Other people eat so little

[Aunt Bea]

One other woman at my table complained more than once "It's taking too long.", referring to the luncheon as a whole. She kept looking at her watch and fidgeting in her seat like she had ants in her pants. She calmed down when she was served, but resumed her fidgeting when she was done eating. I wanted to ask her if she turned into a pumpkin at 3 pm, but I did ask if she had to be somewhere else. She said "Not really."

Even though I was in no hurry, it did seem like the banquet staff took their time serving the meals. The people who were served first were done and had dessert before the last table was served. There were 4 waitpersons to serve 8 people to a table and there were 24 tables. I asked for a glass of water since I don't drink coffee. I wait about 30 minutes, then reminded the waitstaff again and it was another 10 minutes until I was served water. The whole luncheon plus the program too about 3 and a half hours.

I reiterate - why do these people attend if they are so distressed by it? It's like "The meal and I should hit the table at the same time, everyone should be finished eating in 5 minutes or less, have a 5 minute program, then let me outta here! I guess I'll never understand other people's attitudes.

Your post made me think of a story about Queen Victoria. They say that when Queen Victoria was at a banquet she was the first one served and when she was finished eating all plates were removed from the tables, in some cases she was finished before everyone at the banquet had been served!

 

[DaveA]

debodun said - - - - (was anyone ever chided with the warning, "There are starving children in the world that would be happy to have that food!"?)


I heard that many times but, for some reason (this was in the late 30's-early 40's), instead of the world in general, it always (in my mother's comment) China???

Poor mom - - I can only guess that she'd read, in some article, about difficult times for Chinese folks .

 

[Buckeye]

I was telling a friend about leaving food on the plate. She said that it's "polite" to leave a least a forkful. I've never heard of that custom. Just seems like a big waste to me.

(a) I was told this was "leaving a bite for Miss Manners". If you are at someone else's home and you clean your plate that's a sign you didn't get enough to satisfy your hunger. So by leaving a bite, your host/hostess knew you had received plenty to eat.

(b) For me in Southern Ohio in the late 40's/early 50s the starving children were in China.

 

[Butterfly]

I wonder that myself - why do these people go to luncheons when they don't eat. The woman that only took 2 forkfuls from her plate proceeded to take out knitting from her handbag. It was like she wasn't even interested in the program. She could have stayed home, had noting to eat, and knit.

I personally think it's pretty rude to take out your knitting at the table while others are still eating!

 

[debodun]

I happened to mention the luncheon, and the amount of food left on people's plates, to another person I know. She said that when she has to go to a public function where food is going to be served, she eats before she goes, that way she won't seem like a pig and gobble up all the food on her plate. To me eating before going out is like cleaning the house before the maid comes.

Why should people be so concerned with their public image and be worried that others would think them a glutton? At a luncheon like I attended, the people there don't even know you and you will likely not see them again. Every year I've gone to it, there are different people at my table.

 

[bluebreezes]

I think it's one of those old fashioned notions about ladyhood that's quite antiquated now.

 

[Butterfly]

I think it's one of those old fashioned notions about ladyhood that's quite antiquated now.

Agreed.

 

[oldman]

My wife and I have been splitting a meal at the local Ruby Tuesday, or other same type of restaurant for about the past 5 or so years. I don't like eating a lot of food and feeling stuffed. If we go to a more fancy smancy place, then we each order our own entree.

 

[QuickSilver]

My wife and I have been splitting a meal at the local Ruby Tuesday, or other same type of restaurant for about the past 5 or so years. I don't like eating a lot of food and feeling stuffed. If we go to a more fancy smancy place, then we each order our own entree.

I agree.. Most local restaurants serve outlandishly huge portions. NO ONE needs to eat that much. We either split ours, or make sure we take half home to make another meal.

 

[RadishRose]

I am not going to complain about large portions. Just bring the extra home and keep quiet about it! If they overhear you, they will shrink those portions in a wink of an eye and will NOT lower the prices.

Then, many of us won't have lunch the next day; then, if someone tried to eat off my plate they'd have a fork stuck in his hand. So, shhhhhh, mum's the word.