The Buffet Maze
Maneuvering through a buffet line can provide many different food options as well as test our dining manners.
While some buffets have the waiter brings the plates to the table; others have the plates stacked near the food. Some are a single long line of food while others haveislands of food throughout several rooms meats at one table, fruit at another and so on. Knowing where things are and how the buffet works before you leave the table will make the trip for food go far more smoothly and quickly.
Now the rules. And there are always rules.
The stack attack. No matter how delicious everything looks, resist the temptation to overstack your plate. You can always return to the buffet line for more, however always with a new, clean plate.
Don’t graze. Never nibble off your plate, another’s, while going through the buffet line. The same goes for food on the buffet platters never, ever pickup even a small morsel to sample it while standing at the buffet. Either take it or leave it. It is never okay to eat anything, of any size, until you’re seated at your table.
Wait for everyone. If your group includes more than two or three people, it’s likely you won’t all get back to the table at the same time. While you’re waiting, put your napkin in your lap, but don’t touch your food until everyone is seated and ready to begin eating.
Wondering if you should tip? The answer is yes. How much? There is no need to tip the traditional 15 – 20 percent at a buffet. However, it is appropriate and optimal to tip something. The waitress is still serving and some of the tip probably is shared with the bussing staff. Thus I suggest 10 percent.
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