I had a similar experience once. Somebody barfed... and I mean BARFED.... in the first row of first class. Gate agents wanted to put blankets over the mess and press on.
I stopped the show.
This kind of thing is beyond idiotic.
As to the NMJ comment, you couldn't be more wrong. You are the last line of defense. Yeah the cleaners and gate agents are responsible to ensure the airplane is ready to go, but they also have gun in their ear to PUSH ON TIME. To them, that is all that matters.
Oh, and one other thing: I never heard word one about the delay.