WE love babies. We hate babies. Any new parent can attest to the great joy their bundle of love brings to the family.
But are the sleepless nights worth the trouble? More than just the sleepless nights, babies are real monsters when they are awake.
It is also their unique behaviour which brought an interesting topic to light on the cyberspace. Netizen @jllmisai on the X social media platform recently shared a photo of a table at an unidentified restaurant.
A baby chair could be seen there, and below it, a food mess, likely caused by the bumbling little human.
— JalalMisai (@jllmisai) July 20, 2025
He wondered if the parents should be held responsible for cleaning up the mess or was it the work of the staff at the restaurant.
The topic has since caught the attention of many netizens, generating about 173 reposts and 139 comments.
According to @X_XMulia, the parents could do the cleaning but the service charge should be removed.
Not unlike him, netizen @quietBrain99 was straight to the point.
However, @kabutneaubilem pointed out that such restaurants do not have service charges, hence the point was moot.
It was a veritable firestorm of arguments in the comment section, with a balanced number of netizens siding either with the parents or the staff.
@Dee59259865 said it was better that the worker cleans up the mess. “We as the customer should apologise for it,” he said, adding that it was a matter of respect and courtesy.
Also, @nefauzii said this was an interesting question, and that there was no correct answer. @nefauzii added that the family should ask for a broom and clean it up a little so it is not so noticeable.
Then there was @mrfirdausjailan who commented that it was a simple matter. “If you want to make noises when cleaning up the table, why don’t you ask the customer to eat in the dustbin?”
On another note, how long does it take for a baby to start eating properly? According to the website raising.children.net.au, most babies won’t be able to use a spoon or fork well until they’re about 18 months old.
“But it is a good idea to let your child practise from a much earlier age. Sometimes babies will let you know when they want to start, by reaching for the spoon or fork,” said the website.
Messy eating and playing with food are typical parts of learning to eat. In other words, babies shouldn’t be penalised for behaving like babies. —July 21, 2025
Main image: Kids Eat In Colour
