2006-09-04 13:41:25 · 36 answers · asked by bluemax 1 in Food & Drink ➔ Entertaining
No, plates should be cleared as they are done with. Its very uncomfortable to sit with dirty plates in front of you.
2006-09-04 13:44:34 · answer #1 · answered by LAUGHING MAGPIE 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is not a quick answer... if this were a business dinner, then the everyone should be keeping pace with the "leader" at the table. ie: the client or your boss. So then they all finish together, or at least pertend to!
If you are out with friends, this changes and should be up to the sole discretion of the wait staff. In a fine restaurant the waiter should wait to clear all plates, in most establishments the rule of 2 should and is applied, as mentioned earlier. and is is VERY true the removal of plates should not be disruptive!
A diner should make it very clear to the wait staff whether they are finished with their meal or still eating by minding proper placement of silverware. This way there is no need for them to ask (most servers shouldn't ask if trained properly.)
You should never pick your plate up to the waiter or announce to everyone you are finish or if you are still working, just politely tell your server it they ask, no thank you. Taking things home in "doggie bags" should be avoided whenever possible. Order what you can finish or at least wont mind being tossed, this is especially true for business dinners.
2006-09-06 08:10:19 · answer #2 · answered by amlikam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let the server decide. If he or she comes to clear the finished dishes, let them clear them. If they leave them until the last member of the party is finished, don't worry about that, either. I have been in super fancy restaurants where they did it both ways.
The important thing is to be courteous to both the fast and the slow eaters. If someone is still eating their entree, and the server is asking about coffee or dessert, you should all simply say you would like more time. You don't need to be pointed, and say, "We're going to have to wait on that until Pokey-Joe here finishes his dinner," just tell them to check back with you. After the last person has finished the entree, and ONLY then, you can order coffee or desserts, or simply ask for the check, but it should not be done sooner.
And stacking dishes at the side of the table is tacky! Almost everyone I know does it, and it annoys me terribly. If you have to sit and look at the remains of your dinner, be an adult about it, and do it graciously. Don't play with what's left, and don't scrape everything and stack the plates at the edge of the table. Just enjoy the conversation, and leave your utensils sitting neatly on your plate, and leave the plate in front of you until the server comes to clear. It is acceptable, however, to hand your finished plate to the server if he or she has a hard time reaching.
2006-09-04 16:12:51 · answer #3 · answered by Bronwen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go ahead and allow the waiter to remove the empty dishes but be polite and remain at the table while couple #4 finishes eating!
2006-09-05 09:51:06 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ Susan §@¿@§ ♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let the dirty dishes go and let the other person eat at their own pace. I've been in places where one person takes FOREVER while everyone else is ready for coffee or desert. Also, hw much can the waitress or waiter carry in one trip? Maybe when he/she gets back that persons stuff is ready to be collected. Also, generally the waiter will ask or make it a point to get the dirty stuff out of the way so desert menus can be handed out.
2006-09-04 17:38:11 · answer #5 · answered by overwhelmed999 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say regardless of the restaurant, I want the plates to go away as soon as I am done because I am usually wicked full!
However, I am a super slow eater and I talk too much :-) so I'm usually the one that is the last to be finished and I can tell you that (regardless of the restaurant) I couldn't care less if others have their plates removed. Heck, pack up the doggie bags and set them on the table. Doesn't bother me a bit. Why should other people have to sit and smell/look at their leftovers just because I eat slow?
2006-09-04 13:55:38 · answer #6 · answered by Smoochy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is 8 people. Often the wait staff will clear the finished dishes, so that you don't have to sit and look at the leftovers. Are 3 couples finished or just 3 people? That might affect the wait staffs decision to clear.
2006-09-04 13:49:18 · answer #7 · answered by jeanne h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Plates can always be cleared as people finish. The only rule is that you never continue to clear until only one person is left with a plate. You always clear the last 2 plates together even if one has finished before the other. Also clearing plates should never be intrusive or disrupt conversation. The best service is the services you don´t even see.
2006-09-05 07:03:22 · answer #8 · answered by forallitsworth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i think that will be rude if all three are finished and let the waiter come and take the dishes from you guys the last person will rush his or her food just to be done with you guys
2006-09-04 13:56:20 · answer #9 · answered by msstrawberryshortcake21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are in a reputable dining room where they know their service rules, you plates won't be touched til all are finished. Forget about you being uncomfortable with dirty dishes in front of you, think of other person, how uncomfortable are they when you highlight the fact that they are the last ones to finish. Have paitence and respect the other dinner partner. Better yet, slow down and savory the meal the Chef hopefully worked hard to prepare for you.
2006-09-04 13:50:45 · answer #10 · answered by msgchef 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is only proper to wait till the other person has finished eating, then allow the waitress take all the dishes.
2006-09-04 13:49:18 · answer #11 · answered by daugtherofmerlin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋