taking food home

35 replies

FunInTheSunD · 07/08/2013 18:22

I went out and had an indian meal with some friends last night. We ordered far to much and had loads left over so I asked if anyone wanted to take it home with them... they declined... I asked the waiter if he would mind if I took it home and he gave me a take away box... my friends looked at me like I was mad in a bemused manner..
Am I being unreasonable in not wanting to waste food?
does anyone else take home their left overs?
by the way... I had it for brunch and it was bloody lovely

OP posts:

Fakebook · 07/08/2013 19:10

Most Indians I've been to offer to pack up the left over food and we've always taken it. So do my friends. Your new friends are weird.

DeepPurple · 07/08/2013 19:10

I rarely have enough to worth taking home! I have taken it on the odd occasion when there was enough to be worth it. Once DH and I couldn't decide between dishes so we ordered 3 with the intention of taking home the left overs. I think it's perfectly acceptable.

In the US it is expected that you will. Only problem is if you are in a hotel then there is nowhere to put it!

raisah · 07/08/2013 19:14

If you have paid for it then why not take it away? In this economic climate, people are being a bit more sensible & cautious with their money. People can be snobby but in this climate we can't afford to be wasteful with our hard earned money.

AgentProvocateur · 07/08/2013 19:17

I would ask for a doggy bag in an Indian, but nowhere else, although I'm not sure why!

Gooseysgirl · 07/08/2013 19:20

YANBU, I always do this... leftover pizza is fab hangover grub, except leftovers usually don't make it to the next day in our house as DH gets his second food wind and eats it before bed!! Trying to remember what restaurant I've been in where they wrap the leftovers in foil and shape it like a swan

breatheslowly · 07/08/2013 19:24

I got strange looks in the US for not doing that. I was working there, so on expenses and had no desire to eat reheated leftovers when my company would pay for fresh food the next day. It seemed like some of the people I met there ate out every other day and ate the leftovers ever other day and never cooked.

In the UK I will do this when there is lots leftover - mostly Indian or pizza. They are also geared up for you to take stuff home.

FairPhyllis · 07/08/2013 19:27

If you have paid for it I don't see why you can't take it home - but what I don't like about it is the culture of people overordering/restaurants routinely giving ludicrous portions. This is routine in the US and I don't think it's a healthy thing.

I have also seen lots of people take stuff home and then never eat it.

Rewindtimeplease · 07/08/2013 19:33

Absolutely not unreasonable.

Although with a new group of friends, not sure I would have asked for a doggy bag to take home the groups leftovers!

Having said that, if a new friend had done that, it probably would have struck me as brave, if ever so slightly odd of them! And then I would not have given it a second thought

nannynewo · 07/08/2013 20:02

I previously worked in a chinese restaurant (Britain) and I would say AT LEAST 5 tables per shift would take their food home.

I always do it. Takeaway breakfast is the best :D

Tabby1963 · 07/08/2013 20:16

Quote from Xiaoxiong "One of my relatives in the States actually asks for half their food to be put into a takeaway box immediately, ie. as soon as it arrives at the table - I found that a little strange but they said it was to prevent them overeating when the portions are so huge"

That is such a good idea, we always take leftovers home and have them for breakfast the next morning. Mmmmm, curry for breakfast, a nice change from cereal lol.

Flip

1 2