Sharing in restaurants~

[FreshTressa]

DH and I went out to a restaurant that we have never been to before and ordered a meal to share with two waters. They had an extra plate fee, which is fine, and we gladly paid.

Well, I over heard our waitress call us cheapskates with a nod of her head to another waitress. (What, she thinks we have no EARS and no money!!)

Well, we are not cheap, just not huge eaters. Restaurant portions, in our opinion are too large for one person and are perfectly happy sharing. Also, we don't dring alcohol, soft drinks or coffee, so that leaves us water. It is not a money issue, but it is just that that is all the food that we want and I hate to order more just to waste it.

I think we really make waitstaff upset.

Do you think what we do is wrong?? Do waitstaff or other restaurant employees have a right to be upset with us?

 

[Manda1219]

Do you pay for the food? If so (and I'm sure you do, thats pretty much rhetorical)I see no problem. A pair of my favorite customers (when I worked at a restaurant) used to be two elderly women who would come in and split a plate of ziti and two glasses of water. Sure it took up my time, and they ussually left a $2 tip-but that's appropriate for what they ate! Would they complain if one customer came in and ordered a bowl of soup and a glass of water??
I think it's extremely rude of them to comment like that, especially within earshot. I would have said something to her and forgotten her tip. People are allowed to eat, it's a waiter/waitresses job to bring them what they want, no matter how little or how much.

 

[rdrjj5]

I agree with you. Why should you order food if you are not going to eat it and have it go to waste? You were paying customers and the waitstaff should not be upset with you unless you are rude to them, treat them with disrespect or do not tip appropriately for the service you receive.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I don't think there is anything wrong with what you do in a restaurant. I take offence at what the waitstaff did however. I would have complained to the manager myself.

I hope you left a tip comensorite with the service.

 

[Grog]

My SO and I do this from time to time. Depends on how big the portions are and if we are in a situation where we can get the leftovers home in a timely manner. If not, we split a meal. IF I had heard what the waitress said, I would have called her over and told her "I heard what you said, please call the manager as I would like to have a word". Then I would have left no tip. That was totally uncalled for.

 

[Pop Daddy]

you should eat more

 

[browneyes]

Do waitstaff or other restaurant employees have a right to be upset with us?

Nope, they shouldn't be upset with you.

It's funny, you never hear of people being upset about sharing at pizza places.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I think what you do is fine. Sometimes DH and I (with DD) just order a sampler platter or one of the big nachos they have for appetizers. Those things are HUGE! We always leave a good tip if we get good service.

The waitress was way out of line.

 

[Mari annie]

Maybe their tips were off for that day....
GEE I wonder why!!!!!
LOL!!!

Sharing is accecptable and everyone does it!

Don't let an ignorant gesture, stop you for doing what you want to do!

Bon Appetito!

Manga Manga!!!

 

[Pat]

In the winter time we don't share as much as I bring the extra home and make another meal or two out of it.

In the summer we sometimes split an entree as we don't know when we will be able to get it refrigerated.

The restaurants are serving such large portions now. Then they have all those good appetizers to start. By the time I am finished with my share of the appetizer and my salad, I am about full.

 

[Samandmom]

Today I went out to lunch with my Aunt and Grandmother. They ordered the vegetable lasagna lunch special and told the waitress they were going to share. She said no problem. When the food comes they had their lasagna come to them in two separte plates. So Auntie and Grandma thought the waitress misunderstood them. But when the bill came they were charge for just the one lunch special. What you do is perfectly normal.

 

[DocRafiki]

Of course it's ok or they wouldn't let you do it. I do think that you should tip at a higher percentage, though, if you do that, IF service is good. It would be just like using a coupon -- the waiters shouldn't get stiffed just because you have a coupon or want to split your food. You should tip as if you had paid full price for two meals. Of course, I wouldn't have tipped anything in this case.

I have to say, I prefer to drink water in restaurants since they don't usually have the sodas I like to drink. Sometimes I order a soda just BECAUSE I don't want to look cheap, even if I don't want it! I did that the other day when my boss took me out... I thought a salad and water would make it look like I was trying to eat cheaply for his sake, and that might be insulting. Silly... I know.

 

[battricia]

sometimes when I go out to eat I just get a bowl of soup and a soda. I also usually leave a tip that's about 90% of the meal, if I do that. If I had heard the waitress say that, I would have not only left NO tip, I probably would have had the manager come over and tell them exactly what I heard. What you do is just fine, different people have different appetites, and just because yours is light doesn't mean you shouldn't ever eat out. That waitress was just rude!


tricia.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

My Sister and I do this all the time as does my Mother (We even do this at Disney) So many places serve such large helpings of food to justify the price, then you have way to much. We always tip for two though. Even tip extra if food is served already split.

 

[kozmo]

My mom and i split stuff all the time,my mom is older and just does not eat a lot,i am a good tipper and i was a waitress at one time,and a good one,the waitress you had was very rude and had a bad attitude problem,she should find another job!!

 

[TammyNC]

DH & I do this quite often. I agree that the portions they serve out is way too much anymore and there is no need in ordering it if you aren't going to eat it.

I think the wait staff was way out of line, even though we might split a meal, we usually don't split the tip. If they wanted to complain they should have at least stepped farther away from you.

 

[Serena]

I agree that the waitstaff was way out of line. They are supposed to be serving you, not commenting on how much and what you eat.

 

[Manda1219]

There's actually a great place around here for sharing...It's called Harolds New York Deli...It's owned by the same people as Carnegie Deli. Everything on the menu is supposed to be shared with anywhere from 1-8 people!!! The portions are HUGE and they're not really expensive. There's no additional charge for sharing, as you are expected to do so. I was pretty shocked when I went there w/my boyfriend because we were each going to order a hamburger (it was about $8-9-which is what we typically pay-maybe even a little less than what we pay-in restaurants around here) the waiter told us it was meant for two people and when it arrived we knew why! It was two patties and an extra bun, the fries could have easily served 4! I like places like that

 

[Rajah]

As long as it's not a buffet or something that has a no-sharing policy, I see no problem with it at all. Just with the staff. (Who would have gotten a 1-cent tip and possibly a note or at least a comment card after overhearing that comment).

 

[mommytotwo]

I don't think anything is wrong with it. I think that the waitstaff might think that the more the bill is, the higher their tip may be.