At a buffet, does "all-you-can-eat" mean "all-you-can-possibly-eat"?

Question

Are you supposed to just keep eating until you vomit or explode?

Answer 1

Technically, it is "all you can eat until the management asks you to leave" ....LOL You could go and vomit in the lavatory every few minutes (The Romans used to do this during their orgies of sex and food, even had a special place, known as a vomitorium), however, that is not really what I would call enjoying a meal...LOL.
It really means "all you can eat until you are full"

Answer 2

NO, you are not supposed to keep eating until you explode unless you are a character in a Monty Python skit.
Imagine dining at a buffet with your Grandmother.
Fill your plate, return to your seat, and eat. If you are still hungry and there is something else you'd like to try, say the Eggs Benedict or the poached Salmon, do so. I think that even my Grandmother would approve.

Answer 3

Yes it dose, but just eat till your comfortable. Although "All you can eat" means just that. If you haven't eaten all you can, it's ok.

If you really want to push the issue they have to let you stay and eat all you can, even if it means they have to stay open later. Look for the rules, most buffet's will limit something, and your usually required to get a clean plate before returning for more. Some have rules regarding children under 6 or 7, that they need to be accompanied by a guardian or helper.

As is the case with most things in life, there’s a right way and a wrong way to dine buffet-style. Sure, you could always load up your plate to capacity and carefully waddle back to your table making sure one of the chicken legs piled high on your personal pyramid of food doesn’t break loose and fall onto the floor.

But food etiquette experts suggest the following buffet strategies to make buffet dining pleasant for all involved.

First, try to eat your courses in some acceptable order. Although you may feel that it’s perfectly fine to have shrimp, salad, chocolate mousse, ice cream and rice pudding piled onto your plate all at once, others may find this eclectic mix unappetizing.

While in line at the buffet table, be sure to make use of the serving utensils, even when placing “finger foods” on your plate. Piling food onto your plate with your bare hands is never acceptable.

In addition, never take anything from a serving plate and stick it directly into your mouth. Nor should you start eating from your plate while still in line. There’s plenty of time for that once you get back to your table.

Finally, be patient and wait in line along with everyone else. Butting in or swimming against the tide to speed your journey through the buffet table is never a good idea.

True, most of this advice could be classified as “common sense.” But then again, common sense, as they say, isn’t as common as all buffet lovers might hope.

Answer 4

As Freedom said, "technically, yes" but if you want to be technical all the time, your not going to be invited out alot, people will just find you weird. It means, be reasonable. If everyone that came in pigged out, the restaurant would have to raise prices by an extreme amount, however since most (the average) number of people eat a fair amount, the restaurant can still make money.

Think of it like Las Vegas, the house wins. If the restaurant didn't, we'd all pay more.

Answer 5

It means that you can eat until the restaurant workers tell you you can't anymore.

There are different systems. Some are self-serve, some aren't. All have their limits.

I'm sure that some places purposely cut back on the amount of certain foods at the self-serve type places when they see a big crowd of fat people.

Similarly, waiters and waitresses simply won't come around as much when they think you've had enough or are eating too quickly.

Answer 6

Technically you COULD eat until you vomit. And you might feel like you're getting a "great deal" if you do so. But in the end, you're not only screwing over the restaurant. You're screwing over yourself too. You'll figure that out once you realize you can't move from your seat... and when you get home and can't do anything but lay in bed for a few hours.

Answer 7

It means you can stuff yourself with as much half-cooked meat and chocolate pudding and wilted salad as you can within the store hours, and pay to get sick and throw up the whole mess later. Brilliant business move, because it is humanly impossible to eat more than a specific amount within the store hours. The company wins every time.
I believe Homer Simpson attempted to test that all-you-can-eat offer...

Answer 8

No, it means you can eat to you are satisfied. Most places will not allow doggy bags or multiple plates. They also have a time frame . If you make a fool of yourself and vomit or over-eat you probably wont be allowed back.

Answer 9

Technically it could mean all you can possibly eat. Would love to visit one with a gainer. That gives them a lot of food available. I just eat until I feel I have had enough. I don't want to get sick from over eating myself.

Answer 10

I gorge myself till I feel sick, take a breather and then eat more... If you smoke, go out for a break (toke up!) and then come back for more... Bring a container inside a normal bag and try to put some food in it for later.

I hate people who only go to an all you can eat place for an hour. They run for at least a few hours for a reason.... Make sure you go with people who intend to make good use. If they think you're weird for eating all you can eat at a (duh) all you can eat place, then maybe *they* shouldn't be going there.