Do you ask for a doggy bag? Poll results/discussion

puparin

Had Chinese meal last night in restaurant with 9 friends and there were loads of left overs so asked for container to take them home for my teenage son.
I think once you get over the emmarrassment of asking the first time it becomes easy.
In USA if you dont ask they think your are odd!!

topofall

Went to a local Bistro 400 yards away for a quick meal for five one evening after an airport run and it was anything but quick. We asked politely if our leftover food could be wrapped up and the answer was 'no, you might eat it!!!' They did wrap it up after we pointed out we had paid for it, therefore we could do what we liked with it!

Now, we always take a small chinese takeaway plastic box and fill it ourselves and we don't care if we are seen to be doing it.

vandermerwe

G'day folks

Every day I live here after forty odd years abroad, I learn something else about the Poms!

So doggie bags aren't for dogs then are they?:D

When my wife and I receive a huge pile of (unasked for) vegetables, or a piece of uneatable meat (or fish) in one of our so-called 'gastro-pubs' we ask for a "Dachsiebag".

Our two miniature daschshunds love the contents, and it frequently comes made up into a little carry bag made out of kitchen foil.

Er, some humans don't eat it themselves do they?

And no we're not filthy rich but try to save up for a modest lunch about once a month.

Van, Mrs. Van., Senior Dachshund Montgomery and Junior Dachshund Rommel.

Vandermerwe

little_acorn_2

Why are so many people 'admitting' they do it? There's nothing wrong with taking away what you've already paid for! We have often asked for doggy bag in both Indian and Chinese restaurants - was a bit flummoxed though when in one Chinese they charged us a £1 for each take-away carton!

alice

Most of you are starting to make me feel r-e-a-l-l-y mean - we always ask to take home anything left over unless its only a couple of forkfulls. I have never even referred to it as a doggy bag - don't have a dog anyway! - and I've never been conscious of strange looks - I think it could be looked on as a compliment that the food was so good you don't want to leave it behind??!!
We were at a poshish Chinese restaurant last week which does not do takeaway and the waitress asked if we wanted to take the remains home before I got a chance to ask her!! They obviously have boxes ready for the purpose and I think that will apply to most restaurants - no need for anyone to feel they have to sneak anything into a napkin!!
Come on - get braver - restaurants can't even send their scraps for pigswill anymore and have to pay to have it taken away - you'll be doing them a favour really!!

strawberryfluff

I agree with Alice - we should definitely do this more. We've paid for the food - surely we're entitled to take it away? It's just a shame that there's so much stigma attached. I've often embarrassed my husband by furtively wrapping up leftovers in my napkin! I'm going to be brave from now on - you've spurred me on.
Our local Pizza Hut always asks if we want to take leftovers home.

Is this similar to the hotel scenario? If you've paid for a hotel room surely you're allowed to take all the teabags and coffee sachets home - aren't you?!:o

Bonusbear

I recently asked for a doggie bag in Wagamama and the waiter asked if i'd like chopsticks too, i looked at him blanky and told him that my dog wasn't very good with chopsticks.........! - half the table laughed (8 people) and he went bright red.

I can't believe more people don't ask for doggie bags, there's no snob element attached, in fact expensive restaurants seem more accustomed to this which means my dog has now eaten from The Ivy, The River Cafe, The Oxo Tower and Asia de Cuba (where the bill came to £350 for four people). Yes he's the best fed pooch in town and he deserves it.

sassy165

emphatiC_hanK wrote: »

I must admit to having done this on occasion, although I'm usually much more likely to polish off what's put in front of me in restaurants.

However, I think that there might be less of a stigma attached to this activity (the overall point of this poll, after all?) if the term 'Doggie bag' could be given a slightly better name instead.

Any suggestions?

When visiting my brother in the US I find that if there is anything left on the plate it is usual for the waiter to automatically ask if you would like a 'to go box'. This is a much nicer phrase and the fact that it is you who are asked takes the sting out of it too. :T

SallyForth_2

Yep - I certainly ask for if there is enough to take and it's good. Don't care if it's a posh place or cheap. I just say I can't eat anymore, it's way too good to leave, and do they have something I could put the rest in. I have never found any resturant made me feel bad, and most appear to be prepared for it.

gyptified

i always ask to take food i haven't finished home. although once i did in chiquitos and they accidentally threw half of my veggie wrap away. a very apologetic waitress came and told me that the remainder of my food had been put in the rubbish, but the chef was making me a new one to take home. after we had paid the bill i was presented with a freshly cooked wrap in a sturdy take away box for no extra charge.