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

theyellowlizard

I have never done this, and can't imagine any scenario in which I would. It just strikes me as, well, a bit scutty (no offence, folks!).

I'm a bit surprised that more people on the thread haven't expressed their horror at the concept - although the poll results thus far suggest that there are a fair few people who feel the same as I do!

mancrob26

If theres something left I always do it. I do it when you're out with a load of friends at a Chinese. Always ask if they want it, but they are always too proud.
Only time I don't do it is if I'm going somewhere after the meal. Got to draw the line somewhere and taking a brown paper bag with foil trays of curry into the pub would look a bit rum even for me!
Didn't used to do it on first dates either!

Smiley_Mum

Never ask for doggy bags as there is never anything left - two growing boys - leftovers!? You must be joking. Just have two courses normally, starter and main or main and dessert.

Sharp_Eyes

I voted for B. Occasionally

Reason: The meals in the UK are quite massively sized so I very rarely order a meal because I couldn't wade my way through it. I'd probably have one or two starters which fills me up pretty well. However, if I do see a main I'd like to try, I'd have about half of it and have the rest boxed to go! No way am I leaving it there! :eek: That counts as an ENTIRE LUNCH for the next day!

Sharp_Eyes

Roodie wrote: »

Hmmm, doggy bags - a sore point.
I only actually clicked a while ago what "doggy bag" actually meant. When I was younger I was a waitress in a big hotel, and I got asked quite a few times for a doggy bag. So me being the kind hearted person I was went into the kitchen and dug around in the "slops bin" (all the scraps off the plates which used to go to a local farmer) to get any bits of meat I could find.

So I'd give a large tin foil parcel to the customer, saying "I put a bit extra in for you" thinking their dog would be eating like a king that night, on all varieties of meats, including bits of other people's left over veg, gravy, soup, trifle, cakes...

Hope I didn't give anyone the trots!!

:rotfl: This was SO funny! Lucky for me I never use the term "doggy bag". I just call the waiter/tress over and say, "Hi, may I please have this boxed up or wrapped up to go? Thanks." No-one's ever said no or looked at me funny. And I never got any unwanted extras! *LOL*

Sharp_Eyes

seagull_1 wrote: »

My wife owns a Thai restaurant and I'm surprised at how people are embarrassed or sneak food out. As far as we are concerned we would much prefer you to take any food you over ordered home with you and occasionally we offer a doggy bag if customers have ordered too much and can't finish. People do very rarely ask. It's a shame because you have paid for it and its no good to see food left and thrown away.

I myself can't stand to see food (good or bad) thrown away. If it's not too good for me, old doggo gets it! If the dog won't touch it though you know it's really bad! *LOL*

planningmyescape

I would ask for one if there was a reasonable amount left of food I enjoyed, but in the UK this is rare, I think I have asked in a few pizza places. The reason I rarely ask is I was taught to eat my meat first (or rather prioritse it don't fill up on veg and potatoes as the most expensive part is normally the meat), so bar any fat/bone theres rarely anything other than spuds and veg left.

In America they are much more forward about this but then again the portions even in posh places are large. You don't ask for a doggy bag, unless it is for the dog, instead if they don't ask and they normally do, is could I have that to takeaway or something simlar, I would do the same in the UK just so they get I would like my food to take out and not the kitchen scraps.

Swan_2

kevgy wrote: »

Get eyes and stomach in sync

that works if you're familiar with the place you're eating & their portion sizes, & if the paying member of your group isn't ordering everything in sight! see my post #30

I was at a new place last weekend, & the portions were so huge that only one of our party of 7 could finish what was on their plate, pity we couldn't take it with us on this occasion as we were going on somewhere else later

theyellowlizard wrote:

I have never done this, and can't imagine any scenario in which I would. It just strikes me as, well, a bit scutty (no offence, folks!).

I'm a bit surprised that more people on the thread haven't expressed their horror at the concept - although the poll results thus far suggest that there are a fair few people who feel the same as I do!

I'm not sure what 'scutty' means, it's not a word that's used in my neck of the woods, but I'm guessing derogatory?
even so, I'm not offended, I'm sensible

I think the word horror's a bit extreme though, what's horrifying about asking for what you're paying for & is only going to be binned anyway?

flookie

if we have more meat than we can cope with, we always ask for a doggy bag which literally goes home for our schnauzer (rare beef preferred). I have recently taken home a declicious pud which was just too much to do justice to and enjoyed it the following day, returning the bowl later.
Our local restaurant THe Tempest in Christchurch actually provides special meals for dogs (served in the conservatory or garden)

mizmir

Always if there is more than a few bits left - the dogs love it! They eat our leftovers at home so why not when we go out? I probably wouldn't at a very high class restaurant (if I ever ate in such places) but then in places like that they serve portions that normal people can eat - rather than vast plates that are completely over the top - so there probably wouldn't be leftovers.

My BIL takes home leftover curry and has it for breakfast!! :eek::eek::rotfl: