Monday, November 22, 2010

Question of the Day

Another question yet again inspired by a debate on a forum I'm part of.

Changing a child's diaper at the table in an eating establishment.



Appropriate in certain circumstances? Unhygenic? Disrespectful to other diners?

Discuss!

20 comments:

d.a.r. said...

Seriously. You crack me up! Where do you come up with these things??

I just think it's gross. I have never been in an eating establishment without a bathroom. I think that would be the no-brainer location for a diaper change at a restaurant. Not the table.

I know that there are a lot of things that I am going to kick myself for saying once I do have kids. Never say never, right? But, I really don't think this is one of those situations.

Heather said...

Gross!! And I have had to change my child in some random places because not all bathrooms are very well equipped (I have seen some where the ONLY place I could have laid my daughter was on the floor or back of the toilet. Um, no thank you!) But at the table is just not right. Go outside to the car or something (have done that multiple times too!)

This American Wife said...

Eww. Never. Take them to the car if you must. When they're itty bitty (and not squirmy yet) you can get away with sitting on the toilet (with your pants pulled up) and changing them on your lap if there's no changing table. Seriously, do anything you have to do in order to NEVER change your baby at the table. Gross!

Natalie said...

Ew! That is absolutely unacceptable! Go to the bathroom or your car. I can't even imagine all the health code violations that are broken if/when someone does that!

Katelyn said...

Hi, I'm a semi-new follower. I've been reading your blog but have never commented.

I find it disgusting that anyone would change a childs diaper at a table where they are eating, let alone around where others are eating. That's why these places have restrooms.

Anonymous said...

Ugh! That is such bad hygiene. Do people realize how many illnesses come from fecal matter? Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!

I do understand that some eating establishments are not equipped at all for changing diapers. And in that case, go to your freakin' car to change the diaper. This is not the same as someone breast feeding in a public place (where people just get their undies in a wad and don't want to see it). This is a question of health.

Sorry, I'll step off my soapbox now.

Mary Teresa said...

Not appropriate, but here in Germany not all restaurants have bathrooms with baby stations (or at all) and if I take the bus or train I don't necessarily have some place to change the baby. I generally don't chance him in public at all just because its easier, but here in Germany there aren't always feasible options.

Jen said...

that really is gross. there are definitely other places to change a diaper in public, though maybe not all ideal, than to change a baby on a table where there will be food. i'm not a germaphobe by any stretch of the imagination, but that's really inappropriate!

Cassie said...

That's absolutely disgusting! I don't understand how people have the nerve to do this crap!.. I hate when people think it's okay to change their kids in public open places.

Sara said...

Oh for heaven's sake there is no reason whatsoever to have to do that. Go into a bathroom. And if there's no changing table, gut up and use the changing pad on the ground. Or go to your car and change them. No one needs to see human feces while they eat. And I believe in babies getting a bit of modesty too, to be honest.

kd said...

Ick! This is one of my pet peeves. I don't want to see doo-doo when I'm eating!

Anonymous said...

Almost all bathrooms have at least a sink you could change your child on of they don't have a changing table. If not, you can always go to a car. I find it disgusting and a little rude to fellow diners.

Annie said...

i'm going to say that's a no no! there are other places to change a diaper and on a table in public is not ont of them.

Random Musings said...

So I work in a restaurant and I ACTUALLY WITNESSED THIS THE OTHER DAY!!

And its so disgusting and disrespectful to everyone around you. And the lady who did it was a new mom.
How do I know this?
Another mother went over to the table to "talk" to this young lady and explained to her proper restaurant etiquette.
The young lady had "no idea" that it was not acceptable.
I almost hugged the lady that went over.
But the worst thing?
1. We have a change table in both the mens and ladies bathrooms.
2. It was THE STINKIEST POOP EVER! It lingered for hours....

So gross

Shoshanah said...

I think it's a little unhygienic, especially knowing that most restaurants have bathrooms. But maybe in some huge emergency, not that I can really come up with one, it might not really be ok then but i could understand how it might feel like someones only option.

❈ Annie - Blonde Glambition ❈ said...

Disgusting and grossly inappropriate!

A Wedding Story said...

To the bathroom. Yuck!

Dana said...

Eeewwww. Never okay. Bathrooms in Italy are rarely equipped for diaper changes and can be pretty gross as well, but there are lots of substitutions that don't include the table.
Mom of One

Doris said...

Umh wow. I have a child and normally I get pissed or hella sensitive when people bring up topics of what is or isn't apporpriate with children..Especially when they aren't parent's.

But Changing a diaper at a dinner table is just a no no completely. I would never ever even think of doing such a thing. I mean who wants to smell urine/poop while eating. No one especially not strangers. As a mom I don't want to smell anybody's poop period..not even my own haha.

So really I think anyone who would argue for such things really needs to get their mind right. Or they shoudl be forced to eat dinner with a nice helping of fresh hot poop on their table..see how they like it.

Oh and yeah you could go change a baby anywhere really it's not that hard to get up and go to the bathroom like most places have. Or to your car. Our outside on a bench/grass whatever.

I have changed my child in the car numerous times..ON the autostrada at rest stops. Even on a patch a grass outside the colessum in Rome.

it's not that hard people you don't have to do it at the dinner table.

Jessica @ Wanting Adventure said...

Even if you don't care about the hygiene, others eat on that table and it's rude to change a baby's diaper in view of the other public in the establishment. There are bathrooms for a reason!