Originally Posted by Cape Blue

I can honestly say that I have NEVER had a doggy bag or even remotely considered one.

To be honest it seems a bit cheap taking ones left-overs home, something one would expect of the poor or working class if they've been out for their one big meal of the year.

If I have eaten a Thai meal on a Monday night, the last thing I want is more of the same Thai food on Tue or Wed - yeesh.

95% of the restaurants I visit are within walking distance, I don't want to walk back home with a box of congealing food in my hands - I'd feel like the waiter not the customer.

I imagine it might be different if you have kids who can hoover-up pretty much anything, same goes with dogs.

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

I wonder if the French ask for doggy bags?

Originally Posted by nethead

hmm what that be , un sac chien, si vous plait?

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

Now I'm intrigued, it seems to be 'doggy bag'. I just couldn't imagine having a beautiful French meal in a classy place and then asking for one.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/t-957408.html

In general doggy bags are not acceptable in France. A discussion of the topic in a French forum I frequent showed a few people for it, but the majority found the idea a bit disgusting.

Here's a little anecdote regarding an American friend, fluent in French language and culture, who dared to request a doggy bag in Paris:

Ms. X took some visitors to dinner at a restaurant. One person ordered fish, thinking it sounded good on the menu even though he didn't normally like fish. When dinner arrived, he realized he wasn't going to like it this time either, and so that beautiful whole fish sat untouched. Thinking it would be a pity to waste it, at the end of the meal Ms. X politely asked the waiter if he could possibly wrap it for her to take home. He regarded her with disdain and asked in a snooty tone: "It's for your cat, Madame?" Ms. X looked back at him and said, "Yes, it's for my cat."

The waiter proceeded to clear the table, stacking all the plates on top of the plate with the fish and pushing them down firmly for good measure. He disappeared into the kitchen and eventually returned with a small packet of foil. Arriving at the table, he squished the packet between his hands and handed the crumpled silver ball to Ms. X.

"For your cat, Madame."

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

Now I'm intrigued, it seems to be 'doggy bag'. I just couldn't imagine having a beautiful French meal in a classy place and then asking for one.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/archive/t-957408.html

In general doggy bags are not acceptable in France. A discussion of the topic in a French forum I frequent showed a few people for it, but the majority found the idea a bit disgusting.

Here's a little anecdote regarding an American friend, fluent in French language and culture, who dared to request a doggy bag in Paris:

Ms. X took some visitors to dinner at a restaurant. One person ordered fish, thinking it sounded good on the menu even though he didn't normally like fish. When dinner arrived, he realized he wasn't going to like it this time either, and so that beautiful whole fish sat untouched. Thinking it would be a pity to waste it, at the end of the meal Ms. X politely asked the waiter if he could possibly wrap it for her to take home. He regarded her with disdain and asked in a snooty tone: "It's for your cat, Madame?" Ms. X looked back at him and said, "Yes, it's for my cat."

The waiter proceeded to clear the table, stacking all the plates on top of the plate with the fish and pushing them down firmly for good measure. He disappeared into the kitchen and eventually returned with a small packet of foil. Arriving at the table, he squished the packet between his hands and handed the crumpled silver ball to Ms. X.

"For your cat, Madame."

Originally Posted by tamms_1965

On a flight from Chicago to Manchester once I was next to a young French guy. After every meal/snack he would ask me if I was finished and did I mind if he had my untouched portions. He was a student but I thought he was crazy the first time he asked but got used to it by the end of the flight.

Originally Posted by Sally Redux

I wonder if the French ask for doggy bags?

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

I doubt it would be an issue - the French like to take their time over dinner so they'd be able to finish it. It only becomes an issue when you're being rushed off your table because you're taking too long to eat.

They probably hardly ever get indigestion or acid reflux in France either ...

Originally Posted by nethead

Also on top of the rushing you to eat your food, there's the issue of the humongous portions, if they gave you a normal (healthy) size portion you wouldn't need to take left overs home.

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

Usually I can finish mine, even if it is on the large side, but I have a huge appetite anyway

Im my experience, when we have taken leftovers home if we've been out anywhere, all that happens is they sit in the fridge for three days and then I throw them out. FFS, if they're going to be binned anyway, I'd rather not have to bother with them taking up space in the fridge.

Originally Posted by robin1234

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

Usually I can finish mine, even if it is on the large side, but I have a huge appetite anyway .

Originally Posted by nethead

Pig!

Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing

We go out to eat so rarely these days so I just make sure I get my money's worth.