# Clean your plate or eat somewhere else!
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [June 4, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930 "2010-06-04T14:52:12Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/1 "2010-06-04T14:52:12Z")
[Link](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37507696/ns/world_news-asiapacific/)
_An Australian restaurateur fed up with the waste left by diners has ordered her customers to eat everything on their plates or pay a penalty and be banned from her eatery._
Opinions? Personally I wouldn’t eat anywhere the chef had that kind of attitude.
---
### Author:  [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/2 "2010-06-04T14:55:52Z")
So if I leave a bit of cucumber on my plate, I’m contributing to global warming?
I’d have no problem bringing my business elsewhere.
---
### Author:  [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/3 "2010-06-04T14:58:43Z")
I’ll just tell the waiter: “Bring me exactly 12.49 ounces of Greek salad. I won’t eat a fraction of an ounce more than that.”
---
### Author:  [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/4 "2010-06-04T15:03:54Z")
So when I ate at that place in Toronto where I found a cockroach in my food, I should have eaten that, too? With this chef’s attitude, the cockroach might have been tastier than her food.
---
### Author:  [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/5 "2010-06-04T15:08:04Z")
I’d have no problem never eating there, even if the food was amazing.
---
### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/6 "2010-06-04T15:11:10Z")
They decide how much to serve, and you have to accommodate them?
It’s bad enough when buffet restaurants have signs telling you not to take more food than you can eat.
---
### Author:  [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/7 "2010-06-04T15:11:41Z")
Fuck that. I’d never step foot in that place. The whole “you must clean your plate!” attitude is why so many people are overweight. Isn’t Australia now the fattest nation?
Gee, if that many people aren’t finishing your food, maybe you put too much on there or it’s not that good.
---
### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/8 "2010-06-04T15:12:04Z")
We still tell the family tale of a buffet we visited when my sister, cousins and I were mere youngsters. It had a stern sign saying that any meat left on your plate would incur a $2.00 charge and any vegetables a $1.00 charge (this was in the early 80’s). Being kids, we loaded up on all sorts of food and returned to our table to find out that the food was simply awful. Just plain terrible. We spent the next hour or so that we were there hiding all of our food in plants, napkins, the bathroom, etc.
I know this sort of rule isn’t terribly rare at buffets since the potential for waste is a lot greater.
---
### Author:  [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/9 "2010-06-04T15:27:48Z")
Fuck that noise. I’m paying for it, I’m going to do whatever the fuck I want with it(within polite societal limits, of course). I’ll dump an entire plate of food in the trash if I please.
---
### Author:  [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/10 "2010-06-04T15:41:37Z")
My mother would friggin’ _love_ that place.
---
### Author:  [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/11 "2010-06-04T15:57:52Z")
[Here’s the restaurant’s web page](http://www.wafu.com.au/index.html), in case anyone is interested. The average meal there seems to be about $15-$25, which includes GST. Since you aren’t expected to tip in Australia, that would be roughly $12-$18 as a menu price in the U.S.
ETA: Since I’ll be in Sydney next month, I might try to go there.
---
### Author:  [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/12 "2010-06-04T16:04:10Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> [Link](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37507696/ns/world_news-asiapacific/)
>
> _An Australian restaurateur fed up with the waste left by diners has ordered her customers to eat everything on their plates or pay a penalty and be banned from her eatery._
**No soup for you!**
---
### Author:  [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/13 "2010-06-04T16:04:20Z")
> [@Giles](#):
>
> [Here’s the restaurant’s web page](http://www.wafu.com.au/index.html), in case anyone is interested. The average meal there seems to be about $15-$25, which includes GST. Since you aren’t expected to tip in Australia, that would be roughly $12-$18 as a menu price in the U.S.
>
> ETA: Since I’ll be in Sydney next month, I might try to go there.
Ooh, it’s Japanese food! Leave exactly **one grain of rice** on your plate and see what happens.
I don’t think I’d eat at a place where they’ve got that kind of attitude. There’s a wonderful breakfast spot near me that a few years ago took measures to be more “green” and they explained what they were doing & why. One example is that their huge pile of hash browns is now a smaller pile of hash browns - it’s still plenty of food (I have never walked out of there feeling hungry), they have just dialed it down a little bit, and they are more than happy to give you the older/larger portion (no extra charge) if that’s what you want.
---
### Author:  [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/14 "2010-06-04T16:05:21Z")
Oh it’s just more self-regarding holier-than-thou environmentalism as superiority complex.
> [@](#):
>
> Don’t use brand new plastic containers you just grabbed from a shop nearby! This just goes to show you want a quick fix and haven’t thought much about waste prevention.
“This just goes to show . . .” followed by an accusatory imputation of some made-up (but, to them, shameful) motivation. What a bunch of smug priggish jackasses.
---
### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/15 "2010-06-04T16:06:26Z")
They also dictate which containers you may use when ordering takeout.
[Our Policies](http://www.wafu.com.au/policies.html)
> [@](#):
>
> Takeaway orders are available. Please allow extra time for large orders. It is best to preorder your takeaway meal via phone. Please be clear in what you want to order and make sure you bring a sufficient amount of containers or plates (bring extra if you’re unsure).
>
> Please bring your own reusable storage containers or plates!
>
> When using your own storage containers for takeaway food, we give you a 30% discount and stamp your Wafu card towards the reward of a $20 voucher to be used for anything in the store!
>
> Using our containers incurs a $3 fee for EACH container used to package your meal. Trying to order takeaway without your own containers or plates may also result in refusal of service.
>
> We advocate respect for food, waste prevention and doing what is best for the environment. Help us to do what we can to shape our future!
---
### Author:  [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/16 "2010-06-04T16:22:37Z")
So if you prepare some and it tastes like crap, I _have_ to eat oit or pay a penalty? Bite me!
That place will need to have orgasmically good food in order to stay in business. Most people eat out for social and convenience aspects. If you create rules that interfere with either, people just won’t go.
---
### Author:  [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/17 "2010-06-04T17:08:00Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Please bring your own reusable storage containers or plates!
So they take your containers back to the kitchen and load up your order? Bizarre.
It’s good that they’re concerned about waste, especially with take-away containers, but their attitude about uneaten food is all wrong.
The little local cafe isn’t equipped for take-away. If you ask for take-out, you get it on a flimsy paper plate covered with aluminum foil. So you either don’t ask for take-out or you provide your own container. It’s a matter of economy though – the owner/operator/sole employee just can’t afford to provide something better.
---
### Author:  [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/18 "2010-06-04T17:26:57Z")
I would not eat there. He’s insane.
---
### Author:  [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/19 "2010-06-04T17:31:40Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#):
>
> Fuck that. I’d never step foot in that place. The whole “you must clean your plate!” attitude is why so many people are overweight. Isn’t Australia now the fattest nation?
>
> Gee, if that many people aren’t finishing your food, maybe you put too much on there or it’s not that good.
Seriously. I think people should eat as much as their body needs at that time.
And we have to bring our own reusable stuff to pack it up? I’ve never heard of a restaurant not having stuff with which to pack up leftovers.
---
### Author:  [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)
#### Post date: [June 4, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930/20 "2010-06-04T17:51:06Z")
The same philosophy conveyed in a gentler manner would appeal to me more. “Our goal is to reduce our environmental impact and therefore we do not provide take away containers. Please bring your own reusable…” The part where it tells which ones aren’t reusable enough would bug me, except I would already have been dissuaded from eating there.
The website declares the restaurant to be “guilt free” but for whom, the owner or the diners? I don’t want to have anxiety during the meal that I might not finish it. What if I order wrong? You must eat all the salad and vegetables, too! What if I love the entree I’ve chosen but hate the salad dressing?
The website made me think of the Simpsons episode where we see Lisa grown up. Listing things she has in common with Hugh she says “and we’re both utterly humorless about our vegetarianism.” (or nearly that).
A quick look at the menu shows that an order of edamame is priced the same as a salmon roll, which just seems odd to me. Also I didn’t find any address or directions for the restaurant. Maybe they really don’t want customers.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clean-your-plate-or-eat-somewhere-else/541930.md?page=2)