Restaurant servers removing plates from the table before everyone is finished

[nile455]

This is one of those little things that always bugged me more than other people. I always felt it's rude for the server to remove plates from the table before everyone is finished. It makes the remaining person/s with a plate feel like they're a slow eater and that they need to hurry it up. It also makes me feel like the server wants us to hurry and get out. Definitely not the sign of a quality restaurant.

I also find it annoying when a server passes by and sees my half eaten plate and asks "can I take your plate from you?". Like if I'm not actually biting into my food the moment they pass by, they assume I'm finished and that I want my plate cleared.

 

[yoopermom]

I agree, but I'm also the slowest eater in the family .

We taught our DS growing up that no one was allowed to be excused from the table until *everyone* was done eating, sort of the same thing, we never wanted anyone to feel rushed.

Terri

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Why wouldn't people want their finished plates out of the way?

 

[cluvsdisney]

I hate that especially when they ask if you want dessert while they are taking away the empty plate. Um, no. Why would one of us order dessert while the other is still eating dinner?

 

[yoopermom]

Why wouldn't people want their finished plates out of the way?

When you're the hostess for a meal at home with company, do you remove peoples plates as they finish, or do it all at once when everyone is done? We don't start eating until everyone is eating, and no one gets up (to clean up or be excused) until everyone is done.

Terri

 

[Kaytie]

I also find it annoying when a server passes by and sees my half eaten plate and asks "can I take your plate from you?". Like if I'm not actually biting into my food the moment they pass by, they assume I'm finished and that I want my plate cleared

Even "better" - I was in a restaurant with some friends. Our waitress had three tables: a couple she apparently knew well, a table of businessman, and us four middle-aged women (so maybe you can tell which party got the worst service and the least attention?) We started with appetizers. The waitress decided we were through, and took the plates - including one from my friend as she was bringing a forkful of food to her mouth.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

When you're the hostess for a meal at home with company, do you remove peoples plates as they finish, or do it all at once when everyone is done? We don't start eating until everyone is eating, and no one gets up (to clean up or be excused) until everyone is done.

Terri

That's quite different. If I have family and friends over, I'm eating with them. In a restaurant the server is not eating with us. Further everyone takes their own plate into the kitchen as we don't hire a server at home.

 

[Meriweather]

I don't mind them clearing the places as people finish......they usual say something like "let me give you more room"
Fine with me

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

So you're the one in the situation that is left to feel rushed I take it.

My opinion is why do I want an empty plate sitting in front of me?

As long as I'm not getting up and leaving the person that is still eating they should not feel rushed at all.

I also don't think the server is trying to rush you out of there just trying to be attentive.

As for them asking you if you're done when you still have food they may be noticing that you are taking quite a while to finish and maybe its because you'd like a take home box due to being full or something.

I guess each person takes gestures in their own way.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

When you're the hostess for a meal at home with company, do you remove peoples plates as they finish, or do it all at once when everyone is done? We don't start eating until everyone is eating, and no one gets up (to clean up or be excused) until everyone is done.

Terri

Actually often times I'll start doing dishes as each person is finished. Still gives everyone a chance to talk since we are all in the same room. Plus the sooner I'm done cleaning up the sooner we can move into the family room to chat or clean off the kitchen table to play a game and have a drink.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

That's quite different. If I have family and friends over, I'm eating with them. In a restaurant the server is not eating with us. Further everyone takes their own plate into the kitchen as we don't hire a server at home.

Hmm I doubt many people hire a server for their home but I remove all the plate from the table and wash them instead of having each individual bring their plate to the sink.

 

[Elle23]

I don’t mind them taking my dishes when I’m done. It’s better than sitting there staring at a bunch of mangled up food scraps and dirty utensils.

 

[ashley0139]

I can't imagine possibly caring about this. I guess that's why they call them pet peeves. I have mine, but this is definitely not one of them. I appreciate when they take plates away early so that there is more room. But I don't care either way.

 

[neverlandsky]

I don’t like it either. When my fork is flipped, I’m done. Yet now days not a lot of servers know what that means.

 

[dotfurio]

I actually prefer them to clear the plates as we finish. Then again, I'm a fast eater and the kids are usually the slowest. I'd rather have my space clean while I wait.

 

[bcla]

Some of you guys would have fun with the old fashioned way that dim sum used to be served. The tab was supposed to be counted up by the total number of serving plates, baskets, etc. They would literally pile up since they wouldn't count them until the bill was tabulated. There are stories about waterfront/floating restaurants in Hong Kong where they ended up with missing plates because customers were tossing them out the window in order to reduce the final bill.

 

[mom2rtk]

When you're the hostess for a meal at home with company, do you remove peoples plates as they finish, or do it all at once when everyone is done? We don't start eating until everyone is eating, and no one gets up (to clean up or be excused) until everyone is done.

Terri

Our table at home is larger than most restaurant tables. At a restaurant I appreciate them removing all the dirty plates so I don't feel like I'm right on top of them.

I don’t like it either. When my fork is flipped, I’m done. Yet now days not a lot of servers know what that means.

I've never heard of this.

 

[IAHFTPT]

It's doubly frustrating when the server is dressed in her cheerleader uniform.

 

[nile455]

I don’t like it either. When my fork is flipped, I’m done. Yet now days not a lot of servers know what that means.

I was always taught you put your fork and knife parallel on your plate to indicate you are done. But then, I have somewhat of a European upbringing. Not sure it's as common in the US.

 

[Disneylover99]

This is one of those little things that always bugged me more than other people. I always felt it's rude for the server to remove plates from the table before everyone is finished. It makes the remaining person/s with a plate feel like they're a slow eater and that they need to hurry it up. It also makes me feel like the server wants us to hurry and get out. Definitely not the sign of a quality restaurant.

It's always bugged me too. But I feel it's the norm these days. Years ago it seems they didn't do this very often. Maybe most servers are trained to clear as soon as possible now?

I also find it annoying when a server passes by and sees my half eaten plate and asks "can I take your plate from you?". Like if I'm not actually biting into my food the moment they pass by, they assume I'm finished and that I want my plate cleared.

I usually hold onto my fork until I'm completely finished. Then the servers don't seem to ask. But yeah, if you put your fork down to take a drink, there's a good chance someone will come by to ask if they can take your plate.