And the difference is…?

I recently went to a local restaurant, where I thoroughly enjoyed my meal but wasn’t able to finish it.

I asked our waitress if I could take the leftovers home, but was refused due to ‘health regulations’. That’s fine, and I wouldn’t have worried about it, IF the very same restaurant didn’t offer takeaway as well.

I understand the reason for not allowing ‘doggy bags’ – taking food home, having it in the fridge for a few days and reheating it, only to potentially come down with food poisoning or similar – but what is the difference in me taking home some leftovers from my meal and reheating them, or getting some takeaway food from the same place, not eating it all, and reheating it at home a few days later? Aren’t the potential dangers identical?

The world we live in is full of, in my father’s words, “bureaucratic bullshit”.

7 Comments on "And the difference is…?"



Jenn says:
January 7, 2010 at 12:55am

Wow, I’ve NEVER heard of that happening. I mean, I can kind of understand, if they didn’t have takeaway. It seems like their policy is slightly hypocritical? Weird. :/

Damita
Twitter: says:
January 7, 2010 at 12:59am

What?? Eh you should be allowed, never heard of that how sucky!

Caitlin says:
January 7, 2010 at 4:21am

Wow! I’ve never heard of such a thing…that’s crazy!

Sarah @ OneStarryNight says:
January 8, 2010 at 9:17am

If you’re still bothered, I would call up the management and ask them what their policy is, what you were told, and what incentive could they offer you to return to that establishment.

Terri
Twitter: says:
January 8, 2010 at 9:22am

@Sarah – I am bothered by it, but we know the management kind of well (and the waitress who told me we couldn’t take it home is one of the owners). I felt like I should write to the local paper about it, but I’m guessing they’d know who wrote it.
I guess I just needed to vent :P

Nichola says:
January 9, 2010 at 6:13am

Eww that is really strange, thats double standards!

Cole
Twitter: says:
January 11, 2010 at 11:55am

Strange