Is sharing meals in restaurants rude?

Answer 1

Unless the restaurant has a "no sharing" policy posted (usually in buffets), there's not a reason preventing people from sharing. American portions are so large that it's usually enough for two. I had a friend who lost a bunch of weight by simply splitting meals with his wife. I know another guy who has four kids. Whenever he goes out to eat with his family, he never orders. He just eats whatever is leftover on everyone else's plates. He's never left a restaurant hungry.

Answer 2

As someone who worked in a kitchen for years the only thing I see wrong with sharing is the expense to the restaurant for the server and the ware washing and other small things like this. I always liked it when each person ordering would each get something and ask for the items to be split in the kitchen. Maybe one just gets a side of a starch and the other orders a full meal. This covers costs for the restaurant and still keeps dining costs low.

Answer 3

Many smaller restaurants may not care, but I have seen many places, both large and small, ask a group to leave when they see two people sharing a plate or a meal, especially if it is a buffet.

I wouldn't advise it, personally, just because.

Answer 4

No, it is not rude. Most fine dining restaurants in my area charge a "plate fee" for splitting a meal. What would be rude is not leaving a tip based on the price of two of the meals you split.

Answer 5

I think it depends on the restaurant. If it is a really elegant one, with a maitre'd, cloth linens, etc. probably, it isn't a good idea. If you're talking about anything less than that, I'd say you're ok. Many times when my husband and I go to Applebees, we share deserts because they are just too big for one person. And we will sometimes share things off our dinner plates if it looks good and we ordered different dinners. Just use common sense.

Answer 6

I don't think so. Some people are really cheap, but as long as they leave a tip as though each ate a full meal. Of course, that probably doens't happen very often. I don't think it's rude....maybe a little inconsiderate, but if you're not hungry enough to eat a full portion, then it's your money you're wasting, esp. if you're out of town or something and cannot really get a to go box.

Answer 7

I don't think so. My Mom and Grandma go out to eat breakfast every Sunday and do this. They used to always go to one restaurant until the waitress told them they couldn't share anymore after they had been doing it for months?!?! So they never went there again. Except for that, they've never had a problem. I aso will go out to eat a lot with friends and we will all get drinks and share one or two appetizers and that's all. Just remember to tip well to make it worth their time!

Answer 8

My guy and I don't eat a lot and at times we really feel like sharing a meal. We would order an appetizer each, one entree and two desserts.

But the waiter would give us weird looks and service standards will drop. (My view)

I don't think sharing is rude but i hate it when the service crew express their unhappiness explicitly.

Answer 9

No way at a buffet. But it is perfectly alright to share a appetizer or even a main course. . My husband and I have bought one steak before with two salads and a extra potato. What is the harm?

Answer 10

In most restaurants, they don't care, but some of those 'fancy' or strict restaurants do and they might force you to buy 1 order for each person.