Dining Etiquette - Removing Plates

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Permalink Reply by Paul Green on March 16, 2010 at 7:03am

The plates should be removed when all have finished, unless someone expresses a desire to have theirs removed earlier, ( a faux pas). A proper host will time his/her consumption to coincide with the slowest diner.

There are, of course, variations according to the culture one finds oneself in.

Even in a casual setting this social grace should be observed, but could be forgiven at a picnic, for instance.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Biesemeyer on March 17, 2010 at 11:17am

I've always been trained to clear the table once ALL guests have finished eating. As Paul G. said, exceptions are made if a guest pushes his plate away from himself, motions me over, etc. Ultimately, it boils down to what the guest wants. If a table asks me to clear each plate one by one while clucking like a chicken, well, you can guess what I'll be doing.

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Permalink Reply by Brandon O'Dell on March 17, 2010 at 5:00pm

I think the answer depends on whether you are trying to be proper, or whether you are trying to please your guests. If you are trying to please your guests, then you should judge what their preference is. While it is traditionally "proper" to begin clearing plates after every person has finished, this may be perceived as poor service to many modern diners. In my experience in country clubs, middle aged and younger persons have an expectation to move through the meal much quicker than older diners, and also expect their plates to be out of their way as soon as they are finished.

In an ideal world, there would be one correct answer. In this world, since perception is reality and the guest's perception changes depending on the guest, the answer also much change depending on the guest and situation. It doesn't do you much good to do what is considered "proper" if your guests will view it as bad service. You'll soon be without guests to be "proper" to.

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Permalink Reply by Giuseppe De Carlo on April 21, 2010 at 5:30am

Hi Paul I am positive you know the answer realy well, Etiquette demands that everybody must be finished befor removing the plates, but it is also important for the serve guideline, that he knows when it is the proper time to remove plates, otherwise he could make four trips to clear a table, and diners still eating nervous, ciao Giuseppe

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Permalink Reply by Don Barrick on April 28, 2010 at 4:58am

THANK YOU!!! I am a Business Broker, selling Businesses as well as Commercial Real Estate - not a Food Professional. So, I can only, (somewhat) intelligently comment from the diner's perspective. And as a diner, there are two things that REALLY bug me about service in many restaurants, in my experience.

The first is when the appetizer is provided, followed by the entree about two minutes later. The table is crowded, the appetizer then needs to be forgotten unless you want the main course to be stone cold. Sending the entree back apparently causes incredible ill will, with plates crashing and glares (at the very least,) being experienced for the remainder of the meal. And I don't even want to think about what happens to the meal in the kitchen, if that occurs. So, generally I will order the entree only when the appetizer is presented. I understand the need to turn the tables, but there are limits!

Second, is the issue of clearing plates. Asking me if I want my plate removed while there is still food on my plate and I am still chewing is bush league, at best. Yet, I eat at a faster pace than my wife, and having the plate removed from my place as soon as I am finished, but she is still eating makes her feel pressured to hurry the hell up!

If I am at a second rate place, these issues are not as disturbing as when we dine at more upscale restaurants; you expect more amateur treatment at a relatively low end establishment. But we have experienced both of these occurences at more expensive restaurants, as well. So, I appreciate the topic and thank all that paid attention to the issue.

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Mallut on April 28, 2010 at 9:39pm

I do think it is a problem that servers and owners sometimes turn the tables over too fast and the diner does not get to enjoy the experience of being out to dinner. I feel a server should monitor the table see what the status is of all patrons, then approach table when it looks like most of the food has been consumed, if not sure just ask if patron done with meal and remove plate. It also has to come down from owner and exec chef that this is a dining experience I mean of course unless you are at fast food establishment, but helpers and servers should still not take your plate without asking. Just common courtesy to the diner in my opinion.

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