In the past, restaurants instructed their wait staff to begin clearing plates only after the entire table had concluded their meals. Today, many restaurants instruct their wait staff to begin clearing plates as each patron finishes their meal. Do you approve of this new practice?

Yes, it's okay: 53% (316 out of 600)
No, it's not okay: 47% (284 out of 600)

Although not as close as the Florida elections, our poll asking if restaurants should instruct wait staff to clear plates as each person finished split 53% in favor of the practice and 47% opposed.

Those approving the practice liked having a cleaner, less cluttered table and thought it made the wait staff's job easier. Many stated that they preferred to have their own plate cleared immediately ("Who likes having dirty plates in their face?") A waitress reported that it reduced the chance of a patron ruining clothing from reaching around plates. One thought that the practice indicated attentive service, worthy of an extra tip. A few cited overcrowded tables at a "messy" meal - crab, lobster, ribs - as a good reason to clear plates along the way. Most cautioned that servers should ask, discretely, if the diner was finished before clearing the plate.

Those who did not like the practice thought it rude as it made slower diners feel rushed and found it disruptive to conversation, especially at a business meal or a romantic dinner. In general, they thought it detracted from a pleasant dining experience. "We begin together, we finish together. Although some enjoy the luxury of a clear setting, others may feel rushed and inducing group comfort is preferred." They also said it made them feel as if the establishment was only interested in moving patrons through the restaurant quickly in order to fill more tables. "Clearing the plates while others at the table are still eating gives me the impression that the ones still eating should hurry, and that the wait staff wants us out of the restaurant."

In this day of overfilled plates and overly cluttered tables, one can understand the wish for quick plate removal. But at the expense of making the rest of the table feel rushed, interrupted or uncomfortable? We think not. In this case, we believe that courtesy and consideration for all those at the table outweighs a cluttered table. As one writer put it, "Dining is something you do with others. To have your plate removed while others are still dining, in effect, abandons them. It breaks the association." Well said.

So, how does one communicate to the wait staff that its time to clear the plates? Placing the fork and knife at the "four o'clock" position is the traditional signal that one is finished with a course, even if there is food left on the plate. The host can, at the beginning of the meal, quietly ask the server to clear only when the entire table has finished. Even if this is not a restaurant's general practice, there is every reason to believe that such a request would be honored. If you, as the host, have an objection to the way your table is cleared, please communicate it to the management. They set the policy, not the wait staff.

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