Sunday

Applebees in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Received Sunday, May 20, 2007
Two nannies, both white. One was thin with frizzy hair and was wearing a grey, fuzzy sweater and not much make up. The other was blond, fuller figured, wearing a button up denim shirt over a low cut red shirt. She wore make up and had more styled hair. These nannies were young, maybe 21-24. The blond nanny had a little girl of about 4 with her. The girl had darkest hair, light skin and a pony tail on the top of her head in an old school, two ball pony tail holder. The other nanny had two kids with her. A boy of about 4 with a buzz style haircut who was perhaps 3-4 (in a blue ringer t-shirt with a red 4x4 on it), the little girl was younger, maybe 2 and dressed in yellow. Dishwasher blond hair, squinty face. This was about 5:00 in the afternoon, Fri. I am sending in this story because of the alcohol consumption. Nanny 1 with frizzy hair was drinking beer and nanny 2 with blond hair was drinking margaritas. I wasn't watching their table non stop but did see them get at least a second drink. They weren't there a long time either. It wasn't a leisurely dinner. Nanny 1 with frizzy hair was the driver. They all loaded in to a white Toyota Highlander SUV. You could tell that these were the nannies by the way they talked to the children, they were actually very "in" to the children, drawing with them and more. I just don't think that it is appropriate to drink on the job, any job and especially when you are driving. My two cents.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is why I would never hire a young nanny. Friday night? Probably could not wait to get the party started.

Anonymous said...

Dishwasher hair?!

Anonymous said...

isn't the phrase dishwater blonde?

Anonymous said...

I am guessing the parents allow this. I don't think it is right, but it is hardly out in the open and also, the parents probably give her money or a credit card for expenses like this. Alcoholic beverages really drive up a tab like that.

Anonymous said...

it is out in the open=

Anonymous said...

So few nannies in the park this weekend.
All parents. Lots of mothers heaping attention & adoration on their children.
So obviously delighted to have free time to be with their children.
Lovely, really. Lovely.

Anonymous said...

No one should drink and drive. PERIOD. Just a side note-
Love Friday's hamburgers, one of the few places you can get a really good quality hamburger cooked right.

Anonymous said...

ruby tuesday-barbecue cheese burger. but this is off topic. and no one should drink and drive! these have to be crazy european au pairs. we should just be lucky they brought the children inside with them.

Anonymous said...

Did anyone consider that these might be non alcholic drinks? I have them all the time when I'm with my charges. Nothing wrong with it, I even let them have a sip, shock and gasp,

Anonymous said...

true
but I got food poisening at Ruby Tuesdays- I think it was the salad bar

Anonymous said...

That's weird, someone else I know got food poisening from Ruby Tuesday's, but it was from a hamburger.

Anonymous said...

How did you know they were nannies and not trashy moms?

Anonymous said...

what kind of desperados drink non alcoholic margaritas? and beer? seriously. i work as a nanny in nyc and when i get stuck working late on friday (instead of off at 4), i don't ever cook for the kids, we always go out and my boss always tells me to "order a drink". out of guilt no doubt that my true weekend plans are being put on pause.

Anonymous said...

While it is inappropriate for them to be drinking on the job, you are not really sure these girls were nannies. They could have been young mothers, or even older sisters to these children.

Honestly, I don't see the problem with having a drink or two with dinner and then driving. For one, it is better to drink while eating because the foods keeps your metabolism going and the alcohol gets through your system a lot faster. Second, two drinks is not a lot and certainly not enough to make most of age drinkers intoxicated.

Just as a side note, as a nanny, I have had employers offer me drinks many times - while at dinner, while at their house, even had some buy beer just for me while I was watching the kids. The only time I have ever taken an employer up on their offer is when I was not responsible for the kids.

Anonymous said...

I got my driver's license when I was 21 years old and one of the first things I asked my father was. "How many drinks can I have and still drive home?" His answer was basically, "No more than one an hour and no more than two an evening."

So, I've always abided by his rule and would really not hesitate to drive myself home after a drink or two with dinner. I don't drink when I'm driving my goddaughter around, but that's a personal choice. If these girls are aunts, friends, godmothers, etc. to the children in question, I don't think there's anything wrong with what they did.

Like the other nannies who've commented on this page, I've been offered alcoholic beverages by parents while working. I ALWAYS decline. If something, anything were to happen, my fault or not, I would be branded the Nanny-who-was-drinking!!! There might be nothing wrong with taking a glass of wine from the mom I work for at the end of a long day, but the risk I take is not worth it to me. I'd much rather wait a half an hour until I'm out at the bar with my friends.

Anonymous said...

I believe Ruby Tuesdays got into some kind of trouble due to people getting sick on their food, but it's been awhile back so I do not recall particulars. I know one thing, though, and that is that I NEVER eat there! Better safe than sorry!!

Anonymous said...

Did you actually make those cocktails yourself? I love "virgin" strawberry margaritas, and they are served in the same glass as a "real" margarita.

Anonymous said...

How desperately idiotic does a grown woman have to be to go out to dinner and order mocktails? And what woman would? At 800 calories per. I don't think so. It's only worth the indulgence if it's packed with vodka. Or tequila. Or both.

Anonymous said...

How about if you're NOT a "grown" woman and you're not of legal age yet?? Duh.

Anonymous said...

if u r drinking near beer and a virgin margarita in front of the child, then you are sending a message to the child that alcohol must be really freaking special.

a margarita without alcohol?
what would the point be?
certainly, it wouldn't taste good!