Waitress at restaurant I have a question

I mean if it's a whole kids pizza on the floor vs a few fries makes a difference lol

Depends on the mess. Some crumbs? Don’t worry about it. It happens. Literal trash thrown everywhere? Tidy it up yourself.

I’m in hospitality and I’d say pick up the bulk of it, purely for the fact it’s just also really bad manners. Leaving somewhere a sticky mess because it’s someone’s job to clean it, just isn’t cool.

Id always pick the bigger bits up and put on a plate, I've asked for a dustpan and brush before when he's destroyed some cake and it's been everywhere. I think they'd rather you offer than leave a mess!

I’m a former server & i grew up in the restaurant industry, Id say assistance is definitely preferred but there’s not an expectation to like wipe down the tables or nothing,

Best approach is clean as it occurs. You leaving it until the end of the meal makes it look like (from the management staff & bosses perspective) you’re thinking the staff won’t do their job of cleaning any mess that might be left over by any guest, yanno what I mean? Lol like that’s why staff is pretty much gonna give the default of “oh don’t worry about it” (cause someone’s job is making sure the table is clean before another party is seated)

There’s been only a few times where I didn’t want to get down and clean up the floor or the whole table or something (never left it atrocious but some crumbs and whatever) and I chose to leave a bigger tip instead. If you got your hands full like multiple kids for example and leave some mess I think the least you can do is make sure to tip well

Not a waitress but this post reminded me of how my mom asked me why I clean the tables so well at restaurants and I’m like you used to do that when we went out growing up.
And she goes yea I had 4 kids and I’m not an asshole. We’re adults now with barely any mess it’s not necessary😭😂

I would 100% make an effort to clean the mess as best I could. I think it’s just good manners.

I very much appreciated it when people made the effort to pick up after themselves

I pick up the mess whenever we're out for a meal, even if they insist there's no need. It's the right thing to do.

It doesn't have to be spotless, but a bit of effort is nice.

I was a waitress and now I’m a mom. If it’s just crumbs it’s 100% our job to tidy the area in between getting sat. That being said if your toddler has thrown seemingly all of their food, crayons, napkins ect down on the floor and it looks like a bomb went off?? Clean up after your kid. You don’t have to like fully make it spot less but any amount of tidying is appreciated.

I’ve never liked when patrons get on the floor to pick stuff up like girl I have a broom… please get up. that’s gross. If it’s on the table and they feel inclined to tidy up then much appreciated but not expected. Only people I couldn’t stand when waitressing or bartending are the ones who make an absolute mess and then leave $0 for a tip like okay yes thank you for that.

I've always cleaned up. Crumbs, chunks, smears, wipe the area down. Why not since we now all travel with wet wipes?!

Im one who if its a big mess definitely clean some... dropped fork, napkins, crayons, straws... I always pick up crumbs or small food that isn't easy to pick up needs a broom usually

Clean up after yourself, or tip well.

I clean up ever I go with anyone just bc it’s not a lot and I’ve been in the food industry . Ice cream shop . Most ppl just leave big messes like they own the place and it was always ppl who never tipped . Or kids with nanny’s who let them run wild . So for me it’s just being nice and respectful to severs. But yeah . Plus my partner is a messy ass eater so I’m always cleaning up after his ass

I do not clean up my kids messes. I have 14mth old. Its expected that the staff will clean it. Just as you expect a generous tip. I expect you to clean up the mess most places have buffers those who pick up the dishes otherwise your sweeping up crumbs anyway to keep the place clean and presentable. Now the table yes I tidy up as much as I can.

Basic good manners is clean up what you can!
I have worked in a very busy high street coffee shop and restaurant in the past and I was disgusted the way some parents left a mess!
Clean up what you can and/ or apologize to a staff member if you have your hands full!!

Same, I leave a nice tip and do not get on the floor and clean up. Sorry ! Not sorry

When I waitressed we were explicitly told it was our job to clean up, not the parents / customers. I always leave a generous tip when my toddler makes a mess.

I am in the habit though of preparing the table to make bussing easier - picking up any debris lying around, placing all the cutlery and glasses together. I don't stack plates because I know the bussers don't like that, but I'll move everything to one side of the table (to the most readily accessible side if we're in a booth) to make it efficient.