Twenty minutes remained before the
lunch period was over. Could we change their minds this one time? We entered. The manager, Eric, said yes. Our wish had been granted. In we went, excited to have been allowed to enter, with short notice, Mandarin style.
The hot and cold stations needed cleaning. It was near 3:00 p.m.. We were in the way, we knew. Yet here was the manager, Eric, helping us make our selections. It was Chinese New Year and our favourite foods, dim sum, were available, for another month. I was overjoyed. In no time we were seated and on our way to the hot tables.
A pot of jasmine tea had been made, ready for our enjoyment. Within a half hour we were done, having chosen a main course, soup and a dessert, the simple, yet delicious creme brulee. We left quickly, surprising the staff, after being allowed in when normally no one would have been permitted as the staff geared up for the dinner rush.
Today's visit was quick and clean. And why shouldn't it have been? Our Mr.Wiggles was alone at home. We had a deadline too. (His 14-year-old sister, Sally, had died last summer.) He loved company. Pet owners understand. But our visit at this favourite dining spot, the Mandarin, a chain of buffet restaurants in Canada, filled an immediate need: no waiting, limitless choices at an all-inclusive price.
In this quiet interlude, I was reminded, sadly, of other times where the freedom of choice at all-you-can-eats has become a hideous abuse of power. Decades ago, the introduction of these trendy buffets was an exciting and welcoming change in both the United States and Canada. Some chains are now slowly disappearing. I wonder why?
It is
great trying new foods prepared by trained chefs while skilled wait
staff hover near us to keep our tables (and customers, too) clean and food
stations - hot or cold - filled to capacity. Nowadays, it is a troubling display of excessive
hoarding of food for some patrons as they endeavour to pile it on, trip after
trip, to the buffet leaving troubling amounts of food on plates to be removed, discarded like trash. Why is so much taken? Our duty is simple: eat what you choose. Survey the food landscape first. Our bodies - not our eyes- tell us when we are full.
Where is the respect for all the animals who died to provide us with the most sought after proteins? Discarding overfilled plates is both costly and irresponsible! Then we order water - at no charge - and forget to even drink it. Not nice!
Inconsiderate behaviour,
coupled with the mindless wasting of food is not what All You Can Eat is
about. Bankruptcy is just around the corner
for these entrepreneurs whose buffet profile for the public is
backfiring big time. Arrogance is not cool!
When our sons were
young, rules were set for dining out. Different restaurant profiles; different rules. Non-compliance meant a no-return policy until
lessons were learned. Simple and non-negotiable. At buffets, each child chose 3 foods on their first trip, 3
on their second, but a different trio this time. Freedom to choose where food is concerned is both an aphrodisiac and a privilege!
Young children have small stomachs. Returned trips were
permitted with restrictions. Desserts were permitted - if it made sense. By this time hunger was gone and intention
took over. An enjoyable moment made possible by many people working, tirelessly, on our behalf, 24/7. Show respect and gratitude. It is not too much to ask.
