OK to bring your own leftover containers when you eat out?

[bookworm65t]

Is it ever ok to bring your own leftover containers when you eat out?

My family went to Olive Garden this evening, and my sister let slip that she bought some plastic containers for her leftovers. The rest of the family let her know that this was a faux pas, but she said that it saved time by not having to wait on the server to bring her a box, plus it was environmentally friendly by being reusable (unlike a restaurant box). She had left the Gladware in her car and was going to get it, but others talked her into asking for a box instead.

I thought that my sister had a point, but I have looked for the proper answer online, and have not seen anything so far. What do you think? I'd appreciate your input.

Thanks

bookworm65t

[sadbear]

1. Good idea.

Might start doing that myself.

[fishwax]

2. I don't see why it would be a problem -- seems like a win for everyone

Saves the restaurant--and the environment--the cost of a disposable container.

[hay rick]

3. Great idea.

No faux pas. Saves the server time and the restaurant money. It's flattering because it says I know the restaurant's portions are going to be large enough that I can eat until I'm full and still have enough left over to have another meal at home. And then there's the environment.

All wins. Savvy sister.

[HarveyDarkey]

4. I'd never thought of it

but it sounds like a good idea.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. We always take containers when we go out for lunch.

They are specifically from our restaurant, and we always bring them. No one has ever criticized us, either.

There is so much food that we could not eat it all!

I think your sister is right on.

[Betsy Ross]

6. Inappropriate at an all-you-can-eat place? n/t

[Angry Dragon]

7. That would be the only place

plus it would save the restaurants money for using their containers

[mythology]

13. Olive Garden does have endless breadsticks and salad

But as long as you order an entree, I would think it's still okay there.

I personally wouldn't do it, but that's because I'm a guy and so don't have a purse that would readily hold leftover containers.

[madinmaryland]

8. Please tell me this was not in mid-town Manhattan.

[sarge43]

9. Excellent idea. Good for your sister. n/t

[bookworm65t]

10. thanks!

thanks for the input here. I had kept checking around online, but I have yet to find the etiquette rule for this situation. I am surprised that I haven't seen this come up before.

I can understand why a buffet would ban plastic containers from home, but an average restaurant? I thought my sister had a point; unfortunately, she took some grief over it.

We live in SW OH; not exactly a wellspring of sophistication here.

[HopeHoops]

11. Yes. It's okay. Just don't breast feed at Olive Garden (or Applebee's now).

Bringing your own box saves time, and as you mentioned, the environmental impact. Styrofoam pretty much never breaks down. Go for it.

[pipi_k]

12. I'm all for it!

We always take home leftovers. Aside from the environmental thing (no styrofoam, etc), I would rather pack my own leftovers.

Also, I wouldn't do this at anyone else's house but my stepdaughter's because she and her husband always cook too much and just about always send guests home with food...she encourages everyone to bring a container for taking home leftovers.

Not appropriate at an all-you-can-eat buffet, though. Some of the ones I've been to frown on people taking home half a piece of cake they couldn't quite finish.

[marzipanni]

14. Good idea! I'm going to do that.

I take my cloth bags to the grocery store, take a bag to other stores, or decline a bag if they offer one for one pair of jeans for my son, for instance.
To me, your sister's idea should start a trend! I'd bring the containers in a small cloth shopping bag. Sometimes the wait person brings a container to the table anyway, rather than carry the plate away and bring the person/doggy bag back.

Some of the restaurants in the college town near here are enlightened enough to use foil pans with paper lids, so at least the containers are recyclable. When the restaurant offers styrofoam boxes, and the extra food is wrappable, I've asked for a square of aluminum foil instead.

[LNM]

15. I'm glad you asked the question.

I've been thinking about doing this, but keep forgetting my containers when I walk out the door. I wouldn't do it at an upscale restaurant and certainly not at a buffet, but with grocery stores promoting cloth bags and restaurants trying to use recyclable containers, I think it's a trend we should embrace.

Edit to add: I'm pleased with the mostly positive responses.

[trof]

16. OK, it's 'eco-friendly', but...

I dunno.
Just sounds kinda tacky.
But that's just me.