I cringe when I type it: used diapers?

People are terrible. Did I ever tell you that my answer to everything these days is "We have to move?" Guess folks are the same everywhere, although I don't want to think that's true.

Ugh.

Oh my...
My guess is a dirty diaper or two and if so, I would blacklist them from the restaurant for eternity.

As always, your blog makes me feel like the most well-mannered, together, got-a-grip person in the world. And certainly puts my slightly fussy kid in perspective. No wonder the wait staff loves her.

Oh wow, I was thinking vomit, and was wondering what they were expected to do about it really, but if it was a dirty diaper - oh my gosh that is so so rude! Ban them! It's unhygienic!

I love children, don't get me wrong, but why do new parents think that the whole world should revolve around them and their baby? As a caterer I am often in other peoples kitchens or a function hall and I find it amazing that a parent will march right into "my" kitchen and try to hand me a dirty nappy (diaper in US). They get quite offended if I back away and refuse to take it. Havn't they heard of food hygiene regulations?

Oh my God, I cringe as i'm typing this but dirty diapers?People are terrible, in the church I work at, people leave dirty diapers, used kleenex in the pews.

You are a saint Foodwhore! I'd either kill these people or end up in a straight jacket.

Heck, weather it was vomit or a dirty dipper - what did they just let it sit there while they ate! oh, my.

We should be allowed to electronically tag people who do this kind of crap, at least so the rest of us have some warning.

I am a new parent and EVERYTIME we take our daughter (10 months) out to a new place we call ahead to make sure they are "baby appropriate" and then I am still absolutely neurotic about cleaning up after her. My biggest fear is becoming "those people" who think the world revolves around them simply because they chose to pro-create.

A few weeks ago at a large family-oriented chain (ugh!), as I was on my knees cleaning up all the Cheerios she had chucked on the floor, a nice staff person came over and said "really, you don't have to do that" but I do. I wipe down the table with a wipe before we leave because she has usually smeared something everywhere. I take a plastic bag with me to bundle up all the trash (dirty wipes, baby food jars, soggy Cherrios, etc.) and I take that with me when I go - the staff does not need to clean up after my rugrat. My standard tip has also gone up to about 30%. Really, it’s not that hard to be somewhat prepared and considerate.

I just can't imagine leaving a post-toddler war zone for someone else to clean up. It's so stinkin' rude!

People can be absolute pigs...and I feel as if I'm insulting the pigs when I say that!

Man, the things that come to mind are quite a few. My boys are 7 and 12 now, so it isn't as it was. But the things I had to clean up were many. You're going to have to tell me, cause I don't want to put down my guesses.
Okay, I do. I remember one time diarrhea shot out the top/back of one of their diapers. But wait, it gets better. It shot up his back and flowed out through the armholes. All he could do was just sit there with his arms wide and goo pouring out all over the floor. Just then the waitress came by, I told her to move on and I would handle it. We didn't go out much after that.

Ikate,

Thank goodness I'm not the only one who did or does that, thank you.

Biggles

Oh how I wish you could have bagged that fast enough and run out the door yelling to them " You forgot this! "

You know... just as a courtesy.

Was it..... a child? Better thn a dirty diaper anyway, though maybe only marginally.

In your blog "Balls of Steel" you talk about business men coming in only wanting water and a place for a meeting. Well....check out Dear Abby for today - another restaurant person asks the same question of what to do.

I like your answer better.

I too am shocked at the behavior of parents and agree with the observations of your other posters.

I would like to commend ikate on her realization that her toddler is her responsibility. We -- other diners, restaurant owners, wait staff, general public -- wish all parents were as thoughtful as you.

Wow, that's ridiculous. When we moved into our house a few years ago, the previous owners left us (among other things) several dirty diapers. They were real charmers, and I'm sure this crowd was too.

I'm with iKate. I clean up after my kids because it's only polite.

Furthermore, I cannot even imagine changing a diaper where I'm eating. EEEEWWW!!!!! This is why most restrooms have changing areas in them, and if the restaurant doesn't have that, then I go out to my car. It's that simple, people. Honestly.

I hate people. ALL. OF. THEM. I want to just go live in the mountains 100s of miles from anyone and everyone in my own little world. Please, God.

liz.. I am also a caterer, and have had that same experience more than once...especially in a home, and when you have food in your hands!