Comments on: The Disturbing American Practice of Doggie Bags

By: green3

green3 — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:19:39 +0000

I’ve lived in Taiwan, Japan and China, and it’s totally normal for people to ask for a doggy bag in those countries.

By: boyerling3

boyerling3 — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:29:35 +0000

I agree with the others, getting a doggy bag is not bad in any way. I do agree with you that American portions are too large, but that doesn’t mean you should waste food. If I take food home from the restaurant than it means I don’t need to get something that I otherwise would from the supermarket. How can you hate it when people take their food home, but not when they leave it on their plate to be thrown away?

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:01:23 +0000

I agree with the above commenters. What a ridiculous post. The American custom of taking home a doggie bag is a way to avoid waste. The alternative is throwing away millions of pounds of perfectly good food every year. I also take issue with the idea that food “festers” on the table while you are taking a half hour to finish your coffee and dessert; by that logic the food is “festering” even while it’s sitting on your plate or (horrors!) is sitting in the chef’s kitchen, waiting for your dinner companions’ entrees to be ready and is perhaps rewarmed and left to sit several times before it arrives at your table.
I agree that American portion sizes are too large, but I fail to see how not wasting food contributes to American obesity. But hey! You Australians are now catching up to us in that area. Perhaps you’ll let us know in a few years.

By: Colin

Colin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:54:08 +0000

I can’t decide what is more ridiculous, the idea of writing a post of anti-take home box or the notion that its uncivilized to take home food from a restaurant. I guess most of us aren’t sophisticated enough to watch perfectly good go to waste. I’m sorry that you are so easily “disturbed” by the rest of our idea of putting aside food for later. I also want to know who asks, “Can I get a doggy bag?”.

By: dee dee

dee dee — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:48:11 +0000

What a silly post! Doggie bags have been part of the American restaurant scene for generations and they aren’t around just because portions are too big. While it is absolutely true that many restaurants here have excessively large portions, even moderate or small portions are too large for people like me. I enjoy a meal out but often can’t eat an entire serving. If it’s a tasy meal, I get to enjoy it twice, one in the restaurant and again the next day for lunch. And, after 40 years or so of occasional doggie bags, I’ve never once gotten sick from them. Lighten up!!

By: Kristen

Kristen — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:26:15 +0000

I really don’t understand what is so disgusting about people who take the food home to eat later. It’s not wasteful, at least. I hardly EVER go out to eat, and when I do, I don’t usually finish all my meal. I take it home in a doggie bag and enjoy it immensely for lunch the next day. I’ve never gotten sick doing this.

And I’m not anything close to overweight…I just like to avoid wasting food whenever possible.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:12:05 +0000

Thanks for the positive comments about my blog.

I know all of my posts won’t please all people at all times. That’s the nature of blogging.

By: Linda

Linda — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:35:38 +0000

I’m now surprised, on trips back to the States, at how much food is served. It’s too easy for me to eat when it’s there before me.

By: Eleanor Baker

Eleanor Baker — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:11:36 +0000

Good grief, Carol. Don’t you have something better to write about? You are a fine writer; don’t waste your time writing such drivel. The bookstore series was top notch. It was descriptive, interesting, and very well written. Many of your travel pieces are clever, and your musings on family globalization are thoughtful and to the point. If you don’t like the idea of doggie bags, don’t ever use them. Ignore the folks who do. That’s it. Period.