5 ms·

For this reason, I generally share a meal when I'm eating out.

jacquesm 16y ago
That would be 'not done' in plenty of places. I've asked for half portions for the full price instead, they just laugh at me.
- wwortiz 16y ago
  That seems kind of weird, most places will bring out an extra plate for you to share/split with someone as soon as you ask. I can however see them laugh at the half portions at full price (just take the leftovers if you feel bad for wasting food, maybe you could even give it to a bum if you can't bring the food home).
  - jacquesm 16y ago
    It's a cultural thing. As a European in North America you find lots of those things where the 'right' thing to do is less than obvious, and restaurant etiquette is one of those. Americans visiting Europe would find themselves in a similar situation if they asked for a doggie bag. Most places wouldn't even be prepared to handle such a request. But then again, the portions are so much smaller that a request of that nature is unlikely.
    - wwortiz 16y ago
      Is it uncommon for European restaurants to bring out another plate/silverware if asked, or just considered bad manners? I'm genuinely curious, but perhaps I misunderstood what you were saying. Also I'm curious if doggy bags imply the same connotations where you are from, as here they imply simply bringing leftovers home, although it has been a very long time since I've heard the term doggy bag and am more accustomed to people asking if anyone wants a box or their leftovers wrapped up.
      - jacquesm 16y ago
        > Is it uncommon for European restaurants to bring out another plate/silverware if asked, or just considered bad manners? I'd hate to try :) I've never ever seen anybody do that, except for maybe asking for an extra spoon to share a desert. > Also I'm curious if doggy bags imply the same connotations where you are from, as here they imply simply bringing leftovers home, although it has been a very long time since I've heard the term doggy bag and am more accustomed to people asking if anyone wants a box or their leftovers wrapped up. I think that part of the stigma is that eating out is somewhat of a luxury in Europe whereas in America it is extremely normal. Prices are in general much higher here when eating out, the menus more varied (no thousand island dressing here, no burgers (at least, not in most places)) and people tend to dress up before going out. A 'doggy bag' simply does not go well with the image of going out when you look at it like that. So I think that it's as much custom as it is setting and social stigma, if you asked for a doggy bag in a restaurant your peers would assume that you are either broke or very very stingy. Or that you had a dog :) Of course this is just my experience, maybe other Europeans can add / detract from that by giving their perspective, this is mine.
        jules 16y ago
        As another European I agree. When we eat in a restaurant with my family its almost always the case that for some people the portions will be too big and for others too small. What we sometimes do is we just pick a dish for each person and each of us eats about 1/n'th of each dish, with the people who are more hungry eating more and the others less. I'm not sure if this would be considered bad manners (not that we'd change it, we're tasting n dishes instead of one and having more fun comparing what we like and don't like, especially if the restaurant is good). I'm pretty sure that taking food with you in a bag is unfortunately considered bad manners :( Asking for a second plate and silver maybe a less so but still.
        pbhjpbhj 16y ago
        Just back from holiday in Scotland. We both asked for a doggy bag (for a slice of pizza) and asked for extra crockery+cultery on occassion (different restaurants). I wouldn't have balked if they'd said no, but as I constantly say to my lad "you don't get if you don't ask" (which may not be true universally, but certainly is with me).

That would be 'not done' in plenty of places. I've asked for half portions for the full price instead, they just laugh at me.

wwortiz 16y ago
That seems kind of weird, most places will bring out an extra plate for you to share/split with someone as soon as you ask. I can however see them laugh at the half portions at full price (just take the leftovers if you feel bad for wasting food, maybe you could even give it to a bum if you can't bring the food home).
- jacquesm 16y ago
  It's a cultural thing. As a European in North America you find lots of those things where the 'right' thing to do is less than obvious, and restaurant etiquette is one of those. Americans visiting Europe would find themselves in a similar situation if they asked for a doggie bag. Most places wouldn't even be prepared to handle such a request. But then again, the portions are so much smaller that a request of that nature is unlikely.
  - wwortiz 16y ago
    Is it uncommon for European restaurants to bring out another plate/silverware if asked, or just considered bad manners? I'm genuinely curious, but perhaps I misunderstood what you were saying. Also I'm curious if doggy bags imply the same connotations where you are from, as here they imply simply bringing leftovers home, although it has been a very long time since I've heard the term doggy bag and am more accustomed to people asking if anyone wants a box or their leftovers wrapped up.
    - jacquesm 16y ago
      > Is it uncommon for European restaurants to bring out another plate/silverware if asked, or just considered bad manners? I'd hate to try :) I've never ever seen anybody do that, except for maybe asking for an extra spoon to share a desert. > Also I'm curious if doggy bags imply the same connotations where you are from, as here they imply simply bringing leftovers home, although it has been a very long time since I've heard the term doggy bag and am more accustomed to people asking if anyone wants a box or their leftovers wrapped up. I think that part of the stigma is that eating out is somewhat of a luxury in Europe whereas in America it is extremely normal. Prices are in general much higher here when eating out, the menus more varied (no thousand island dressing here, no burgers (at least, not in most places)) and people tend to dress up before going out. A 'doggy bag' simply does not go well with the image of going out when you look at it like that. So I think that it's as much custom as it is setting and social stigma, if you asked for a doggy bag in a restaurant your peers would assume that you are either broke or very very stingy. Or that you had a dog :) Of course this is just my experience, maybe other Europeans can add / detract from that by giving their perspective, this is mine.
      - jules 16y ago
        As another European I agree. When we eat in a restaurant with my family its almost always the case that for some people the portions will be too big and for others too small. What we sometimes do is we just pick a dish for each person and each of us eats about 1/n'th of each dish, with the people who are more hungry eating more and the others less. I'm not sure if this would be considered bad manners (not that we'd change it, we're tasting n dishes instead of one and having more fun comparing what we like and don't like, especially if the restaurant is good). I'm pretty sure that taking food with you in a bag is unfortunately considered bad manners :( Asking for a second plate and silver maybe a less so but still.
        pbhjpbhj 16y ago
        Just back from holiday in Scotland. We both asked for a doggy bag (for a slice of pizza) and asked for extra crockery+cultery on occassion (different restaurants). I wouldn't have balked if they'd said no, but as I constantly say to my lad "you don't get if you don't ask" (which may not be true universally, but certainly is with me).