Community Chat

[151949]

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@debic wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

Removing plates too soon is the sign of poor service

Plates should remain on the table until everyone is finished. When a busser starts to clear my plate, I’ll often stop the person and say,  “Thank you, but I’ll wait until everyone’s finished.” I would like to think that I’m making the most of a teachable moment, but I’m not sure that’s the case.

The problem is that at many places the staff isn’t very well trained. I think in many cases the people removing the plates think they’re on top of things because they’ve never been taught otherwise.

Some chef owners aren’t always the best at hiring people to handle the front of the house, and since service is rarely seen as a career, the staff isn’t always invested in becoming truly professional.

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2012/10/09/removing-plates-to-soon-is-the-sign-of-poor-service/

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I disagree.  I love my plates removed if I'm done.  Usually they ask and I say "yes, please, thank you" Removing clutter is a good thing and someone voicing an opinion otherwise doesn't make them right.

I've never been in one where they leave them on the table until everyone is done, especially nice restaurants.   Even when I waited tables a million years ago that was protocol.

Keep the table clean.  I would also think the waiter wasn't paying much attention to us if the dishes remained on the table until everyone was done.    

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I agree - i don't want to sit there with a dirty , empty plate in front of me.

[Moonchilde]

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@debic wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

Removing plates too soon is the sign of poor service

Plates should remain on the table until everyone is finished. When a busser starts to clear my plate, I’ll often stop the person and say,  “Thank you, but I’ll wait until everyone’s finished.” I would like to think that I’m making the most of a teachable moment, but I’m not sure that’s the case.

The problem is that at many places the staff isn’t very well trained. I think in many cases the people removing the plates think they’re on top of things because they’ve never been taught otherwise.

Some chef owners aren’t always the best at hiring people to handle the front of the house, and since service is rarely seen as a career, the staff isn’t always invested in becoming truly professional.

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2012/10/09/removing-plates-to-soon-is-the-sign-of-poor-service/

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I disagree.  I love my plates removed if I'm done.  Usually they ask and I say "yes, please, thank you" Removing clutter is a good thing and someone voicing an opinion otherwise doesn't make them right.

I've never been in one where they leave them on the table until everyone is done, especially nice restaurants.   Even when I waited tables a million years ago that was protocol.

Keep the table clean.  I would also think the waiter wasn't paying much attention to us if the dishes remained on the table until everyone was done.  

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I completely agree. They always ask, and I nearly always say yes, thank you. I do not, however, say yes in 5-10 minutes' time. It is poor service if they do not ask and just reach to remove, and IMO very poor service and planning if soup/salad and entree comes out within 5 minutes of each other. I hate that.

[lulu2]

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@PeterDM wrote:

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@lulu2 wrote:

My father grew up in a house with 7 children as well as an unmarried aunts and 2 unmarried uncles.  He ate fast because if he didn't, he didn't get much to eat.  When we were kids and we went to get ice cream, my father was finished eating his cone before he got back to the car. 5 boys were born within 5 years (there were twins) and they shared a wardrobe. My father was always an early riser to get the pick of the wardrobe.

I worked as a server and we were told it was perfectly acceptable to clear the dishes of people who were (clearly) finished with their selection.

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You were taught incorrectly.  It is improper for a server to remove any plates until all guests have finished their meals, and their are numerous articles concerning this etiquette all over the Internet.

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Then I guess I should be glad there was no internet for diners to search when I worked as a server. (and thankfully it had no adverse effect on my tips) Nevertheless, I prefer to have my plate removed when I finish.   If they clear the entire table at once, I find it less than pleasant when they stack the dirty dishes and glasses on the table.

We eat out frequently at different levels of dining.  Many do remove plates sporadically. Often it is the bus boy/girl who clears the table.

[Noel7]

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@debic wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

Removing plates too soon is the sign of poor service

Plates should remain on the table until everyone is finished. When a busser starts to clear my plate, I’ll often stop the person and say,  “Thank you, but I’ll wait until everyone’s finished.” I would like to think that I’m making the most of a teachable moment, but I’m not sure that’s the case.

The problem is that at many places the staff isn’t very well trained. I think in many cases the people removing the plates think they’re on top of things because they’ve never been taught otherwise.

Some chef owners aren’t always the best at hiring people to handle the front of the house, and since service is rarely seen as a career, the staff isn’t always invested in becoming truly professional.

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2012/10/09/removing-plates-to-soon-is-the-sign-of-poor-service/

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I disagree.  I love my plates removed if I'm done.  Usually they ask and I say "yes, please, thank you" Removing clutter is a good thing and someone voicing an opinion otherwise doesn't make them right.

I've never been in one where they leave them on the table until everyone is done, especially nice restaurants.   Even when I waited tables a million years ago that was protocol.

Keep the table clean.  I would also think the waiter wasn't paying much attention to us if the dishes remained on the table until everyone was done.    

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@debic

Deb, I wasn't voicing my opinion, I was relating dining protocol and I'm not the one who set the rules long ago.

However, I agree that a diner should have it her way and feel comfortable.

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[debic]

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@Noel7 wrote:

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@debic wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

Removing plates too soon is the sign of poor service

Plates should remain on the table until everyone is finished. When a busser starts to clear my plate, I’ll often stop the person and say,  “Thank you, but I’ll wait until everyone’s finished.” I would like to think that I’m making the most of a teachable moment, but I’m not sure that’s the case.

The problem is that at many places the staff isn’t very well trained. I think in many cases the people removing the plates think they’re on top of things because they’ve never been taught otherwise.

Some chef owners aren’t always the best at hiring people to handle the front of the house, and since service is rarely seen as a career, the staff isn’t always invested in becoming truly professional.

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2012/10/09/removing-plates-to-soon-is-the-sign-of-poor-service/

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I disagree.  I love my plates removed if I'm done.  Usually they ask and I say "yes, please, thank you" Removing clutter is a good thing and someone voicing an opinion otherwise doesn't make them right.

I've never been in one where they leave them on the table until everyone is done, especially nice restaurants.   Even when I waited tables a million years ago that was protocol.

Keep the table clean.  I would also think the waiter wasn't paying much attention to us if the dishes remained on the table until everyone was done.    

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@debic

Deb, I wasn't voicing my opinion, I was relating dining protocol and I'm not the one who set the rules long ago.

However, I agree that a diner should have it her way and feel comfortable.

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I realize it wasn't your opinion.  It's amazing that in the 40 years I've been around restaurants (I have 3 friends who own them)  I've never heard of these rules.   And they all still subscribe to removing empty dirty plates. 

[PeterDM]

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@debic wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

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@debic wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

Removing plates too soon is the sign of poor service

Plates should remain on the table until everyone is finished. When a busser starts to clear my plate, I’ll often stop the person and say,  “Thank you, but I’ll wait until everyone’s finished.” I would like to think that I’m making the most of a teachable moment, but I’m not sure that’s the case.

The problem is that at many places the staff isn’t very well trained. I think in many cases the people removing the plates think they’re on top of things because they’ve never been taught otherwise.

Some chef owners aren’t always the best at hiring people to handle the front of the house, and since service is rarely seen as a career, the staff isn’t always invested in becoming truly professional.

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2012/10/09/removing-plates-to-soon-is-the-sign-of-poor-service/

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I disagree.  I love my plates removed if I'm done.  Usually they ask and I say "yes, please, thank you" Removing clutter is a good thing and someone voicing an opinion otherwise doesn't make them right.

I've never been in one where they leave them on the table until everyone is done, especially nice restaurants.   Even when I waited tables a million years ago that was protocol.

Keep the table clean.  I would also think the waiter wasn't paying much attention to us if the dishes remained on the table until everyone was done.    

******************************

@debic

Deb, I wasn't voicing my opinion, I was relating dining protocol and I'm not the one who set the rules long ago.

However, I agree that a diner should have it her way and feel comfortable.

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I realize it wasn't your opinion.  It's amazing that in the 40 years I've been around restaurants (I have 3 friends who own them)  I've never heard of these rules.   And they all still subscribe to removing empty dirty plates. 

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Just because you haven't heard of the rules, doesn't mean they don't exist. Your friends are providing substandard service at their restaurants,  

[newziesuzie]

I think usually they ask us if we want

the dishes removed but really it never bothered 

me one way or another. Also to going back to

the OP I'm interested

more in enjoying the company than how fast 

or slow we eat. But it's interesting 

reading what bothers some of us and 

not others, funny human nature.

😊

[Trinity11]

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@mousiegirl wrote:

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@Hot Street wrote:

I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this when dining out with someone.

Yesterday, I had lunch with a nice lady I recently met.  We've been trying for weeks to get together.  She's had to cancel three times due to some work being done in her apt unit.   We decided to meet and catch up.

When the food came we both were talking, sharing stories and the like.   She ate her food so fast.   I was so enjoying my lunch but had no intention of wolfing it down.   She wasn't in a hurry to leave, but she ate so fast.  When she was done, the waitress took her plate and there I am eating alone while she watched which becomes a bit awkward.  You feel like you have to eat fast then.

I don't get to go out to restaurants a lot, so this was a treat for me.   You can't really tell someone to slow down, but I mean she must have finished her lunch in 5 min!   It was so awkward eating by myself.   Part of the pleasure of dining out with someone is to enjoy talking and eating and relaxing.  

I remember years ago, a friend of mine who used to be a banquet hostess at a big hotel, said a waitress should never clear someone's plate if others at the table are still eating.  She said the waiter or waitress should wait until the other party is almost done so it's not uncomfortable as it was with me.

Oh well, I enjoyed my lunch and cleared my plate without wolfing it down.   The irony is we sat and talked about 30 min after I was done!   I guess everyone is in a hurry these days. My stomach thanked me for not rushing my meal!  LOL!

I enjoy eating alone at times in a restaurant... that way I can take my time and enjoy the meal.

Just wondered if anyone else has ever experienced that.   

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@Black Cat Back  A waitress or waiter are not supposed to remove a plate if someone else is still eating, it is rude.

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Fine dining emphasizes that fact and is protocol in a restaurant known for its service.

[Trinity11]

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@PeterDM wrote:

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@debic wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

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@debic wrote:

---

@Noel7 wrote:

Removing plates too soon is the sign of poor service

Plates should remain on the table until everyone is finished. When a busser starts to clear my plate, I’ll often stop the person and say,  “Thank you, but I’ll wait until everyone’s finished.” I would like to think that I’m making the most of a teachable moment, but I’m not sure that’s the case.

The problem is that at many places the staff isn’t very well trained. I think in many cases the people removing the plates think they’re on top of things because they’ve never been taught otherwise.

Some chef owners aren’t always the best at hiring people to handle the front of the house, and since service is rarely seen as a career, the staff isn’t always invested in becoming truly professional.

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2012/10/09/removing-plates-to-soon-is-the-sign-of-poor-service/

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I disagree.  I love my plates removed if I'm done.  Usually they ask and I say "yes, please, thank you" Removing clutter is a good thing and someone voicing an opinion otherwise doesn't make them right.

I've never been in one where they leave them on the table until everyone is done, especially nice restaurants.   Even when I waited tables a million years ago that was protocol.

Keep the table clean.  I would also think the waiter wasn't paying much attention to us if the dishes remained on the table until everyone was done.    

******************************

@debic

Deb, I wasn't voicing my opinion, I was relating dining protocol and I'm not the one who set the rules long ago.

However, I agree that a diner should have it her way and feel comfortable.

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I realize it wasn't your opinion.  It's amazing that in the 40 years I've been around restaurants (I have 3 friends who own them)  I've never heard of these rules.   And they all still subscribe to removing empty dirty plates. 

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Just because you haven't heard of the rules, doesn't mean they don't exist. Your friends are providing substandard service at their restaurants,  

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Not just in restaurants.....but at family gatherings, I taught my children that you always wait for everyone to finish their meal before removing dishes at the table. Removing them prematurely makes people still eating feel like they are holding things up....

[151949]

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@debic wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

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@debic wrote:

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@Noel7 wrote:

Removing plates too soon is the sign of poor service

Plates should remain on the table until everyone is finished. When a busser starts to clear my plate, I’ll often stop the person and say,  “Thank you, but I’ll wait until everyone’s finished.” I would like to think that I’m making the most of a teachable moment, but I’m not sure that’s the case.

The problem is that at many places the staff isn’t very well trained. I think in many cases the people removing the plates think they’re on top of things because they’ve never been taught otherwise.

Some chef owners aren’t always the best at hiring people to handle the front of the house, and since service is rarely seen as a career, the staff isn’t always invested in becoming truly professional.

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2012/10/09/removing-plates-to-soon-is-the-sign-of-poor-service/

---

I disagree.  I love my plates removed if I'm done.  Usually they ask and I say "yes, please, thank you" Removing clutter is a good thing and someone voicing an opinion otherwise doesn't make them right.

I've never been in one where they leave them on the table until everyone is done, especially nice restaurants.   Even when I waited tables a million years ago that was protocol.

Keep the table clean.  I would also think the waiter wasn't paying much attention to us if the dishes remained on the table until everyone was done.    

******************************

@debic

Deb, I wasn't voicing my opinion, I was relating dining protocol and I'm not the one who set the rules long ago.

However, I agree that a diner should have it her way and feel comfortable.

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I realize it wasn't your opinion.  It's amazing that in the 40 years I've been around restaurants (I have 3 friends who own them)  I've never heard of these rules.   And they all still subscribe to removing empty dirty plates. 

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I have read tons of "rules" on this board that you never heard anywhere else.