# I have a question about women and restaurant meals **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 23, 2025, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208 "2025-10-23T03:38:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/21 "2025-10-23T11:47:19Z")
Darn, you beat my by 13 minutes. This is exactly what I wanted to suggest. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/22 "2025-10-23T12:51:30Z")
I had the same idea. But all three of us latecomers were beaten by > [@needscoffee](#): > > The only scenario I can imagine is if the server is bringing out two of the same order but notices one is slightly larger than the other, so gives it to the person who looks like they eat more. But it sounds more like BS. Here’s a totally different take. My GF is very easy-going. She has a woman in her posse who _always_ sends back whatever she orders in a restaurant. It’s always too hot, too cold, overcooked, undercooked, contains some objectionable ingredient, whatever. When I say “always”, I mean _always_. She insists the restaurant cooks and waitstaff are doing this heinous stuff to her food to plague her. Other than being just a smidgen demanding in other circumstances, she’s a pleasant enough person. The rest of the posse still finds her worthwhile despite this “quirk”. I’ve only eaten with GF’s posse and the return-everything chick a couple times. IMO it’s psycho and it’s embarrassing to the group. It certainly fouls up the cadence of the meal as her replacement food arrives just as everyone else is finishing. I strongly suspect the OP’s story teller is another person with mental / emotional issues. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/23 "2025-10-23T14:42:16Z")
I have doubts the front of the house is working with the back of the house in this way. Not because I don’t think restaurant owners aren’t cheap, they are, it’s just the Front wants the greatest tips and the Back wants the greatest consistency both of which are undone by skimping on female customers. In my serving decade I have never seen or heard of anything like this from any restaurant. On a related note no one spits in your food, they may hate you and that job, but they won’t do that. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/24 "2025-10-23T14:46:18Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > In my serving decade I have never seen or heard of anything like this from any restaurant. On a related note no one spits in your food, they may hate you and that job, but they won’t do that. Farva: Give me a double bacon cheeseburger. Dimpus Burger Guy: [_into mic_] Dubba baca cheeseburger. It’s for a cop. Farva: What the hell’s that all about? You gonna spit in it now? Dimpus[Burger Guy](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0278096/?ref_=ttch_qu): No, I just told him that so he makes it good. [_into mic_] Don’t spit in that cop’s burger. F[arva](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0373571/?ref_=ttch_qu): Yeah, thanks. Second Dimpus Guy: Roger, holding the spit. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/25 "2025-10-23T16:36:05Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > As I recall, that used to be common About a thousand years ago I worked food service at a coed college dorm with male & female dining rooms. The diagram for cutting cake and pie was six slices on the boys’ side and 8 slices on the girls’ side. Of course we who worked for the food service spread the word, and the girls started going to eat in the boys dining room. I’m pretty sure they don’t do that anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/26 "2025-10-23T16:37:43Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Poppycock! I worked in food service for a number of years as a youth, and there ain’t no way for the line cooks to know the gender of anybody they whipping shit up for. Even if you did, would you or any of the other cooks care? ---
**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/27 "2025-10-23T16:51:47Z")
It’s pretty obvious this didn’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/28 "2025-10-23T16:54:54Z")
Look, here’s what you do. Order your food. If it comes wrong. Tell your server after taking a picture, at what ever is wrong. If they fix it or comp it, good. Go home happy. If it’s not fixed, tell the hostess when you pay. Go home leave bad reviews on their site and Yelp. If it’s a franchise, drop a note to corporate. _ETA: don’t tip_ You’re welcome. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/29 "2025-10-23T17:11:38Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > ETA: don’t tip The server may or may not have the ability to fix your problem. No need to punish them for management’s ineptitude. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/30 "2025-10-23T17:31:32Z")
I have to say that I’ve had exactly the opposite experience at one local restaurant. My family celebrates birthdays and anniversaries there three or four times a year. My wife and I always order the same thing: the grilled salmon. For the last umpteen years, she has consistently received a bigger piece of salmon. The difference has been noticeable and I started keeping track of it a few years back. It’s not my imagination…oh, no. In fact, my wife has offered to switch plates with me a couple times. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/31 "2025-10-23T17:41:32Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > As you note, prime rib used to have a “ladies’ cut,” but now it goes by all kinds of different names: English Cut, London Cut, British Cut, or whatever. You want to know what the difference is, just ask. In my experience, if you ask, the servers are happy to explain that (for example), English Cut is for the patron who wants some beef, but not a lot; while British Cut would suit a hungry pro wrestler. Looking at the menu for Lawry’s in LA, their serving sizes, from smallest to largest, are “Tokyo cut”, “California cut”, “English cut”, “Lawry cut”, “Diamond Jim Brady cut”, and “beef bowl double cut”. None of the listing actually say how much beef you’re getting by weight. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/32 "2025-10-23T19:05:38Z")
The management gets enough bitch back from servers, or loses wait staff, they’ll change their ways. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/33 "2025-10-23T19:37:39Z")
> [@bobsmom101](#): > > The diagram for cutting cake and pie was six slices on the boys’ side and 8 slices on the girls’ side. I have heard of restaurants cutting the cake in 7 pieces and most people will think they got 1/6. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/34 "2025-10-23T19:45:14Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > Can they not just put that information on the menu? Every restaurant I have ordered steak in has the various weights on the menu. In high end steak houses the waiter may have a list of the various weights for each cut that are available. Sometimes this list is on the wall so you can see. Sometimes the actual pieces of meat are on display. Rather then cutting exactly a 10 ounce sirloin the chef cuts them into good looking portions and the staff weighs each one and puts them on the list. When they are out of 16 to 20 ounce ribeyes they are out. They are not going to break down another beef quarter to make more. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/35 "2025-10-23T19:47:12Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > I mean, yeah, there are doggie bags, but not all leftovers reheat well, you don’t always want to eat the meal again that quickly… Oh, yes I do! I often order something that’ll be sure to give me a second meal, and reheats well. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/36 "2025-10-23T19:55:26Z")
“Better cut it into six slices - I don’t think I can eat eight.” ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/37 "2025-10-23T23:00:30Z")
That’s possible, too. Don’t know them personally. Back in my table-waiting days, I HATED people like this! They were almost as bad as people who would just plain old order something that was not on the menu, with ingredients we did thankfully happen to have, and then complain that it wasn’t “right.” IF YOU’RE THAT PICKY, COOK IT YOURSELF AND EAT AT HOME! (Yes, I’m shouting.) ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/38 "2025-10-23T23:04:47Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Yeah I’m pretty skeptical I’ve never noticed it with my wife and I. Same here. My GF is small in size…borderline tiny (not weirdly so…just small…petite I guess). She gets the same amount of food as I do wherever we go and we go out to eat with some frequency. I can’t say what the OP described never happens but I would be surprised if it was remotely common. Especially since kitchen staff are trained to make a given dish a certain way. It’s an assembly line. There is no “make it smaller” generally. I suppose a waiter could note on the ticket that the person wants a smaller portion and the kitchen staff will try to do that but then that is on the waiter making a note to do that (and why would anyone ask that when they could just take the leftovers home?). My GF is perfectly happy with the portion being too big to eat for her cuz she likes the doggie bag to take home and have more yummy food tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/39 "2025-10-23T23:30:59Z")
I really can’t face leftovers sooner than about 2 days after they were new. e.g. Monday dinner leftovers are maybe approachable by Wed dinnertime. Maybe. I need much greater variety in my life than eating the same thing for dinner twice in a row or dinner tonight & leftover lunch tomorrow. Ugh. Which also means that for every 10 sets of dinner leftovers I bring home, about 7 get pitched uneaten a week later. I’d rather order smaller and not have leftovers. When I go out w GF we typically share one salad or app and one entrée between us. Results in two happy people and no guilt-laden leftover containers. My solo dinner tonight was an appetizer. YMMV. It takes all kinds. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2025, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208/40 "2025-10-23T23:34:46Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > YMMV. It takes all kinds. I’m generally not a fan of leftovers but it really depends on the leftovers too. Some can be really great, possibly better, the next day. Some are fine. Some are just awful as leftovers. And then add in what you are in a mood for. I guess I am somewhere in the middle. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-question-about-women-and-restaurant-meals/1024208.md?page=3)