Is it rude...

[DopeyDonald]

Wow - thanks for all of the nice replies!! I feel much better about this now. I will go and enjoy my soup and salad!! lol There probably will be a dessert too - after looking at those cupcakes - yum! Thanks again

 

[TDC Nala]

I should have said I'd probably throw in a couple of beers at BOG too.

 

[Fratthouse]

I'm so glad you asked this question, because I have been wondering the same thing myself! My DH and I are not big eaters, so we will often order 1 appetizer and 1 entre and split them both. I always feel a little self-conscious that maybe I'm being socially inappropriate, so it's good to hear that lots of other people do this as well!

 

[DopeyDonald]

I'm so glad you asked this question, because I have been wondering the same thing myself! My DH and I are not big eaters, so we will often order 1 appetizer and 1 entre and split them both. I always feel a little self-conscious that maybe I'm being socially inappropriate, so it's good to hear that lots of other people do this as well!

Socially inappropriate - EXACTLY what I was trying to say! Thanks! I could only come up with rude - lol

 

[VillianDiva]

I don't think it's rude at all!

We do this at Sci-Fi (for Milkshakes), LTT (dessert), and Le Cellier (for the soup).

We don't hang around all day and I've never had anyone be rude to me because of it.

 

[GillianP1301]

If a server ever gave me a hard time for only ordering an app or dessert or anything other than a 3 course meal, then that server would go without a tip.

It's not rude at all, it's your money to spend as you wish. Everyone has equally opportunity to make ADRs, so no need to feel guilty at all. Lots of times, if I know I want a dessert, I'll forego a main course and just do app/dessert because I know that I just can't eat a full main course and a dessert. I've never been given a hard time about it at Disney or anywhere else.

 

[winterman]

Many times over the last 10 years I have ordered an appetizer and soup or salad. (And, I must admit, usually dessert.) Never was there even a hint of displeasure from the server.

 

[irazabul]

I know from where the OP is asking the question. DW and I are not big eaters and we used to share one appetizer, one entree, and if there is any room left over, one dessert. What's worse is that DW almost always is plenty satisfies with just water, and me, not being a drinker, just soda or iced tea. Recently, we went to a nice restaurant and after we ordered, the waiter said "that's it, you're sharing an appetizer and entree and one soda?" He said it in a very displeasing manner and it made my wife so self concious that she order a glass of wine (which neither of us enjoyed). We chalked it up to a single bad incident. Next time we went to another "nice" restaurant and almost the exact same thing happened.

Unfortunately, my wife is so uptight about it now that she automatically orders her own entree, which she very rarely finishes. Too bad a couple of experiences has forced her into something she wouldnt normall do.

 

[irazabul]

Oh, and I meant to include that it did NOT happen at WDW.

 

[Nancy F]

It's not rude. Order what you like. You're the one paying for it.
Nancy

 

[Heva2015]

I know from where the OP is asking the question. DW and I are not big eaters and we used to share one appetizer, one entree, and if there is any room left over, one dessert. What's worse is that DW almost always is plenty satisfies with just water, and me, not being a drinker, just soda or iced tea. Recently, we went to a nice restaurant and after we ordered, the waiter said "that's it, you're sharing an appetizer and entree and one soda?" He said it in a very displeasing manner and it made my wife so self concious that she order a glass of wine (which neither of us enjoyed).

I have had similar experiences - I always feel like the server thinks I'm doing it to save money which I'm not!

 

[Sadie22]

Since I was diagnosed with diabetes, I have become more conscious of when servers try to push more food on me. It does not happen often, but when it does I have learned to assert myself. I will politely explain that I need to eat in a manner that is healthy for me, so no, I do not want to add that whatever it is. At WDW that means my big-eater husband and I can share meals, because the portions are often too large for even him. On our next trip, we may very likely have only salad, soup, and bread for lunch at Le Cellier, and we may share a main dish at Be Our Guest. We want to enjoy our vacation, not get sick from over-eating.

 

[SweetMissy]

Nothing on the menu sounds too appealing to me either. We just want to go because it's a new restaurant and the atmosphere looks amazing! Who cares what you order. It's your belly and your bill.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think it depends on the restaurant and the particular server. Not all servers are there to make you happy, as we have learned from recent reviews, they are there just for the money.

Oh sure, there are some servers who shouldn't have that job. And if someone is rude and obviously disdainful about what we order, then we have a chat with the manager.

A server at Disneyland's Cafe Orleans made my birthday meal (on my actual birthday! during their birthday celebration year! should have been special) really lousy with his lack of service and obvious doting over the big-eater tables surrounding us. We could have been in and out inside of 45 minutes while lingering, and he caused us to be there nearly twice that, most of the time spent WAITING.

What that got him was a conversation with the manager after DH took the manager aside. It was my birthday, DH was in charge of paying, and DH LOVES to tip. He blew that opportunity. I hope he either learned something after the manager got to him, or he moved on to a different position.

We want to enjoy our vacation, not get sick from over-eating.

Absolutely. See my ticker; my appetite has CHANGED over the last year, and I simply cannot eat how I used to eat. And at Disney I'm usually so hot (or cold, december 2010, brr) that I don't eat much (we always lose weight at Disneyland and DisneyWorld) anyway, so my orders are getting smaller and smaller. I have NO interest in walking around in physical pain (except for after Tusker House), or paying more than I want to pay for something I won't eat, because I worry about the server.

If I am being bothered by the server, I talk to the manager.

 

[writersblock42]

Order whatever you want. It is your meal and you are paying for it. That is why I hate it when many restaurants in Florida do a split plate fee. Why should I have to pay more for the same food? I think the only rude thing is if you stay for a really long time because then somebody is waiting for your table. My SIL used to go to places likes Denny's and play cards all nights and order a couple of drinks and that was it. Drove the servers crazy.

 

[Lady Hiss]

I'm with all the other posters - order whatever your heart desires. It's your money and your vacation!

I do find it interesting that so many of us don't need the huge portions that most restaurants serve. I've wished for some time that they'd offer half sized meals for us light eaters. I hate ordering a full sized meal only to end up leaving more than half of it on the plate. Either that, or I end up feeling sick afterwards when I've tried to eat it all. Not everyone wants or needs mega-portions! That's why I love tapas restaurants!

 

[aristocatz]

As an aside, just wanted to mention if you show up at Le Cellier when they are not busy & go over to the hostess stand, you can order some cheese soup to go. My brother did this on his last trip & I've read about other people on here doing this as well.