Dining Out - Pleasurable or Painful?

[David In Indy]

What no doggy bags?? We do it all the time here unless its a really exspensive restaurant. The ONLY thing I don't like about doggy bags is if the waiter leaves the bag and box for me to fill. Thats a bit too tacky for me.

I almost always have to ask for a doggie bag. Or a box. Sometimes it is a box. A styrofoam box. A doggie box I guess. Restaurant portions around here are WAAAAY too large. It's such a waste. And I know if I don't ask for a doggie bag, (or box   ) they will just throw it away and I can't tolerate something like that.

My Mom used to say "there are starving people in China" when I was young. That always stuck in my mind. Wasting food is a terrible thing. So, I take it back home and heat it up the next day for lunch... and give a little to Cody too. He always gets a little treat in his bowl later on!

[Lynne]

The only problem I have sitting at the bar is that

1) smokers sit at the bar.  I don't smoke and don't like the smell when I'm trying to eat

2) I'm short.  The bar stool and bar are normally higher than I can comfortably sit and eat (I'm not reaching down for my food and drink, I'm practically reaching across)

I can relate; #1 is just about obsolete everywhere I've been in the past few years - many city ordinances have seen to it that places that serve food are now smoke-free.  Though I guess it's not nationwide yet.  I agree that I won't sit at the bar if it's smoking.

#2 is a problem I also have; it's like I've developed a second set of manners for bar food.   

[Lynne]

What no doggy bags?? We do it all the time here unless its a really exspensive restaurant. The ONLY thing I don't like about doggy bags is if the waiter leaves the bag and box for me to fill. Thats a bit too tacky for me.

Yes, I'm all about the doggie bags too.  I've got mixed feelings about who does the preparation.  I don't mind preparing it myself.  Only higher end places prepare it for you, in my experience, so I guess I'm used to it.

[David In Indy]

Yes, I'm all about the doggie bags too.  I've got mixed feelings about who does the preparation.  I don't mind preparing it myself.  Only higher end places prepare it for you, in my experience, so I guess I'm used to it.

You mean you trust them with the cooking but you don't trust them to place your leftovers in a bag Lynne?

Good lord! The cooking part is the scariest part (in my opinion). Putting it into a bag is the least of MY worries!

[Lynne]

You mean you trust them with the cooking but you don't trust them to place your leftovers in a bag Lynne?

Good lord! The cooking part is the scariest part (in my opinion). Putting it into a bag is the least of MY worries!

No, it's not a matter of trust.  The whole process is an act of faith. 

It's just can be awkward to do it yourself, but most places don't pack it for you, so I guess I don't expect it.

[David In Indy]

No, it's not a matter of trust.  The whole process is an act of faith. 

It's just can be awkward to do it yourself, but most places don't pack it for you, so I guess I don't expect it.

I know what you mean sweetie. I've seen some very disturbing videos on CNN, MSNBC, CourtTV and others. After seeing those videos it makes me want to never go out to a restaurant again.

But I don't want to bring THAT up just now. Needless to say, it's always wise to be nice... very nice to your waiter or waitress.

[ifyoucantfixit]

       I love the concept of doggie bags.  We have a dog, and he gets very upset if we go out to eat, and dont bring him back a treat.  He is spoilt, what can I say?

[Lynne]

       I love the concept of doggie bags.  We have a dog, and he gets very upset if we go out to eat, and dont bring him back a treat.  He is spoilt, what can I say?

In a nonpartisan nonpetison spirit, I want to add that back before my mom usurped custody of my kitties from me (the Boston era), I would always order Caesar salad with anchovies, then pack up the anchovies for Oberon & Titania.  They were wild for anchovies!  The folks at my regular haunts knew to do it for me without me even having to ask!

 

In summary, a kittie bag is a viable option too!

[opinionista]

that must be american. You dont really do doggy bags in the UK.

In Spain neither. Sometimes I do ask for a doggy bag especially when there are too much leftovers, and my friends think it is embarrassing. I'm like, why? We paid for the food, it ours!

[CellarDweller]

My Mom used to say "there are starving people in China" when I was young.

I have a friend who went to her grandmother's house for dinner.  Grandma made a meal that my friend didn't like, so she refused to eat it.  This exchange took place:

Gramma:  "You eat that meal!  There are millions of starving people in China that would love to have it!"

friend:  "Oh yeah?  Name three!"

She was made to leave the table, which is what she wanted in the first place.