Customers got a little more than they bargained for at an Australian cafe this week.
A woman sparked a fierce debate after criticising a cafe owner who complained when she changed her baby’s nappy on one of the cafe’s tables.
The new mum wrote a negative review about the Brisbane cafe after she changed her 12-week-old baby twice in front of other diners.
“My baby has been having difficulty breastfeeding and gaining weight so I sat to enjoy my coffee and feed her while there,” she wrote. “She then had a dirty nappy so naturally I go to change it. I put my change mat down to change her so that in this 30 degree heat she doesn’t develop a rash sitting in it on our way home.
The woman, who used the name Stephanie Plahn, said that the waitress gave her a dirty look and made a comment as she cleared away her coffee cup. She then approached the manager and asked if there was a problem. She responded that it was highly inappropriate.
Stephanie wrote:
“To this woman and the 2 other customers who made comments regarding this. Mothers don’t need your judgment or criticism. We have enough pressure and stress we deal with on a daily basis. We rarely get the opportunity to get out and have a coffee amidst the long list of things we are doing for our families every single day. I am sorry (not sorry) you are so terribly offended by a tiny baby’s tiny little dirty nappy that you think it necessary to criticise.”
Owner of the cafe, Jocelyn Ridgeway responded by saying:
“I don’t think there is much more to say other than in in the same way you don’t expect to have to feed your baby in a toilet, I don’t expect people to eat while a nappy is being changed.”
Her comments have been backed up by many, with one commenter saying:
“Seriously, woman changer of nappies on cafe tables! I would NEVER think of doing such a thing. I don’t know anyone who would. Changing nappies is not done near food. Ever!”
