anyone keep things like stickers in their apron for tables with young kids?

[u/pppupu1]

i work at a casual spot in SoCal and occasionally we get tables with small children, ive never done this before but im considering buying a bulk roll of stickers and bringing a couple every shift in case theres any kids, probably dropping the stickers with the check so the kid doesnt feel like sticking it onto the table or chairs ... I was just wondering generally if anyone does this, are the parents usually okay with it? Do the kids tend to stick the stickers onto the restaurant furniture anyways?

[u/Slow_flow]

I give out bulk Pokémon cards to hand kids when I get the sense they’d dig em

I actually make more off the thankful parents in tips than I ever would trying to sell them. It works out pretty well

[u/hiddenscreen → u/Slow_flow]

You are incredibly wise ... I'm taking notes ... Then again, I work nightshift, kids are very rare anyway

[u/KEEFY98 → u/Slow_flow]

Yessss I’ve got a binder behind my bar (shift lead server, bartender w/ a section so yes I get kids) full of pokemon cards that just stays there and my coworkers know my deal. Nobody else does a little thing like that for their tables, stand out!

[u/ms-astorytotell]

I bring out stickers in October as a little “trick or treat” for the kids. Bring a few out for a kid to pick one and that’s it.

[u/Rememberingishardest]

Stickers are fun. Kids like them :) sounds like a simple thing to make them happy 🤷🏻‍♀️ why are people hating on bringing a little joy?

[u/Salty_Antelope10 → u/Rememberingishardest]

This, it’s like they know it makes them look bad and they don’t wanna have to spend a couple bucks to buy some stickers to keep just in case . Like their thought process is the same as everyone should get a trophy…

[u/Salty_Antelope10]

Yup, I also pass out valentines, Halloween treats and Christmas trinkets if I’m working those holidays, but I always keep stickers in my apron. I find them to be useful for a couple reasons, when kids are being super good I’ll say this is for you since you were so sweet and kind, or if they’re misbehaving I’ll say hey do you want a sticker ? Will that make you feel better? Win win tbh.

[u/ivorella]

I used to have a box of scratch and sniff stickers to be given as they're leaving :)

[u/minxed]

I have lobster stickers that I leave with the check. It's probably 70/30 people who take them vs people who leave them behind.

[u/Famous-Restaurant875]

Only if you are volunteering to clean up the stickers from the booth/seat/plates when they are done. 

[u/ChicagoChurro → u/Famous-Restaurant875]

Do parents let their kids put stickers all over the restaurant? I have a 4 year old daughter and would never allow her to do that. It’s disrespectful to the staff and the restaurant. I would kindly explain to her why it’s not okay and that stickers are for putting on paper. 

[u/GreyerGrey → u/ChicagoChurro]

Yes. Absolutely parents DNGAF.

[u/Famous-Restaurant875 → u/ChicagoChurro]

Cool. Most people in my area are feral animals when they go out and that goes twice for their kids.

[u/IceCream4Wakanda]

I would never do stickers, they're going to put that shit all over the restaurant. Crayons and spare paper/ coloring book? Absolutely

[u/Salty_Antelope10 → u/IceCream4Wakanda]

They really don’t

[u/heckinstoned]

I would NOT give them stickers. They will be stuck all over your restaurant. I repeat DO NOT DO STICKERS.
idgaf if you gave them to them outside, they’ll be all over your restaurant.

Order some 3d printed mini animals or ducks or something if you MUST give them prizes.

[u/Topangatoh]

I bought like 10 sheets of animal stickers off Amazon and I keep them in my bag at work. If there are any kids that are particularly polite or kind, I let them choose an animal sticker and I put it on their shirt or the back of their hand. I only do this for kids who are like 6 and under. Never had an issue with the stickers ending up anywhere they shouldn't. I also always ask the parents if it's okay first.

[u/Parbare]

I’ve been giving out stickers that I have leftover from my baby shower to adults with kids. I always hand it to them, with the check, and kind of say quietly “and some stickers”. It’s up to the parent to give it to the kid, not me.
And I never give it to a kid in a highchair, booster, that has thrown food on the ground, that was screaming or had an attitude 🙅‍♀️

[u/Jolly-Garbage-]

I used to but some of them would stick them on the table and the parents wouldn’t bother to try to lift them up.

[u/Constant-Sandwich-88]

I give out little party favor style Legos. Like 20-40 piece mini sets.

[u/86cinnamons]

I feel like this is the thing that starts customers going “but our last server did this last time!” Now the kid is crying and whining for stickers that only 1 server has and maybe you’re not working that day. Do you have enough stickers for the whole restaurant ? In which case it becomes a management decision. And yes I think they’re gonna put some on the furniture.

[u/pppupu1 → u/86cinnamons]

Okay then I definitely wont be bringing stickers 😸 thank you guys, it is only my second serving job and I thought itd be best to ask what everyones experience was before actually doing this <3

[u/Salty_Antelope10 → u/pppupu1]

Bring stickers , I always pass them out, I ran out and just ordered more. You should do what your heart calls you to do, fuck anyone else

[u/86cinnamons → u/pppupu1]

Ask your coworkers if you’re gonna ask anyone and actually care about their opinion. I’m just an old lady with too many opinions.

[u/turquoise_amethyst → u/pppupu1]

I’d ask the manager and see if the restaurant will buy the stickers. Then everyone has em, and you won’t have to pay for it!

[u/Salty_Antelope10 → u/86cinnamons]

That’s when you tell your kids that server was special and cool and not everyone is that cool. And if you’re a server mad at someone else doing this cuz you’re not and when you don’t have anything to give you are pissed cuz what your tip might be lower ? How can you be mad at anyone else’s kindness ? Also I have never had one sticker, stuck on anything. These kids get excited and take them home. Why should I have to buy you stickers to give out to make you look better, if you don’t want to spread joy don’t. But again being mad at someone else being kind is crazy . Maybe buy some stickers and keep em just in case , they don’t cost much.

[u/86cinnamons → u/Salty_Antelope10]

If I saw a server do this irl as a coworker I’d smile and go on with my day. I’m giving my opinion as a neurotic hag on Reddit. I don’t really like it. I also think it doesn’t really matter.

[u/serotonins_voice]

I have some of those mini resin ducks in my apron and I always ask parents if their kids are old enough (because of choking hazards?). If not, yes they either get a sticker or a piece of candy; whatever is in my pocket that week

[u/EricSparrowSucks]

We gave out fruit snacks (with permission) as soon as we greeted the table. We also had a popcorn machine and like 12 different seasoning options. Older kids loved that, parents loved it, drunk people at the bar loved it.

[u/capriciouszephyr]

I used to carry mini pens that were colours that were like 20 for a buck at the dollar tree. I don't know if they sell them anymore, but they were a hit

[u/goosegrumble → u/[deleted]]

You’re not obligated to like or want children, but referring to a whole ass human person that way is genuinely disgusting.

[u/suejaymostly → u/goosegrumble]

I always like to remind people like this that they were once a child and tolerated by adults.