Nose piercings and fine dining?

Question

My husband and I had lunch at a very nice restaurant today. Our waitperson had an ear piercing. Well, let's just say they really needed a tissue.

Should I really have to look at that or an infected piercing, while I am trying to eat?

How do you feel about this?

Sorry, it was a nose piercing. And no I do not find piercings to be offensive. I do find someones snot or oozing sores to be offensive while eating. Should I have told the person or just left? Which would be ruder?

and "you people" is a pretty broad assumption about my character

Answer 1

A clean nose is just basic hygiene, someone should have asked them to blow or work away from the clientele. In they type of position someone should have suggested Sudafed or the like.
I believe that if an employer allows "client visible body modification" that there should also be a company policy that if it is not kept up or clean or whatever, they can be asked to take it out or go home.

I happen to have both tattoos and piercings. I remember the day I cam in with my tongue pierced. My position at the time was order taker/customer service/collections all over the phone. My boss (the owner of the company) approached me and stated very clearly that if I was unable to speak clearly I would be asked to remove it or go home. I had no problem with this. I had the job first, I chose to pierce, it will be my loss if it causes problems with my performance. We also now have a police regarding the care and handling of "body art" in reference to the client. It is allowed as long as it does not cause any issues.

Answer 2

I think someone with a nose piercing working in a restaurant should be fine, even if he has all his face covered in piercings it's no problem with me as long as they're all clean.

However someone with oozing infections on his face working in the food service industry should keep them cleaned, by regularly wiping them, using band aids and if it's bad enough that isn't possible, take a day or two off. Regardless of whether those infections are from a piercing, zits, an accident or anything else. The piercing shouldn't be an issue, the oozing infection is.

Answer 3

I'm a little confused. You mentioned a nose piercing, but talk about an ear piercing. Second, would you have to look at what you suspect to be an infected area whilst you eat? I think, and I am not trying to be rude, that you should lighten up. I find plenty of things objectionable when I eat, but I do not have the right to not be offended. All my best.

Answer 4

I think you and many other people are too sensitive to piercings. Piercings and tattoo's are considered either "taboo" or "inappropriate". Your waitress didn't smear her infected piercing on your food, so you should probably get over it and fill your face with your cuisine.

Piercings are a part of personal body modification, something many people do because it gives them release and expression. Who are you to tell them they can't display their individuality because you have a weak stomach and can't eat when displayed with something very, very normal?

Should you lose your appetite when you see an elderly man or woman with hair sticking out of their nose and ears?
Should you be offended when you see someone disabled drooling down the side of their face because mental reactions don't allow them to function properly?
Should scraped knees make you cringe or yak up your lunch?

The world doesn't revolve around you and your fine dining, I hate to say, but it's true. Let people do what they want to their own bodies and stop basing the ideal of "nice" on people looking perfect for your pleasure.

Answer 5

I am a part-time server in fine dining (I am building my own business, so I'm only there for some extra income). We don't even hire anyone with tattoos or facial piercings, unless they are covered/hidden.
I am completely sympathetic to your situation. I don't feel it's attractive and when paying for a nice meal out, that's not what you want as part of the scenery! In my personal view, it is demeaning and self-destructive, not expressive, when someone pierces their face or gages their ears. I don't want to have to look at it and it is not appetizing.
If I were you - I would call and ask to speak to the owner/manager. TELL THEM!!! You'll be doing everyone a favor. Telling the server would only cause hurt feelings.

Answer 6

so he had an infected ear piercing and boogers dripping out of his nose? Well, I think if he was sick, he should not have been handling food. Infected piercing? i don't think you can catch anything from that.

Answer 7

any sign of anything contagious in a setting where someone is being served to eat should not be allowed. if it were a cold, that server should not have been working; i'm not sure how much that type of infection would spread, but i don't think it's that sanitary.

no, you shouldn't have to look at it or be served by someone in that condition. not sure what i would have done, though. did you say anything?

Answer 8

ok which is pierced ear or nose?
tissue for what?
if you didn't like it you should speak to the managers and see if they are able to bandaid the area to cover it if it's an ear.
if it's the nose and it's allowed by the managers you are out of luck.

Answer 9

Was it the piercing or the fact that they had something hanging from there nose? I would have excused myself and went to another restaurant or skipped the meal.

Answer 10

I think I would have consulted the manager.