What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

DS and I were having a lunch date with my friend and her two DC. We finished eating and as soon as we started leaving, DS got sick, all over a booth (empty thank goodness) and the floor I was so embarassed and kept apologizing. A waitress handed me a papertowel since it was on DS and all over my keys. My friend was hurrying me out but I felt so bad that people had to clean up DS' mess. Is there any etiquitte in this circumstance? Do you help clean up? Tip them (we had already left a tip on the table).

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

I usually try to help clean it up.

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

I would definitely clean it up myself. No one should have to clean up someone else's vomit....especially just a bus boy or waitress, that is definitely not in their job description. Hope he feels better....Ive been there!

ETA: except for a floor that can be mopped, then there is no having to wipe it up using your hands.

Message edited 5/24/2011 4:22:42 PM.

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

We took DD to the mall to get her picture with Santa when she was 5.5 months old. Afterward we were walking through JCP and DD threw up an entire bottle all over the tile walkway. My mom and I looked at each other in disbelief!! My mom walked over to the nearest telephone and the operator picked up the phone, she told them what happened and they thanked her and said they would send maintenance down to clean it. I felt terrible!!

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

now i feel bad...although logistically, I dont know how i could have helped with DS screaming on my hip and my right hand holding my keys all covered Poor DS he has gone through three diapers since we've been home

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

I would have cleaned it myself.

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

I would have asked them to get me rag to clean it up and I would have done it myself.

My DS thew up in the park. It was on those foamy type floors. DH went to the car got a bucket and filled it with water from the bathroom and we clean it up.

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

When I waitressed this happened to me a few times and I was always grateful when the parent tried to clean it up, but I understood when they weren't able to because the kid was freaking out. As long as the parent showed some sort of "I'm sorry you have to deal with this" I was cool with it. I totally understood that they had a lot more going on then trying to figure up how to clean up when all they have are a few paper napkins.

Only one time did I have a parent give me an attitude that made it seem like I was their servant (although they were regulars to the restaurant and acted that way about everything, so I wasn't surprised...I made good friends with the hostess that worked the night they usually came in and made sure I didn't get their table any more ).

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

The wait staff always nicely came over and cleaned it up. I always felt awful!!!

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

DS hasn't done it yet but my brother did a few times a child. My mom always helped to clean the big part of it and would give the waitress or whoever was cleaning it $15-20 bucks.

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

When DD #1 was around 1, we were in CVS waiting forever for a prescription. DD projectile vomitted all over the place including me. There were several people staring at me and not offering any help at all. Not that I expected them to clean it up, but at least get an employee for some cleaning supplies. I cleaned up as much as I could with the wipes I had on hand and then someone came with a mop. I felt awful but I had nothing to clean it up with.

The only good this was that miraculously, the prescription was ready immediately!

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

william and i were running errands right b4 i went into the hosp to deliver marc and we were in the pizzeria having lunch..

his lunch came right up all over me, himself, the stroller and the floor

i started using my wipes and napkins on the table but that wasnt doing much. one of the workers saw what happened so he gave me a bunch of rags. i cleaned everything up.

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

Unfortunately, my daughter has puked a few times at restaurants.

I always have the diaper bag with wipes, I use the baby wipes and get as much as I can.
They come along with the mop.
We tip extra.

It's terrible, but what can you do ?


You were in a tough spot, already leaving and dealing with enough already.
I really dont think you had much of a choice in your situation.


I learned the hard way, never go to a restaurant without an entire change of clothes for DD and lots of baby wipes.

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

honestly, if its on a table or something i may try to clean up a little bit, but my main concern is for my child. i try to bring them to a bathroom or outside as quickly as possible as to minimize the damage, but it happens, and just like if it happens at home. My main concern is my child. usually by the time i'm done taking care of my child, someone has been there to help clean it up. And if they weren't i wouldnt attempt to do it either, because #1- even if you don't want to clean it up, you should atleast come over to see how we're doing and ask if we need anything, and #2, i clean up enough to get out of there as quickly as possible, but they have better cleaning supplies than i do, and me with a wipe or napkin that i have in my bag, isn't going to clean it up as well as a mop and rag with cleanser will.

Usually we wind up tipping more if they're helpful. with 3 kids i've had this experience too many times, and i've found that the places that don't even offer to help clean, dont even care how your child is doing and their service is usually crappy also.

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

I do my best to clean up what I can. If nobody saw it, I bring it to a staff person's attention because I wouldn't want my child's germs to possibly infect someone else.

Re: What happens if your DC throws up in a public place?

I would do my best to clean it up but my key concern would be to stop the source of the vomit from making it worse & get him/her to a toilet or with a bucket.

After, I would help clean it up. I'm not comfortable with leaving it for someone else to deal with but if my child was really sick, I'd apologize, throw a big tip on the table & take care of him/her.

Message edited 5/25/2011 10:09:23 AM.