# Would you accept leftover food from diners at the next table? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 23, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106 "2024-08-23T18:41:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/1 "2024-08-23T18:41:44Z")
My sister described this situation. She and her husband stopped in at a moderately upscale sit down restaurant (botanical garden cafe). They ordered and as they were waiting for their food, the couple at the next table said they were leaving. They had 1/2 of a pizza which they said they had not touched, and asked if my sister and BIL wanted it. So, do you accept it? Are there any limits on what sorts of food you would or would not accept, or other relevant factors? (Sis and BIL accepted it and said it was delicious! I probably would accept it as well, but I think pizza may be about the only food I would accept, since it comes cut by restaurant staff, is usually served with a serving utensil, and usually sits somewhat removed from the diners on its own tray, rather than on their plates.) ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/2 "2024-08-23T18:47:12Z")
Assuming that the risk of transmissible diseases by saliva is low, or 2) I knew for sure that they had never touched the food except with hands, yes, I’d accept it. In fact, this was even somewhat common in China in the 1990s, for diners to finish off the food of previous or other diners. Although that was considerably disease-riskier. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/3 "2024-08-23T18:48:34Z")
I wouldn’t, unless I could cancel what I had ordered. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/4 "2024-08-23T18:49:55Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I wouldn’t, unless I could cancel what I had ordered. - Or you could pass it on to another tables. It’s a sort of chain meal. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/5 "2024-08-23T18:56:33Z")
Pizza, yes. In fact, I’ve been on both sides of such a transaction. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/6 "2024-08-23T18:57:27Z")
> **Hid hijacker's posts.** > > NEVER… NEVER. Not in a million years. > > Would you accept a drink in a bar, from a stranger? > > Would you accept candy from a guy in a park, who had a white panel van. > > Would you eat at a persons house, you didn’t really know? > > Not me. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/7 "2024-08-23T18:57:56Z")
Posing the question another way, if you were on the staff at said restaurant, and were presented with this offer, would you accept it? I am sure restaurant staff are quite accustomed to seeing barely touched food left behind. My guess is they would not take it. And that is my answer, too. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/8 "2024-08-23T18:59:48Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Pizza, yes. In fact, I’ve been on both sides of such a transaction. Yes, we were at a brewpub and a couple ladies had come in for the birthday, for drinks and an appetiser, and one of them mentioned my pizza looked so good(apparently the appetizer wasnt hat filling) - so I gave her a slice. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Would you accept candy from a guy in a park, who had a white panel van. That has nothing whatsoever to do with the thread here. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/9 "2024-08-23T18:59:52Z")
I absolutely would, then ask for a doggie bag, and present it to the nearest deserving doggie! 🐕 ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/10 "2024-08-23T19:01:27Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > NEVER… NEVER. Not in a million years. > > Would you accept a drink in a bar, from a stranger? > > Would you accept candy from a guy in a park, who had a white panel van. > > Would you eat at a persons house, you didn’t really know? > > Not me. None of those are in any way similar to a slice of pizza from a neighboring table. 🙄 Why do you constantly bring up fear of pedophilia in so many unrelated threads? You have an unhealthy obsession with that subject. Since pizza is shared food anyway, perhaps, depending on what was on it. I’d never accept anything that was on anyone’s plate or that people had eaten from though, of course. That’s just disgusting. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/12 "2024-08-23T19:04:51Z")
> **Hid hijacker's posts.** > > Oh, pah-leesh!! > > Accepting food food from people you don’t know is very dangerous. > > That’s my point. > > I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned pedophilia, on this board. If I did it was in response to someone. > > You are confused. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/13 "2024-08-23T19:06:40Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I don’t I’ve ever mentioned pedophilia, on this board. > You are confused. Uh huh. All those adults who accept candy from strangers in white vans… And your comments re: the recent Olympic opening controversy… ---
**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:** [August 23, 2024, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/14 "2024-08-23T19:08:24Z")
> **Hid hijacker's posts.** > > Hmm? Ok. > > Whatever you say. It must be true. You believe that. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/15 "2024-08-23T19:08:35Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Would you accept a drink in a bar, from a stranger? Been there, done that, but I’m a guy. I’ve had a situation where someone orders a pint of beer, takes a sip, and wants no more. I’ll happily finish it. 🍻 ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/16 "2024-08-23T19:09:09Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Accepting food food from people you don’t know is very dangerous. While the risk of deliberate mischief from the people at the next table is not zero, it’s pretty damn close. Although I have a dim view of humanity generally, I don’t assume random diners are out to poison me with their leftovers. ETA: I would probably decline, however. The chances of them ordering my preferred toppings is pretty slight. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/17 "2024-08-23T19:09:15Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Accepting food food from people you don’t know is very dangerous. Care for a walnetto? ---
**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:** [August 23, 2024, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/18 "2024-08-23T19:09:50Z")
> **Hid hijacker's posts.** > > You tryna kill me? 😊 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/19 "2024-08-23T19:10:00Z")
Just in case it informs anyone’s opinions (and I was hesitant to post too many details in the OP) [THIS is the restaurant.](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/cafe). Just a tad removed from skeeves in panel vans offering candy. And - while I wish to avoid overgeneralizing - not the sorta place I expect poisoners and date rapists to frequent. But I could imagine accepting untouched za at a less fancy neighborhood joint. As I understood it, the za wasn’t huge such that the 1/2 za was pretty much just an appetizer. Of course, they had just finished a bike ride… ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/20 "2024-08-23T19:11:59Z")
In my youth, I was dish dog (the dishwasher) at a fine dining restaurant. While I can’t remember the specifics of who got the chocolate mousse, and why they didn’t eat it, an untouched glass of mousse would frequently make its way to me. Two fingers, a deft scooping motion, and a digital mousse-cicle – several times most evenings. It was divine. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2024, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106/21 "2024-08-23T19:20:37Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Pizza, yes. In fact, I’ve been on both sides of such a transaction. Same here but not recently. I don’t eat out that much anymore unless I am on vacation or visiting with someone. Pizza in a box from strangers in a moderately priced eatery would not bother me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-leftover-food-from-diners-at-the-next-table/1006106.md?page=2)