Some restaurants and hotels are concerned at the amount of food some people are grabbing, especially when they don't eat it all and leave half of it on their plate.
Mark Graham, landlord of the Star Inn in Penzance, Cornwall, now charges £2.40 a person for buffet "excess leftovers". A few spuds is obviously no problem, he told a customer who complained, but buffet behaviour was out of control, citing a plate "piled so high you could put a ladder and a flag on top of it."
When Jenny and I stay at the Premier Inn, we always opt for their buffet breakfast and have a generous amount of cold and cooked food to set us up for the day's wanderings. But we don't take more than we need.
Surely those people who leave half their food must realise they're taking far too much, so why do they do it?
Do they imagine they're in some kind of eating contest? Are they trying to get a bigger and better paunch? Is it some kind of comfort eating? I don't get it.
Careful how you eat. A Liverpool woman dislocated her jaw trying to eat a triple burger
We generally don’t have buffets around anymore, except in Vegas. But I didn’t think about the ‘free’ breakfasts that some hotels offer. I’ve never noticed people overdoing that, probably because the food is never that good!
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Interesting that you don't generally have buffets in the States. They're very common here, not only at hotels but for events like conferences.
DeleteI don't think there are many, or any, buffets here anymore, either. I never cared for the food so they weren't my choice in dining. As far as why people do stupid or greedy things.....that's a question for the ages.
ReplyDeleteSandra: No, the food at buffets is usually of low quality, so it's surprising they're still so popular.
DeleteNick, we never have breakfast or eat in the hotel where we stay . We always look for a nice little café , same for lunch or dinner. We are not eating very much , but we love good food. I assisted once to a goodbye buffet for a big boss and the behaviour of the guests was as if they had not eaten anything for days. I found it quite repulsive. Wasting food is something I cannot stand , I saw too many people starving in many countries.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: Other than breakfast, we also try to find little local places to eat. I agree with you about not wanting to waste food. People are too casual about throwing away good food they never got round to eating.
DeleteThe hideous scramble round a buffet is enough on its own to cut your appetite.....let alone having to carry your own plates to and fro.
ReplyDeleteFly: Yes, everyone jostling everyone else to get at the food is a bit much.
DeleteBuffets can be helpful. I know in my family everyone likes different foods. There is always something for each of us. As for the overeating, no buffet has ever had that effect. Typically the are not all that great!
ReplyDeletePaula: That's true, you can pick out the things you're keen on.
DeleteIn my retirement community evening meals are buffet. It seems to take new residents a while to not overload their plates, but eventually the weight gain causes them to reconsider.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: It's very tempting to take enormous helpings of things, just because you can.
DeleteI never "get my money's worth" from a buffet. I simply cannot eat that much at one sitting. I hate feeling stuffed so I don't even try. I do, however, like to have a large selection from which to choose.
ReplyDeleteAt a regular restaurant, I often ask for a "to go box" when I order my meal. I put at least half the food they bring in the box to have later. The portion sizes served in most restaurants in the US are simply ridiculous.
Linda
Linda: I guess the to-go box is what we call a doggie bag (leftovers to give the dog - or the dog's owner). Asking for a doggie bag is very common here.
DeleteAdmittedly, we have been to buffets, Nick, usually at Chinese restaurants. Thankfully, there are none in Nashua, so we're not tempted. On our travels abroad, breakfast was usually served buffet style which we appreciated especially with the variety of healthy choices.
ReplyDeleteBTW, keen eye on spotting the supposed misspelling of Sophia Loren's name on the Montecatini Walk of Fame. But, actually, her name was Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone and she was known professionally as Sophia Loren.
Beatrice: Yes, if buffets include healthier options than a standard breakfast, that's an advantage.
DeleteAh, so Sofia was in fact her original name. I thought it was odd that a plaque would be misspelt.
Those hotel chains, like Holiday inn, do decent breakfasts. But, to be honest, after a modest plate, I'm actually done. So, I'm like you.
ReplyDeleteAnd my god, that story about a girl dislocating her jaw. How far does one have to open a mouth before common sense kicks in!! Haha. That story made me laugh, its so ridiculous. :)
Liam: I wouldn't even try to eat a triple burger. How on earth do people manage it?
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