Buffet Etiquette

[lyzziesmom]

If I am only going to get one thing from the buffet, say I'm going back for 2nds on something or grabbing one thing I forgot, is it necessary to wait in the entire buffet line, or is it acceptable to just go to the desired item and get it during a 'break' in the line? Is that considered line jumping? I can never figure this out! I am a single mom and when it is just me & my kids, sometimes I will quick run up to get one more thing and leave the kids (7yo and 2yo) at the table. I get very nervous leaving them where I may not be able to see them for more than a few seconds.

Any opinions?

 

[CheshireVal]

My DH had this problem once at the Cape May buffet. It was very crowded and there was a long line, but he only wanted one thing, whereas everyone else was lined up to make their way around the buffet. After standing on the fringes of the line trying to figure out what to do, he asked someone who was standing in line if he could squeeze in to get to the clam chowder. The guy responded, "well, where am I supposed to go?"

Unfortunately, I don't think there really is much etiquette to it. If you only need one thing, and it will take you five seconds to get it, I probably wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Pumbaa_]

If the buffet is packed and there is no 'break', sounds like you should wait in line. We usually go off peak times and that is what we do. The first trip we meander through the line to see what we really want and then subsequent trips we just get the item we want.

 

[SarahKate]

Yes, I definitely believe that it is socially "acceptable" to jump in if you are just needing one certain thing. The only time I would choose not to do this is if the line was quickly catching up to the spot where I wanted to be. But if I see a nice gap where my desired food is, I will always go for it.

 

[powellrj]

if there is a large gap and you are not holding up the line, its fine to break in, but it drives me crazy when I have been waiting in line only to have someone come up that hasn't been waiting and cut in and then keep those of us in line waiting again on them.

 

[bluejasmine]

I agree it should be acceptable to ask someone if you can grab an item.. I always let ppl do that when they need to, honestly I dont see the big deal it only takes a min..
JMHO

 

[lyzziesmom]

Whew! I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one! Usually people are really nice about it, but once in a while someone will give me dirty looks or kind of squeeze me out of the line and I thought Oh No! I'm doing something rude!!

 

[bluejasmine]

Whew! I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one! Usually people are really nice about it, but once in a while someone will give me dirty looks or kind of squeeze me out of the line and I thought Oh No! I'm doing something rude!!

I just dont understand ppl like that.. I believe in Karma what goes around comes around, pay it forward and all that..lol

 

[Dreamfinder2]

In a setting like Cape May, where there is not one single line, but several sides, I think politely asking, "may I slip in here for another serving of clams?" is entirely appropriate. If there is one long serving line, I'd think waiting your turn might be a little more polite.

Surely Miss Manners or someone has a rule on this. I'd like to know what's proper here, just so I can dazzle others with my courtesy.

 

[english rose 47]

Maybe I'll send DGS up he's 5 and wouldn't care if someone gave him a dirty look!I agree sometimes you forget something like butter , a roll or whatever, as long as you not cutting for the whole buffet only a "Grouch" would care! So all you Oscars out there stay home.

 

[momrek06]

This is an interesting Thread....hhmmmm....sneaking in....I do not care if someone wants to sneak in....every buffet I was ever at WDW or anywhere for that matter, kids are always up and down, leaving their tables, and hoping to get something different to try or repeat a neat dessert. Kids and Buffets..they LOVE them...

That being said...the first person that gives you a dirty look or strange stare or makes a comment...undoubtedly it will be his or her child you are backing up for so they can get at the Buffet (moments later).

I would probably WAIT until there is a BREAK. ESP if the item you want requires a SPOON or TONGS (most do) (some desserts do not)! That being the case, the person you are cutting in on, the person NEXT to get the SPOON, will be the angry one. Best to evaluate the scene, OP, wait for a BREAK....then tell the kids to stay seated, you will be right back...then make your mad dash to the Buffet.

ONE MORE THING....When checking into your Buffet, suggest to the Host or Hostess that you would like/LOVE a table CLOSEST to the Buffet. Explain you are alone with two children and do not like leaving them at the table while you go up to the Buffet. (Just an idea)!!!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Well, I just took a few minutes for a little research (see what a valuable service the Disboards renders?) Or maybe I'm just being anal retentive.

Check these out. This first one seems to be the most comprehensive:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_20050415/ai_n13615619

This made me laugh:
http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/yum/Content?oid=oid:65312

This is a much more "refined" discussion:
http://www.uliveandlearn.com/lessons/lesson.cfm?lesid=205&pg=1

And this one is mostly cut to the chase:
http://www.torontosun.com/SpecialSections/ReadersChoice/2005/12/02/1334329.html

So, there y'are.

 

[momrek06]

Well, I just took a few minutes for a little research (see what a valuable service the Disboards renders?) Or maybe I'm just being anal retentive.

.

WOW, great research. As the saying goes..."you learn something NEW every day"...!!!

SO there you go...NO CUTTING IN LINE. I always eat from my plate..a BIG no no!!! I do not generally cut...but never saw a problem with it...also a BIG no no!!! Always a clean plate...BINGO...THAT I AT LEAST DID!!!

THANKS for the articles. So OP, I would def ask for the CLOSEST table to the BUFFET!!!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Such was the common wisdom ... but still, if there's an obvious gap, and you're polite about it, I'd still slip in.

 

[TSWJan78]

The only thing I will add here is it depends on what you are getting.. if there is a line for the carved roast beef and that is all you need than I would wait... If you need a chicken leg that means you can grab it and run.. go for it. Does this make sense?!?

 

[The Sweetness]

Well... I guess I am rude then. I am often having lunch or dinner at a local buffet. If I want something from the carving station, I wait in that specific line. If I am at the salad corner, for instance, and I have my salad made, needing only the dressing, I will go around anyone still assembling the salad, and wait for the scoop I want for dressing, If someone is already using it.

Thats just what I do. I dont stand behind 4 ppl waiting for fried chicken, if what I wanted was a couple of ribs etc... Thats what I see others do as well, so I( never thought it was rude. The clean plate thing goes without saying.

It may however be rude, to sample things from your plate, while still filling your plate (such as eating a fried shrimp while waiting for the spoon to get rice etc...) It may also be rude to fill your plate to the point that it overflows a bit on the way back to your seat, or trying to carry so many things at once that you are inevitably going to dump something (possibly even on someone elses shoe etc...)Just for the record, I dont do those things, I am perfect

 

[Mickey1122]

When there aren't a ton of people up there, I'd say yes, but if there is a long line, I would say wait.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A lot depends on the way the buffet is set up. Check to see the location of the plates. If there are several locations where you can pick up plates, such as at Boma, the line is designed afor segmentation. If there is only one plate location then the buffet is set up for only the one line.

 

[Sammie]

I agree with the others, that if there is a large enough gap in the line that you can get what you need and not make anyone else wait while you are doing it, then it's acceptable. If not, then go to the end and work your way up to what you need.

The other problem is some people have no idea which way the line is going anyway. They come from both ends.

 

[The Sweetness]

Good point! I have never seen a buffet where people werent serving themselves from both sides of the table. If I need a spoon/ tongs that someone else is using, I just wait until they are done with it, then continue on my merry lil way! That makes me feel much better about the whole *WAIT YOUR TURN!!!* issue