I was curious about something and wanted the consensus opinion of the message board about it. It has to do with the customs of eating food within large groups (family or friends), and what you people prefer. Perhaps this is all subjective due to people growing up in different cultures and having different experiences, but it would still be nice to have some insight.
Basically I'm wondering if it's in your tradition when your with your family and or friends and order food at a restaurant, to share a lot of the dishes you order so everyone has a chance to eat everything or are you used to everyone ordering their own dish? I guess to break it down and make it more simple...
Family-style dining
PROS: Everyone gets to share everything that is ordered.
CONS: You don't get to enjoy all of what you ordered, and you might not want to eat what someone else is offering, yet you are still expected to give up your own portions.
Individual-style dining
PROS: You get to eat the entire meal you order and it's all to yourself. Not sharing. It's yours.
CONS: You are only allowed to eat your own dish which makes ordering more crucial. If someone else has a more interesting dish, too bad.
Obviously this isn't set in stone. It depends on the type of restaurant (buffets negate this obviously) and the person. I'm a picky eater so unfortunately I'm used to individual style eating. And I wasn't really raised in a way to eat in a family-style manner when out at restaurants, so I'm not used to it (unless it's at home, which in my opinion is different). I don't mind doing the sharing thing though. I've done it a good amount and it seems to be paramount in Chinese cultures (I have a lot of Chinese friends) so I've been through it a lot. It's just not the first option I would be interested in.
What about you guys?
Basically I'm wondering if it's in your tradition when your with your family and or friends and order food at a restaurant, to share a lot of the dishes you order so everyone has a chance to eat everything or are you used to everyone ordering their own dish? I guess to break it down and make it more simple...
Family-style dining
PROS: Everyone gets to share everything that is ordered.
CONS: You don't get to enjoy all of what you ordered, and you might not want to eat what someone else is offering, yet you are still expected to give up your own portions.
Individual-style dining
PROS: You get to eat the entire meal you order and it's all to yourself. Not sharing. It's yours.
CONS: You are only allowed to eat your own dish which makes ordering more crucial. If someone else has a more interesting dish, too bad.
Obviously this isn't set in stone. It depends on the type of restaurant (buffets negate this obviously) and the person. I'm a picky eater so unfortunately I'm used to individual style eating. And I wasn't really raised in a way to eat in a family-style manner when out at restaurants, so I'm not used to it (unless it's at home, which in my opinion is different). I don't mind doing the sharing thing though. I've done it a good amount and it seems to be paramount in Chinese cultures (I have a lot of Chinese friends) so I've been through it a lot. It's just not the first option I would be interested in.
What about you guys?