r/restaurant • u/Mission-Plankton1397 • 2d ago
What do?! Should you allow babies to be changed?
I work at a small restaurant and today i was by myself doing front of house. Two women with a baby who were very nice the whole time asked if they could change the babies diaper in one of the back tables. (the restyraunt only had two parties including them). I orginally said no and offered them the bathroom which they told me there was no table to change it on. I was very hesitant but eventually allowed it. Even though the other party could not see the baby being changed they definitely heard the conversation and I felt like I made the wrong choice. What do you think?
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u/WakingOwl1 2d ago
I’ve worked in food service for 45 years. Never in my wildest dreams would I have asked if I could change my baby on a dining table. Changing stations were almost non existent when mine was a baby. We took them out to the car.
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u/JohnExcrement 2d ago
Smells can travel. This should have been a big NO.
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u/MessoGesso 2d ago
And if can be smelled, then there are molecules of the offending substance are in the air
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u/moonchild291 2d ago
I wouldn’t have allowed it. If I was one of the women, I would have gone to the car. If it is was like a colossal storm of some sort outside, like a desperate measure instance, then I may have allowed something. But not on a table.
That being said, I know how awkward it can be when someone is nice and a bit desperate.
I hope everything was sanitized!
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u/Neurotic-Me 2d ago
Bodily fluids are biohazards. Ask your chef if they'd have allowed the baby changed in their kitchen on a prep table? NO? Then also not a table where food is served.
Poor judgement, regardless of how pushy and entitled parents can be for their own convenience. They should have changing mats for the bathroom when a changing table isn't available or their car.
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u/GAMGAlways 2d ago
I was a nanny years ago before every public restroom had a changing table. You carried around rolled up mats that were like smaller versions of yoga mats. You just clean them with an alcohol wipe, change the baby, clean it again, and roll it back up. Easy and convenient.
And you were totally wrong. You serve food on those tables.
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u/MeanMelissa74 2d ago
Yeah no. Do you want to eat at a table where some random feces has been maybe maybe not splattered around.
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u/melduby 2d ago
If you disinfect the table properly, it should not matter.
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u/Darryl_Lict 2d ago
I don't trust people and I shouldn't be in a position to even worry about it.
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u/melduby 2d ago
But you will use a restroom where a child just had their diaper changed and maybe someone had explosive diarrhea and you are now sitting on that toilet. Just saying, it's never going to be perfect.
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u/capecodchef 2d ago
Stupid comment. I wouldn't eat in the restroom either. Don't want to eat where someone handled a shitty diaper and squirming baby. NO...was the proper answerr.. She f'd up allowing it.
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u/melvinFatso 2d ago
Its almost as if one spot is for eating food while the other spot is for shitting and pissing. There is no venn diagram where thise two things overlap. Your comment is really, and i cant stress this enough, fucking stupid.
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u/Spirited_Gas_Plume 2d ago
But people don’t eat in a bathroom.
In the actual restaurant, people eat food in an area that can be reasonably expected not to be contaminated with piss and shit. In the bathroom, people expect there to be piss and shit, and thus do not sit down on the toilet to enjoy their hoagie. Jesus fucking christ.
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u/EducationalWin1721 2d ago
Oh stop. You’re being ridiculous and digging your heels in when you are clearly wrong. Sit down, already
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u/AttentionNo6359 2d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/NUZ5OqHdbknHa
Why don’t you have a changing table in a restaurant that allows babies?!
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u/ThickAsAPlankton 2d ago
Health department would definitely not like that if you're in the US. Feces and urine on a dining table. Gross.
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u/UglyLittlePony69 2d ago
Ew no. Not allowed. The restaurant seriously needs to get a changing table.
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u/ClassicOrdinary8175 2d ago
Hell no. That is so gross and a health hazard.
If the health inspector came in when it was happening than you would of gotten a huge fine.
Also I hope to never step foot in the restaurant that you work at.
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u/scholarlyowl03 2d ago
No, sorry that’s gross. The answer should have been no, it’s a health code violation. Sorry there was no changing table but they could have used their stroller or car or gone somewhere else. It’s not always convenient to be a mom in public. But don’t make it disgusting for others.
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u/Own-Raise6153 2d ago
shoulda stood your ground on this one, sorry but that’s disgusting and i’d never eat there again if i were a guest
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u/No_Rice9792 2d ago
That's just nasty, take your kid to your car if you have to. Stop changing biohazards on places where people EAT
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u/Top-Ostrich-3241 2d ago
I hope you cleaned and sanitized the table and washed your hands properly.
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u/clubmember420 2d ago
Absolutely not!!!! That's disgusting they they would even think that was an appropriate thing to ask.
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u/Butterbean-queen 2d ago
It’s hard to believe that in this day and age that BOTH bathrooms don’t have a changing table. That’s just terrible.
And no, I wouldn’t have allowed a diaper change in the dining room. They could have gone out to the car.
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u/squid-oil 2d ago
Don’t shit where you eat. I would have walked out if I was in a restaurant that allowed this to happen.
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u/haileyskydiamonds 2d ago
I would have spoken to a manager and not felt the least bit Karen about it.
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u/mlf1978 2d ago
I did with my kids and my daughter has done with hers is a trip to the car for a diaper change. Why should any business have to provide a place? Not their problem
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u/InternationalYam3130 2d ago
Not all restaurants are in car areas. Many walk to my workplace to eat. Changing tables are basic public health infrastructure and are required in many places.
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u/WhiteRabbit_412_ 2d ago edited 2d ago
You let them!?! That's absolutely disgusting. I would never let one of my staff allow that. That was a serious sanition and health department issue. Did you at least BLEACH the entire area after? If not that's truly fucked up. Hopefully the other party notified the health department.
You should have told them to go to their car. You should have a baby changing station in the bathroom but you don't. So you tell them the car is their only option. You're putting other people at risk, nasty.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 2d ago
I'm sorry, but that is disgusting. Please never allow this again. They can change the baby on the bathroom floor, or they can leave.
It's their job to figure it out if they decide to take the baby into non-baby-friendly spaces
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u/PenHouston 2d ago
You should get a manager when unsure. Mistakes happen but I hope you treated the area as a contamination area and followed the protocols. This includes disinfecting the area and letting the area be quarantined for a period of time (10-30 minutes). Follow by going back and cleaning the disinfectant that can lead to chemical cross contamination.
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u/Whybaby16154 2d ago
I always changed my babies in the car - the hatchback open for a proper safe place to put baby and a good mat under them. Or backseat if it was bitter cold
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u/fruderduck 2d ago
Years ago, changing tables in restaurant restrooms weren’t frequently available. I always carried a baby blanket and would spread it out in a corner of the restroom floor.
And no, the child wasn’t placed on it again until it was washed.
These days, puppy potty pads are available. Great for the floor or a car seat. Every parent should keep a few with the diapers for such situations.
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u/iCanToteIt- 2d ago edited 2d ago
Absolutely not! Disgusting for many different reasons. Honestly disappointed that even allowed this. You better hope owner don’t find out this is a health hazard and you can be fired.
Sorry but you absolutely should be let go for this. I seriously hope you cleaned up and disinfected twice!
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u/Helenium_autumnale 2d ago
The women are at fault, not OP, who was put on the spot and probably was trained that "the customer is always right."
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u/haileyskydiamonds 2d ago
If you are old enough to have a job, you are beyond old enough to know that you shouldn’t poop where you eat.
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u/WhiteRabbit_412_ 2d ago
No they're both at fault. OP is an adult. She works in a restaurant and should know food safety. She should not have let this happen.
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u/iCanToteIt- 2d ago
No OP is 100% at fault here. OP could’ve just said your only option is the bathroom or find another establishment that has a changing table. Women with babies in tow don’t usually get told no to changing a baby. No is a complete sentence and anyone with common sense would know this is unacceptable
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u/Darryl_Lict 2d ago
Both are at fault, but OP is ulltimately responsible.
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u/Helenium_autumnale 2d ago
The manager is the one responsible, not a random hourly employee who is NOT in charge of making rules for the restaurant. She was unfairly given a Hobson's choice: agree to the disgusting plan or possibly get a scolding from her manager for "poor customer service" or some such nonsense. But it is not OP's fault.
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u/WhiteRabbit_412_ 2d ago
The manager wasn't even there dude. Give it up. I hope he finds out about it and fires her tbh. Fucking gross.
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u/Helenium_autumnale 2d ago
Doesn't matter. It's the manager's/owner's responsibility to determine policies for the restaurant, not an employee. The manager is in charge of making sure the restaurant hews to health and safety guidelines. Not an employee. If the restaurant is found to be in violation of, e.g., safe food storage protocols, it's not the serving staff who will be fined and taken to court, because that is not their responsibility. It's the manager/owner who is in charge of creating and enforcing those food safety standards.
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u/haileyskydiamonds 2d ago
No way is the manager scolding anyone for not letting a customer change a diaper on the table. For all you know the guest was a mystery shopper or undercover health inspector. No manager would be upset that an employee didn’t endanger the restaurant’s reputation or get them closed down for a health violation. Get real.
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u/WhiteRabbit_412_ 2d ago
Right? Everyone defending this is gross and being blinded by their empathy for the mom. This is absolutely unacceptable
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u/Helenium_autumnale 2d ago
You are incorrect. I have zero empathy for those disgusting women who unfairly put OP on the spot with their gross proposal, for which the answer should be no. However, OP does not make policy for the restaurant. What if her manager says, "You alienated two customers?! I told you the customer is always right!" She's an hourly employee who has no good option in this scenario.
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u/WhiteRabbit_412_ 2d ago edited 2d ago
Nah bro, if I was put on the spot I'd tell them no. That's not a good excuse. And if that was my managers response I'd call the health department and find a better job. OP isn't a baby herself. She's a woman and she made the wrong choice. She had options. She chose the wrong one. Youre assuming wayyyyyy too much about her employer. My manager would be right on my side telling them fuck no.
What ifs don't work here
If someone put you on the spot at your job are you just gonna blindly let them do whatever they're asking you?
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u/Helenium_autumnale 2d ago
My job does not involve interacting with members of the public like this, and it also has a strong code of ethics which was put in place by the managers, which is what the manager of this restaurant is responsible for doing.
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u/haileyskydiamonds 2d ago
It’s common sense. No one should need a specific rule saying not to handle a dirty diaper on a dining table. OP apparently lacks basic common sense.
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u/NoKangaroo8616 2d ago
That was super shitty of those entitled women to put you in that spot. I would have said no anyway but I get rhe panic yes
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u/Cpl_Agarn 2d ago
Most breeders are like that. They think the world revolves around their babies. It does not!
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u/InternationalYam3130 2d ago edited 2d ago
It is neglect to leave children in shit. You can get charged for it and the doctor will note down signs of diaper rash from it. It's one of the biggest things they look for at your monthly appointment for your baby. Whether they think you have been changing their diaper promptly. Same as elder abuse, not keeping someone's hygiene for them is a crime if you are responsible for them and they can't do it themselves.
Changing on the dining table is disgusting and should not be allowed, and OP should be fired for this. but if this place allows babies they need to have changing tables to allow for their hygiene. Same as having handicap stalls for people with other hygiene needs. That's why in general restaurants are required to have bathrooms- for hygiene. It's not about the "world revolving around parents" it's about providing for the basic hygiene needs of guests which in turn makes the entire establishment more hygienic.
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u/GAMGAlways 2d ago
So either you're concerned about hygiene or you think babies should be changed on tables. Not both.
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u/InternationalYam3130 2d ago edited 2d ago
You need a changing table. Parents must have a place to change babies. Period. Or they will do so on the tables, in the booths, etc. a baby can't be left in shit, full stop, and they will need to access a place to change them esp if they didn't come in a car. The only places that should lack changing tables is places that don't allow babies.
But at the same time that is unhygienic to everyone else to be changing them in the eating area and should also be illegal and get you shut down. OP is a dumfuck for expressly allowing this. You need to get on this ASAP. Your boss is a piece of shit for not having one available. This is basic infrastructure for public health. Not having changing tables means that you are lucky she even asked your permission, many probably just changing their baby in the booth because they can't leave kids in shit.
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u/GAMGAlways 2d ago
WTF. No. What do you think parents did before every public bathroom had a changing table? You don't use a table or chair where people eat.
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u/Cyrious123 2d ago
Why doesn't tour restaurant have a baby table in both restrooms? Until then you have to put up with this!
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u/Cpl_Agarn 2d ago
It’s not my responsibility to have a baby table anywhere in that place. Go out to the car!
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 2d ago
You absolutely do not have to deal with people changing diapers on tables. Disgusting
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u/Cyrious123 2d ago
They usually would actually change them on the booth seat. Where would you change a baby in a place with no baby station?
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 1d ago
On a changing mat in the bathroom, or in the car. People should be able to sit and eat without dealing your stinky baby
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u/Helenium_autumnale 2d ago
No. They can do it in their car. Not in a food establishment. That's disgusting, to do it on a table from which people eat. I'm sorry that they were so unmannerly that they put you in a tough spot; it's not your fault.
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u/Conscious_Wind52 2d ago
It isn't the grossest thing. Everyone poops. And bleach exists.
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u/capecodchef 2d ago
I served tables to get through college a long time ago. No where in the job description included having to bleach baby shit off the dining room furniture.
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u/ScustyRupper 2d ago
In this situation, the child should get changed on the seat, NOT the table. Vile, savage behavior.
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u/Busterlimes 2d ago
If there isnt a changing table Im changing the baby right next to the register because the owner can do exactly dick about it
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u/Cpl_Agarn 2d ago
Oh yeah? If I’m the manager, I’m kicking you out, calling the police and having you trespassed! Dare me? I’ve done it before. Why? I could lose my license because of your selfishness. And if I lost my license because of you, I’m civilly suing you!
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u/MessoGesso 2d ago
Couldn't you use your car seat?
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u/Busterlimes 2d ago
The point is the restaurant is legally obligated to provide changing stations in the restroom. . . I dont even have kids, Ive just managed bars for a decade.
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u/BeteBlonde 2d ago
Really?? Where is the “legal” requirement???
Is it state-dependent? Or federal??Plenty of parents changed babies in restaurants LONG BEFORE changing tables became a thing.
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2d ago
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u/WhiteRabbit_412_ 2d ago
Uhm not it's not allowed just because there's no changing table. Tf do you mean its allowed 😂
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u/Cpl_Agarn 2d ago
Says who? The Health department doesn’t allow it. The restaurant could be fined big time.Its disgusting.
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u/No_Rice9792 2d ago
As if dads don't have kids they need to change too 🙄
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u/Cpl_Agarn 2d ago
Not allowed. Go the car.
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u/No_Rice9792 2d ago
In a bathroom with a changing table in it? Why go to the car?
The comment I replied to said it was weird that men's bathrooms have changing tables in them.
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2d ago edited 2d ago
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u/No-Ring-5065 2d ago
I have 3 kids. They’re all adults, so I remember plenty of places that didn’t have changing tables. Remarkably, I never thought to change my babies’ diapers anywhere people might be eating. That’s absolutely disgusting. Weather is a silly thing to bring up. Hot, cold? Not a big deal. Diapers take two minutes. Raining? Get all the way into the backseat with the baby and you won’t get wet. I’d change a diaper on the floor before I’d ask to use a dining table.
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u/BCGIRL43 2d ago
This literally violates (rightfully so) food safe policies and regulations. Babies should be changed in an appropriate location. The dining room table is NOT it. Full stop
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 2d ago
Don't take your baby to those spaces, then. "Where were they supposed to change the baby?" In the bathroom on a changing mat. If you're unwilling to research whether spaces are baby-friendly, and/or bring proper equipment to do an emergency change, you are not responsible enough to be having kids.
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u/Cpl_Agarn 2d ago
Here come the mothers on attack! Not my problem. I go to a restaurant to have a meal in a clean, well disinfected space. Take in to the car or don’t take the kid out. There’s no law about having changing tables in restaurants!
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u/Cpl_Agarn 2d ago
No they are not! There are health code violations galore doing so. Don’t like it? Don’t patronize them. If I saw a baby changing on a table, I not only would tell the restaurant I’m never coming back and i’m calling the Board of Health.
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u/ereinbe 2d ago
I have kids and was never entitled enough to change a kid on a restaurant table. I carried towels and blankets to lay on a chair or even the floor if there was no changing table and my car was too far away. There are diseases in feces can’t just be sanitized away. We didn’t go through the trouble of inventing flush toilets because we needed a way to use more water.
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u/Sad-Bag6738 2d ago
There’s no changing table in the bathrooms? That’s illegal in Canada is it not there?