Re: Splitting meals?
- From: Alan S <nothere@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2006 18:27:46 +1000
On Tue, 04 Apr 2006 23:51:21 -0700, Owlman <owlman@xxxxxxx>
wrote:
We've often found it mentioned that various countries are especially
known for large meal portions, e.g., Belgium, Germany and Italy.
My wife and I both have pretty healthy appetites, but we just don't
eat as much food as we once did. We often take food home to eat the
next day.
How do European restauranteurs look upon people who split a single
meal? Do they charge more to do that? Are there any social taboos
associated with doing it that we should be aware of?
I appreciate your comments.
Stan
Hi Stan
In 2003 we probably left a trail behind us, through all the
countries of Western Europe and the USA, of restaurateurs
moaning about the "cheapskate Aussies". Well, hopefully not,
but maybe.
I'm a type 2 diabetic on a fairly strict self-imposed
lowish-carb diet. My wife needs to stand on a book on
tiptoes to reach five feet. So, in a five-month rtw trip we
shared most of our meals.
Where possible I would quietly check with the boss chef or
waiter first. Bearing in mind that I speak only Strine, that
wasn't always possible - but often enough to be useful. I
would explain that we simply wanted one main course, an
extra plate and (if it wasn't already on the table) extra
cutlery. It may sound awkward - but it was a lot easier than
explaining that I didn't want starches or breads or cereals
or....
Often, even after splitting them, the serves were so big
that we still left food on the plate.
When it looked like creating difficulties or embarrassment,
I would order the main course for my wife and a side salad
or garden salad for myself. Then, when it arrived we would
simply transfer some of the main dish onto my plate when I
had made some space for it. We were never charged extra.
The USA was the only place we had problems. Some refused,
some wanted to charge extra for a plate. We found the
problems disappeared as soon as we explained to the waiter
that we would tip as though we had ordered two mains.
Usually we tipped, in those cases, 25-30%.
There were a couple of places that refused point-blank to
provide an extra plate or cutlery (that was easy - we left),
and I was circumspect if eating out with hosts or guests;
but I can't remember a single incident of embarrassment or
snide remarks from other diners.
And, incidentally, we saved a fortune on the food bill over
five months of travelling (as Aussie cheapskates:-)
I continue to spend a month or two each year doing the same
thing while travelling in Oz.
Cheers, Alan, Australia
.
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