Nancy Young wrote:
>
> On 10/29/2017 2:21 AM, Wayne Boatwright wrote:
>
> > It brings to mind a story from many years ago that involved my dad's
> > sister-in-law. My dad's aunt and uncle were very old school and
> > formal people. They hosted a large holiday dinner party and, typical
> > of old southern families, there was a groaning board of desserts to
> > choose from. As my dad's aunt was asking each guest which dessert
> > that would like, my dad's sister-in-law spoke up and asked for a
> > dinner plate so that she could have a piece of each of all the
> > desserts. That story was told for many years, as the sister-in-law
> > was a rather rude and brash person, and my dad's aunt was mortified
> > at the request, although was very gracious.
>
> That strikes me as funny. I do the same thing at dinners like that
> but of course we are not a formal family. No one is plating my
> dessert for me.
>
> Just as I take a little bit of almost everything during the meal,
> I take small bits of different desserts to try them all.

I feel the same, Nancy. If someone offers a variety of desserts
(odd to me in the first place at someones home), I see nothing
wrong at all for wanting to sample a smaller portion of each.

As you say, many dishes offer for the dinner, most people with
take a small amount of most things.