Going to eat at a buffet restaurant can be tricky if you don't know how to navigate it. By following a few tips, you will have buffet table etiquette!
By following a few simple rules and staying on the right side of the sneeze guard, you can have an enjoyable buffet experience.
- Before heading to the buffet line for the first time, look for eating utensils at your table. If there are none, keep your eye out for them as you get your plate.
- Buffets usually have one or two lines. If there are two lines, both sides usually have the same item so get in the shortest line.
- Gender, sex, age, and status are meaningless in buffet lines. Don’t feel you need to let anyone go ahead of you but also don’t butt your way in. Wait your turn.
- Take the first plate you touch; no fondling all the plates looking for what you deem to be the perfect one.
- Use the serving utensil designated for that dish for only that dish. Don’t use the same one to pick up different items. Return the utensil to its original dish.
- Do not use your fingers to pick up food in the buffet line. Use the utensil.
- For the sake of your fellow diners, try to keep the foods you choose cohesive with the course you are getting. Watching someone eat a plate of pickled beets, lobster tail, Jell-O and a slice of apple pie all at once is not appetizing.
- Resist the urge to pop a few items in your mouth as you go through the buffet line. You’ll be at your table within a minute!
- Turn away from the food and cover your mouth if you must sneeze or cough when in line.
- Do not put an item back if you took it and then changed your mind once you put it on your plate.
- Double dipping is not allowed. If you want dip or sauce, put a dollop of it on your plate.
- You can go back for seconds, thirds, and fourths. There is no need to build a pyramid on your plate. Never fill your plate so full that you have to hold the food as you walk to your table to keep it from falling off.
- Do not take more food than you will eat. There is no reason to have leftovers on your plate. If you are not sure if you will like something or not, take a small sample. You can get more on your next go-round if you like the dish.
- You don't need to wait for everyone to get back to the table before you start eating but it's thoughtful to wait for a few people. Waiting any longer will leave you with cold food.
- When going back for seconds, do not take your plate. Leave the empty one behind and a server will pick it up, usually before you return. Get a new, clean plate at the beginning of the buffet line.
- When leaving your seat to go back for more, place your napkin on the seat of your chair.
- Don’t feel you must eat until you have to loosen your belt and need a crane to carry you out. Don't shovel your face full just to feel like you got your money’s worth.
- You cannot take home a doggie bag with leftovers from buffets. Don’t even think about it.
Tipping at Buffets
While it is typical to tip 15-20% at a traditional restaurant, 10% is the norm at buffets for servers who refill glasses and remove plates. But as with all tipping, if your server is attentive, tip more and if you have to throw yourself in your server's path to get service, feel free to tip less.
Copyright Toby Welch. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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