Sunday Scribblings describes
a "smorgasbord" as a buffet-style meal served in Sweden, traditionally at the holidays; in America it is a serve-yourself-whatever-you-want-type restaurant.
I would like to talk about the American type, as I have unfortunately never experienced anything in Sweden.
In America we are famous for abundance. For wastefulness. For obesity. Makes sense to me that the "all you can eat' restaurants are crazy busy and packed with gluttons galore. No matter where you eat in America, you can be sure you will usually have enough on your plate. Too much in fact.
I usually take home 1/2 of my meal for lunch the next day. So Why? Why? Do so many people feel the need to frequent these
trough like settings and just FILL UP? ( by now you've deduced that I have great disdain for the smorgasbord.)
Not only is it gluttonous, it is down right disgusting. I have enough paranoia knowing the cook, waiter and helpers have access to 'germ up' my food. I can't even imagine knowing every Tom DICK and Harry have had their breath, sneezing, coughing, spitting while talking, TASTING while standing there, All near MY potential dinner. It literally makes me sick.
We once ate at a restaurant that was sit down OR buffet. We of course chose table service. ( Mr. Petals is a nut job as well). I was astonished watching how animalistic these buffet people were! I mean HOW much food can you possibly consume in one sitting? It is revolting! One woman was trying to make her young son Taste EVERYthing, before making his plate.. She was feeding him right there on the buffet line. ( another thing I despise, standing on line to serve myself. That's the whole point of eating out, I can finally sit my tired ass down and let someone else do all the work!). Anyway.. this kid was spitting out food he didn't like into her HAND! (NO, we actually live in a civilized decent area!!) and then SHE used that same hand to handle the Utensils to serve MORE food to him and to add to her Over flowing plate of assorted Crap. YUlK!
I am thinking it comes down to money as so many things do. People want 'the most for their money' Even if they don't need it. Even if they throw most of it away. Give me more! Give me it all! Give me give me give me! The sinful waste must be extraordinary, because my clients have told me that some places are now charging extra for what you DON'T finish. I think that is a smart way to curb these indulgent behaviors. Let's face it, many animals will just eat till they puke, it takes a reasonable human to intervene, set limits and teach them about self control.
** UPDATE*** gee... I wrote this in quite a hurry between haircuts and Now I think it sounds offensive and awfully harsh. I don't mean to insult any civilized buffet patrons; and I'm sorry if I already did. (Gluttons- you know who you are.)
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