# Restaurant question: Does it seem wrong to say "Still working on that?"
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [January 29, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127 "2006-01-29T23:01:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Ty\_Cobb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ty_Cobb)
#### Post date: [January 29, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127/1 "2006-01-29T23:01:55Z")
[Recent Doonesbury cartoon](http://i1.tinypic.com/mtxtn6.gif)
It always sounds wrong to me. Do you think it’s okay?
If not, what should they say? What did they used to say?
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### Author:  [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2006, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127/2 "2006-01-30T04:43:11Z")
Never bothered me to hear it. I supposed “Are you finished with that?” would work just as well but I’m not too prickly about how my server inquires about my plate status so long as they inquire before removing my half salad.
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### Author:  [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2006, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127/3 "2006-01-30T04:47:34Z")
I usually hear “may I clear that?” or “May I take that out of your way?”
Actually, I’ve gotten into the habit of asking for a take home container before I’m even a quarter of the way thru the entree. By the time they bring it, I’m about a third done, and that’s about all I’ll eat at that time. I always get two more meals out of it. Plus I’ve left room for dessert
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### Author:  [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2006, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127/4 "2006-01-30T05:55:36Z")
In an ideal world, the server would be attentive enough to see if you’re still eating, without being obvious about it. He/She should NOT offer to take the plate away while your fork is in action mode!
Personally, I don’t like the “working on it” phrase; it sounds like the meal is a chore.
It also depends on the venue. In a diner, well, you take what you get. In a fine dining establishment, there is a certain protocol that should be followed when everyone is finished. Plates should not be taken one at a time; it makes those who are still enjoying the meal feel rushed. The server should notice when everyone has stopped eating and then remove all the plates at once.
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### Author:  [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127/5 "2006-01-30T16:21:24Z")
The better version of “Still workin’ on that, hon?” is **“May I take your plate?”** It makes no comment about the contents of the plate, the state of my appetite, etc.
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### Author:  [@thwartme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thwartme)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127/6 "2006-01-30T20:52:34Z")
So “Jeebus Cripes, Dumbo, are you through filling your pie-hole yet?” is inappropriate?
I would say I hear “Are you through, here?” or something similar most often. Doesn’t really bother me either way.
I will say that the overly familiar wait-staff thing usually bugs the hell out of me. So however the question in question is phrased, at least it’s directly related to their job.
thwartme
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### Author:  [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2006, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127/7 "2006-01-30T21:01:32Z")
> [@thwartme](#):
>
> I will say that the overly familiar wait-staff thing usually bugs the hell out of me. So however the question in question is phrased, at least it’s directly related to their job.
Around here, everyone is expected to be laid back and overly familiar waitstaff is pretty common. But last night, we had a younger waiter ( he volunteered that he was 19), and he kinda bugged. I think he was trying to hard. Could be that I’m getting old and grumpy though.
Normally, “Are you still working on that” is acceptable to me because it suits my eating style. I do indeed work at my plate like it’s a chore. No talking, just power through it till I’m done or, if I’m at Chuy’s, can’t eat another bite.
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### Author:  [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127/8 "2006-01-30T21:53:18Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#):
>
> The better version of “Still workin’ on that, hon?” is **“May I take your plate?”** It makes no comment about the contents of the plate, the state of my appetite, etc.
Respectfully disagree. To me that says “I think you’ve had enough.” It makes me feel like I _should_ be finished, even though I might not be.
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### Author:  [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2006, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurant-question-does-it-seem-wrong-to-say-still-working-on-that/342127/9 "2006-01-30T23:19:02Z")
> [@tdn](#):
>
> Respectfully disagree. To me that says “I think you’ve had enough.” It makes me feel like I _should_ be finished, even though I might not be.
Fair enough. But I’ve only ever heard it when I was obviously finished eating – either the plate was empty or I had set it aside – and/or when the next course had arrived. I believe this phrase is also endorsed by Miss Manners, although I don’t have the time to dig up a cite right now.