Buffet etiquette

[savethecat]

Scenario:
There is a queue at a buffet of about 12 dishes. You are about 5th or 6th in the queue for the buffet and just want one item which is the very last dish on the buffet. The queue is slowly moving down with each person stopping at each dish.

There is no-one at all at the buffet from dish 4 down as the latest person on the buffet is taking their time, having a chat, having a good look etc.

Is it acceptable to go past people, grab your one item at the end of the buffet and leave?

OR

Should you just follow the queue past each dish with your empty plate until you get to the last dish?

YABU - queue and wait until you reach your choice
YANBU- just go past the queue to your choice

It's a BUFFET, there's no such thing as a "main", that's the whole point.

No, the word “buffet” describes how the food is served, not what food is served.

And there’s no need to shout. Just voice your opinion calmly, like everyone else on the thread.

@FairytaleofButlins
Every buffet I've ever served has had finger food style starters and then a selection of mains like curries and rice, chicken fajitas etc and then puddings at the end.

but unlike a sit-down meals, you are not expected to have a starter, main, salad, desert, cheese.

It's expected that people will help themselves to whatever they fancy.. again, that is the whole point.

It doesn't mean you are expected to pile up your plate with half the buffet.

FamilyOfAliens If I want to highlight a word, I will, you are not the forum police my dear

I'd jump the queue.

Goodness, queuing at buffets is madness! Definitely nip to what you want. As long as you’re not wrestling the serving spoon off someone it’s all good. And yes, buffets should be a selection of food with plenty of vegetarian options or varied dietary choices for all (that’s usually why people choose to serve a buffet) so if there’s only 1 veggie option it’s just a poorly planned buffet. I personally would indeed choose a half portion of the veggie curry alongside a half portion of the meat curry and wouldn’t feel in the slightest guilty about that.