So here’s a frugal question… Someone I know, (I swear this story is not about me), has been brown bagging lunches in an effort to save money and eat a more balanced diet. One afternoon a bunch of coworkers asked if she’d like to go out to lunch with them. She considered the offer, but didn’t really want to waste a perfectly good sandwich.
She knew the lunch she packed was healthier and cheaper than one she would buy, but she didn’t want to eat alone while all her other coworkers went out together. After contemplating the options she decided to head out for lunch with her coworkers, but decided to bring her sandwich along for the ride.
When she got to the restaurant three of her coworkers purchased meals, while she purchased only a drink and chips. The four of them sat outside of the restaurant and ate their lunches at a picnic table.
After the incident a couple of coworkers commented that they would not have been comfortable taking homemade sandwiches to an establishment and one woman said she thought it was ‘wrong to bring your own food.’
So here’s my question… Do you think it is wrong to bring a homemade sandwich to a restaurant? The woman reasoned that she did purchase chips and a drink so she did not freeload on the restaurant and because her friends were eating at the same table she did not unnecessarily take up a seat. What do you think?
Honestly, I see no reason not to. When I go drink coffee at my local Tully’s, I bring my own bagel or sandwich.
I purchased their overpriced coffee, sat at their table and drank it, afterall; it’s not like I didn’t purchase something at their establishment that would entitle me to a table.
good for this person combining friendliness in going out with her friends and frugality in only ordered chips and a drink.
I think she should be commended
It really depends on a whole host of factors. The fact that they were outside on a picnic table definitely makes it more acceptable, as does the fact that she bought chips and a drink too. If they were inside and she didn’t buy anything, that would be a bit iffy.
Sure, I would do it, especially in the situation you described.
I have gone out to lunch with friends when they wanted to eat somewhere where I didn’t like the food. I went next door and purchased from a different restaurant and then brought it to eat with my friends at the restaurant they selected. Since I didn’t have a problem with this, you can imagine I don’t have a problem with bringing a sandwich. I have also brought juice boxes for my son before to restaurants when I know the selection is limited to mostly soft drinks. I apparently have NO SHAME at all.
In those particular circumstances, I can’t find any fault with brown bagging a lunch. In either case, the table would have been occupied by three people already. Because she went along, the restaurant made a small additional sale on chips and a drink. That’s a sale they wouldn’t have made otherwise. I don’t know that I would feel entirely comfortable doing it, but I think good for her for doing it.
One of my favorite breakfast places, back when I ate out a lot, was right next to a very popular coffee shop, and the restaurant often had long waits for tables. They had no issue whatsoever with people bringing coffees in when they finally got a table. That always seemed like the sensible approach to me. Why antagonize paying customers if they get a drink while waiting for space in your place?
Yes that’s wrong, you do not bring food to a restaurant, I hate frugal people!!
A contrary opinion, here… I know she did make a purchase from the restaurant and occupied a seat at her friends’ table (although the friends might have been asked to share that seat with another solo restaurant diner…)
BUT
I think it’s a bit much to bring your own food to a restaurant. Especially at a busy lunchtime, the restaurant is “selling” those seats to people who purchase their meal from the restaurant.
I understand she didn’t want to waste her sandwich. Why not leave it in the work fridge and have it tomorrow?
Pleasantly,
Meadow
It is against health department laws in our state. You cannot bring outside food into a restaurant. Common sense needs to be in place though – as in baby food.
I used to be a waitress and people do this fairly often. Well, often enough. None of the staff or management seemed to have a problem or really even notice this. Especially when they are paying customers who buy drinks and are dining with several other people who are paying customers. If someone came in with a group and purchased nothing, just was there for the company, no one would say that was wrong.