tables are sticky and messy when we arrive and look spotless when I've done a quick wipe around after we've finished!

Nikkinoo · 30/03/2006 15:58

no honestly its just what i have experienced, i mean i did work in a farm park with a diverse range of families and it just always seemed to be the way things were.

mazzystar · 30/03/2006 16:00

i do - a bit.

and if its really bad i leave a big tip.

nulnulcat · 30/03/2006 16:03

i have asked them for a cloth before to clean high chair up - spag bol and 12 month old was very messy! in previous job with airline pet hate was mess parents with kids used to leave behind for the crew to clear up! food all over seats and floor and nappies - sometimes not even in nappy bags just left under seat / in seat pocket it was disgusting!

Nikkinoo · 30/03/2006 16:05

Class seems to be a bit of a thing today on MN....have just looked at other threads. apologies wish id never said that now

lunarx · 30/03/2006 16:19

yes... we'll wipe down the highchair tray and pick up any dropped bits off the floor. to me, its just polite...

handlemecarefully · 30/03/2006 16:24

Oh bunkum about the middle class bit. I always clear up afterwards....

sandyballs · 30/03/2006 16:26

Yes, I always try to clear up as much as possible. Don't go so far as scraping and stacking the plates like my mum though .

Hate seeing people wandering off and leaving all their crap everywhere, and their chairs not tucked back in

serenity · 30/03/2006 16:27

Yes, always

Even in McDonalds

serenity · 30/03/2006 16:28

I scrape and stack plates (can't help it, it's just ingrained)

SorenLorensen · 30/03/2006 16:34

I always clear up - pick the worst of it off the floor and stack the plates up. I think it's really disrespectful not to - I know you've paid for the food, and part of the cost is the service, but it's just a horible attitude to have - that you can leave a big mess and have someone else clean up for you.

Also I've been on the 'cleaning up' end - when I worked in McDonald's (yes, I really did) and people would literally throw food on the ground in front of you and go "you gonna pick that up before someone slips in it?" Worst though was a family, with a baby, leaving and the Mum called back over her shoulder "you'd better clean that high chair - he's been sick on it..."

Kelly1978 · 30/03/2006 16:35

when I was a waitress ppl scraping and stacking plates annoyed the hell out of me. I can't then stack them my way, and you end up with food on your fingers trying to sort it out! I don't stack, but I do a quick pick up of the floor and the highchair.

ToujoursMarine · 30/03/2006 16:38

Also clear up and wouldn't occur to me not to . Area round dd's seat can look like aftermath of Chimps' Tea Party and always do maximum damage limitation possible.
Am also amazed at people who walk out of a library leaving book carnage in the children's section, and come to a family service in church and make no effort to help with clearing away the toys, cushions etc afterwards.

jalopy · 30/03/2006 16:41

Yep, I always clear up but I'm obsessively tidy . Can't bear leaving a mess.

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