Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:If you had guests over and you want them to take leftovers home today, forget it. There's a virus going around. I don't want anyone else's food or anything.
It's not just this holiday season or group gatherings. I've heard many people say things like, "We don't do leftovers."
I've heard that at nice restaurants, I've heard that in their own homes. It's absolutely a firm thing with some people.
Anonymous wrote:If you had guests over and you want them to take leftovers home today, forget it. There's a virus going around. I don't want anyone else's food or anything.
Anonymous wrote:
Etiquette reminders:
It's rude to offer guests left-over food unless you are very close and know this person enjoyed that particular dish. If you do this to other types of guests, it means you don't respect them. Freshly-cooked and well-presented food that you offer on a plate at a table is a symbol of your respect for your guest. Boxed food meant to be reheated the day after is not.
The host may even be attempting to get rid of their food because of lack of space or because they didn't like the food, which is even ruder because it reduces the guest to a useful trashcan.
I'm not American and have family in Europe and Asia. None of them would dream of handing me their leftovers. That would be rude. I understand that Americans have a more relaxed culture, but still. Keep your leftovers for those cherished friends and relatives who are gazing longingly at it.