TikTok video shaming parents for mess under highchair at restaurant goes viral: 'Disgusting'

A social media firestorm has erupted courtesy of an Australian man who sparked controversy by sharing a scathing TikTok video condemning parents who neglect to clean up after their children at restaurants.

The Queensland tradesman, known as Beau the Legend on TikTok, didn't hold back as he publicly called out parents who don't clean up mess made by children when dining-out. In his video, he documented the aftermath of a meal with kids, zooming in on the food scraps and mess left beneath the high chairs.

With almost a million views, the clip has divided opinions on the proper dining etiquette when accompanied by children.

In the viral footage, Beau expressed his strong disapproval, exclaiming: "I don't care who you are as a parent, leaving a f***ing restaurant like that is disgusting," before continuing, "surely it's not that hard to pick up after your kids."

"You gotta feel sorry for the wait staff," he added in the caption.

However, despite Beau's stance, the comments section was flooded with hospitality workers who came to the defence of parents, asserting that cleaning up such messes is part of their job description.

One waitress firmly stated, "I would never let my customer get down on the floor and start picking up crumbs. That’s part of my job."

"I’ve worked as waitstaff for 10 years and it’s quite literally our job to clean up after guests, of all ages," agreed another.

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Several others in the industry shared similar encounters with adults leaving even more mess and expressed their willingness to clean up after young children.

One understanding waitress suggested that she was happy to give parents a break from cleaning up after their children. "They pick up after them enough at home and I’m getting paid," she said.

Amidst the ongoing debate, parents contributed their perspectives. One mum recounted an incident where her child made a similar mess, and she was reassured by the café staff that it was their responsibility to handle it.

"Most staff have actually stopped me from cleaning the mess, saying it’s their job," she said.

Another parent agreed, suggesting leaving a generous tip is a way of expressing gratitude. "The crumbs a kid makes are hard to pick up. Unless you bring your vacuum with you," she mused.

"As a mum I always pick up as much as I can, as a server I tell mums pls don't-it takes me seconds with a broom rather than them crawling the floor," chimed in a third.

In the comments, someone jokingly remarked that Beau, the TikToker, clearly doesn't have kids.

Nonetheless, there were also commenters who aligned with Beau's perspective, finding it impolite for parents not to clean up after their children.

One user strongly agreed, exclaiming: "Exactly, bend and pick up the pieces, ffs, what goes on in their head."

Another commenter stated: "I would be mortified. I always picked up after my kids in restaurants."

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