Doggy bags

I was reading this article regarding doggy bags and how people in the United Kingdom prefer not to ask for them. While my Dad has been critical of the fact that asking for doggy bags in this country can be frowned upon, I was still surprised to read exactly why that is the case when I read the article.

It appalled me to read some of the major rationales for people not wanting to ask for doggy bags. These included reasons such as "shyness about appearing to be greedy", that leftover food during the Middle Ages was given "to the poor and beggars" and is still associated with that; and finally, the wasting food being considered a "symbol of wealth and nobility throughout history".

To me, it has always made perfect sense to take home food that you do not eat at a restaurant to eat when you get back home. After all, you have paid for the food, and it saves wasting it: there should be no shame in asking to take home unused food. Restaurant portions are often large, so I would argue that it is less greedy to take home food rather than eat a huge meal in one sitting. The Middle Ages were hundreds of years ago, and I am sure there are numerous attitudes from that era that are obsolete now (in addition, leftover food in restaurants is disposed of rather than given to anyone else). As for the "wealth and nobility" reason...we do not go around assuming everybody is rich or noble, so therefore, we do not (or perhaps, should not) then assume they are poor or ungraceful just because they chose not to waste food.

Fortunately, in reading some of the comments for the article, it seems that the attitude is changing, and other people were even surprised it still exists. In all fairness, the only time we have so far requested a doggy bag here the waiter was unassuming and pleasant about us asking. If anything, he seemed quite enthusiastic about us preferring not to waste anything. I hope to see it continue and help when I can.