I was out with a group of friends for happy hour and one of the guys in our group was hungry, so after a table of people left, he saw they left behind a few pieces of pizza.
Before the waitress had a chance to clear the table, he grabbed the pizza and ate it.
We all just didn't know how to react ... how would you have reacted?
2006-12-29 07:11:18 · 31 answers · asked by Yeeeeezzzzz 1 in Dining Out ➔ Other - Dining Out
Millions are starving in Africa, why waste food?
2006-12-29 07:16:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a social "faux pas", but there's nothing wrong with it. If he had known those folks, and they had offered it to him before they left, it would have been no problem, right?
These answers posted that call it disgusting, etc., have not given this any thought, and are taking their affluent USA lives for granted.
Ask waiters in a restaurant about this matter, and they will tell you that when untouched food comes back to the kitchen, or half finished bottles of wine, the same thing happens. I have never done that, but I have often thought about why it isn't an acceptable thing to do. Of course the restaurant doesn't want people sharing food among tables, because they want you to buy more.
It's notable that you did not pass judgement on him immediately, and that you have chosen to think about this by asking this question. I think that's called independent thinking. :)
2006-12-29 08:09:11 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why does everyone think this is gross? If the pizza is half eaten, and I know the person doesn't have a disease, yes, I'd eat it. And If the pizza isn't even touched, why the hell not eat it? It will just end up in the garbage! Don't people sometimes try each other's drinks, share cigarettes, etc..?
How this generation loves to waste. Our grandparents knew of want, of starvation during the Great Depression. Grow up people.
2006-12-29 19:38:29 · answer #3 · answered by Joe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Etiquette-wise it's messed up. Rationally, it's no different from eating something at a party, buffet or group dinner.(in terms of bacteria).
There are many accounts of sacrificing rationale for etiquette in our society. It produces a lot of waste and inefficiency but maintains people's sense of dignity.
The judgment call should be made based on the scene around you. Depending how apt your intuition is, use that to make a proper decision on either etiquette or logic around your peers.
Personally, to answer your question, I would react disgusted. I don't eat food ar parties, or samples at a store, or at dinners. I have trouble eating restaurant having personally work in the back of one in high school and knowing the "quality" of workers in the back of the house. I've seem some nasty stuff done to people's food. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to food in my opinion. I like to buy and prepare my own stuff.
2006-12-29 07:39:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When i was in high school.....my friends and I walked to a burger place and ordered. An older man got up and my friend went over and ate this mans Fry's which were covered in ketchup. I thought i would die and went outside and waited for my order....but the worst thing i have ever seen was when my friend and i took our kids out to eat. we were talking a laughing and suddenly noticed that our kids were chewing gum.....when we asked where they got it......the answer was from under the table...yuck. But so far as your friend if it was anything else i would freak...but pizza...not so bad as long as no one else cared.....after all the reuse chips in Mexican restaurants.
2006-12-29 16:38:32 · answer #5 · answered by texasue77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's his health, not mine. Personally, I wouldn't risk eating something that a total stranger left behind on his plate. . .there are too many diseases that can be transmitted that way.
But if your friend wants to take chances with bacteria, viruses, and the good Lord only knows what else, it's his business. I would have tried to mind my own business, difficult though it might have been. (I am not always the most tactful person in the known universe.)
2006-12-29 10:11:32 · answer #6 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have said ewwww, and had been telling him not to eat it because you never know if someone is sick or has some type of disease.
But on the other hand, people all over the world are starving, that guy was just cleaning up someone's left-over food.
2006-12-29 12:51:03 · answer #7 · answered by Manda 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no reason to react at all.
Pointing out that you may find it disgusting serves no purpose. He didn't harm anyone and his action was sufficiently low key that it isn't likely to draw negative attention to you. It only reflects on him. Just because it was something that you or I might not have done is not sufficient reason to start an argument over it.
If the behavior bothers you enough, don't dine with him again. Otherwise live and let live.
2006-12-29 07:49:34 · answer #8 · answered by facade 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is pretty gross but I'm looking at it like this.... If your company had a pizza party, you would help yourself to the pizza along with everybody else. In a sense they too are strangers, because they all have diffrent habits. Chances are the pizza is perfectly fine but this is not proper ettiquite.
2006-12-29 07:22:44 · answer #9 · answered by Mike S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many people figure, that it's fine. The people obviously were done with their meal, and that food would've just been thrown away.
I do not believe it's socially acceptable in a restaurant, but I suppose he figured ''why buy something'' if there was food readily available.
I would've just refused to acknowledge his behavior.
2006-12-29 07:20:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being with a group of friends I would have laughed it off...now if we were on a date I would have been disgusted!! Depends on the situation for me! I agree w some of the other answers...why would his action effect you?
2006-12-29 08:03:34 · answer #11 · answered by luv2bme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋