Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>"Ophelia" wrote:
>> "Serene Vannoy" wrote:
>> >Ophelia wrote:
>>
>> >> I hate having my plate made up for me

Then I guess you never eat at restaurants.

>> > I think that personal preference is certainly part of that decision-making
>> > process. If anyone here hated it, I might adjust. *Do you hate it in
>> > restaurants, too?
>>
>> Yes I do, which is why I prefer to use the ones which present the food in
>> dishes on the table and one can help oneself.

For me that would largely depend on who all I'm dining with... I don't
mind the least if my cats eat the bits I place at the edge of my plate
but I'm not comfortable with a bunch of strangers digging into the
food I'm eventually going to have to eat... I'd much prefer the cook
plating my dish.

>I've found relatively few restaurants that serve that way.
>Chinese restaurants, I suppose, but very few restaurants
>serve Western food that way.

At the Chinese restaurants I've patronized each person chooses their
own dishes from the menu and when served then the person whose dish it
is shares (if they choose to) by serving from their own dishes. If
everyone is going to treat the meal like a free for all then may as
well have gone to a Chinese buffet. I've eaten many times at real
Chinese restaurants with Chinese people. I know that real Chinese
food is served differently but then they don't eat anywhere near the
same kinds of foods served at the American style Chinese eateries...
real Chinese dishes much better lend themselves to community style
dining and the Chinese customs are quite strict about how food is
distributed, typically one or two people are designated to do all the
serving, it's not a grabfest with everyone diving in... and the more
elaborate dishes are served at table by restaurant staff.

>>*I am not a big eater and if I
>> am presented with a full plate I can't eat.
>
>You mean, if you get a full plate you can't just eat half,
>or a quarter, or whatever frraction you want? Huh.

Depending on type of food my mom either plated in the kitchen or
walked around the table serving, she knew exactly what she prepared
and how to distribute it... initial portion size was on the small side
so food didn't get wasted and there was always plenty more keeping
warm in the kitchen... at most catered affairs food is served the same
way, a professional white gloved server goes around the table to each
diner and distributes the food... what yoose refer to as family style
I call eating at the trough, disgustingly unsanitary and survival of
the fittest with the bigger beasts grabbing the choicest parts with no
consideration for others. I don't appreciate everyone at the table
grabbing at my food... I've been served "family style" in other
people's homes and seen people (especially their disgusting kids)
snatching food from platters with their filthy fingers. I can
sometimes accept family style when it's only those who live under that
roof... my mom would sometimes bring platters to the table but still
only she did the serving. I can see family style (sharing from the
same plate) when it's a couple living together but it's definitely
unacceptible with guests/strangers. Even if yoose gals are sleeping
with me, if I gotta wear a condom I certainly don't want yoose
touching my food.