Going to a restaurant to order food then hardly eat any of it - why?

[doorss]

I just don't get this. People come into a restaurant and order food. Its one of those restaurants you pay in advance. Food arrives, they just eat about a quarter of the dish - maximum. Then all leave with everyone in the group leaving loads of food left.

Why do people do this? If not hungry, don't eat. If pushing for time, don't eat. It's disgusting that people leave that amount of food. A bloody waste

Portion control. I find eat out portions huge for the most part. Also i find myself not hungry in the evenings but go out for the social aspect.

I like eating out but don’t have a big appetite. I rarely manage to finish my food at restaurants. If I just order starters and no mains, the restaurant staff seem to get offended. So what do I do?

Whether I finish my food or not, world poverty levels won’t be affected, so I don’t see the relevance of this sentiment.

I always ask for a doggy bag. Never been to a restaurant that wasn't ready to deal with the request with takeaway boxes to hand, even if they don't do takeaway. Clearly becoming a lot more common.

I think a lot of telly and film food isn't real food. It has to sit there for goodness knows how many takes whilst the actors get the lines and general feeling of the scene right.

Likewise, a lot of, "Serving suggestions" on food packaging is a complete lie. I think the classic example is mashed potato standing in for ice cream.

I am surprised at the poll result @doorss because I agree with you. I suppose one could say it's none of your business, but it's not unreasonable to be a bit disgusted by the food waste.

I have carveries with my DH 6-8 times a year or so, (at the local pub,) and I have got a bit too much food a few times, and wasted about a quarter of it, and I felt so guilty

I have learned to take less food now, and haven't wasted any for quite a while. I sometimes see people pile loads of food onto the plate, LOADS. Then when they get up and leave, they leave so much left on the plate, that it's virtually enough for a half decent meal for someone!

This mentality contributes to obesity

eating more than you require

because it would be wasteful not to, is like treating your body as a BIN

Yeah but what does any of that have to do with food already served by the restaurant, who determine portion sizes?

Packing food you don't want into your stomach when you're no longer hungry, isn't helping anyone, is it?

This is why I often order a starter rather than a main if I want a pudding. Main courses can be huge so yes I do leave some.

You're confused by the poll results because you've misunderstood the question.

OP is saying that in a restaurant where the restaurant portions the food, people should stuff themselves with food they don't like or don't want or even though they're full because it's "wasteful" to leave food on the plate but not "wasteful" to shove it down your gullet even though you don't want it.

The poll results are just saying that force-feeding yourself food you don't want is just as wasteful as leaving it on the plate.

Absolutely none of your business what people do with food they have paid for. Portion sizes increase because of people like you who are unable to stop eating when they’re full and will complain if they don’t get a huge serving of food. Are people really so lacking in imagination that they can’t understand that people have different appetites and many other reasons for not wanting to eat exactly the same amount of food as them? It makes fuck all difference to poverty levels in society as a whole if I don’t finish a plate of food in a restaurant.

I’m on MJ, so feel full quickly. Sometimes I’ll take what I haven’t eaten home in a takeaway box.

Friend has a stomach band she only orders fish now.

I think food in a restaurant tends to be richer and therefore I eat less than I would at home. I would much rather leave food on the plate than force it down and ruin the rest of my night feeling uncomfortable because I’ve eaten too much.

I’ve done this because the food was bloody disgusting.
Places cannot cater adequately for vegetarians or vegans. I’m sick to the back teeth of salad or shite crap vege burgers.

I bring Tupperware boxes when we eat out so if we can’t finish everything it’s leftovers the next night 😂

I’d love the option of smaller portions at restaurants. I’m going through cancer treatment and my appetite is small. I definitely couldn’t easily finish a standard restaurant meal.

Even when my dc get the children’s portion, it’s huge! More than I could eat let alone a 7 year old.

Or maybe the food is just inedible.

Some people have small appetites.

Iv found nandos not great the last two times we have been. Prefer pepe chicken

For the restaurant, it's probably better financially to charge more, offer large portions so customers don't moan its poor value, and fill up the plate with cheap carbs eg chips

If they offered smaller portions, customer would take just as long eating, require the same service, clean cutlery etc, but takings would be lower

We always ask for a box to take the rest home.

Because I’m an adult and I can eat whatever I like!

It took me 58 years to learn that I don't have to eat everything on my plate and that I can leave food if I choose to.

If this offends you, tough.

Maybe they only wanted to eat a little bit? If you don’t want any more you don’t have to eat it.

I love eating out and do so 2-3 times per week but typically portions are too big for me.

For an evening meal I’m only ever going to manage 1/2 a main course (especially if I’ve had a starter). So I’ve course I’ll only eat half. As a pp said, why would I treat myself like the rubbish bin.

Imagine getting mad over something absaloutey none of your business. The food has been cooked if it ends up in the bin or in the toilet eventually what difference does it make to you. Take some deep breaths and get over it before you make your own life miserable by judging others

Cause some of us have had Bariatric surgery and still like to eat out!
i eat what I want and leave the rest I’ve paid for it I can leave it