Whats the proper way of placing Buffalo wing bones at a restaurant?

Question

When ordering food like Buffalo wings or an appetizer with shells or bones I was taught that one should place leftover bones in a napkin never on the appetizer plate. My friend was taught to place the bones back on the appetizer plate which one is correct. We are friends we were just wondering just in case we were out to eat with co-workers future in-laws. etc..

Answer 1

If you have your own individual plate just put them on your plate.  If you're sharing a plate put them on a napkin.  Buffalo wings aren't the classiest of foods to eat so I wouldn't worry too much about etiquette in this situation.

Answer 2

I would say, place them on a napkin until the appetizer plate is empty.  I don't want to eat something off of a plate where someone else has placed a discarded food item that they have been chewing on.  That's kind of gross.  Kind of like double dipping, but worse.

If it were your family and they didn't mind, it would be one thing.  But co-workers?  Nuh-uh.

Answer 3

I would stray away from Wings or things you have to suck/bite off the bone.. not good for dates or eating with people in a buisness situation, they are good but... no way you eat them is going to look proper.. :0) If your going to do it though ask for a small side plate .. put them on that plate and cover them with a napkin so people dont have to look at the slobbered on bones/shells.

I was a waitress for a while.. and seeing women on dates who ordered Wings or ribs and ate them with hands and all was kinda gross...then just tossing them on the same plate was even worse.. if someone wants to try what your eating.. they aren't going to want to if the bones are on the same plate.. so.. best I would say is the side plate, I always offered it as a waitress and people really liked that.. and if they wanted to share everyone could use the same "throw away" plate without being gross also its easier for the waitress to clean up for you.. they cant take a plate of chewed up bones and bring you a fresh one.. very proper no one sees the bones :0)

Try using a fork to eat them if you can too, just going primal at a resturaunt thats not a beer place or friends being friends is .. so blah.

* If the waitress doesnt bring you a throw away plate.. ask for one also ask her if she can keep it semi-empty.. a good waitress will do this for you.. they know.. it takes 2 seconds..there is no other attractive way to dispose of your chewed on bones. * If she doesnt bring you the plate be ready for a small amount of napkins too.. Psht shed be getting a 10% tip...

Answer 4

Put the bones on a plate, the napkin is to thin and and juice might leak thru to the table.  Always eat buffallo wings with one hand leaving your other hand clean, that way you can pick up your drink without getting wing sauce all over it.  

P.S  If your eating buffallo wings I wouldnt worry to much about etiquette.

Answer 5

Often times, the rstaurant will bring you an extra dish for the bones or clam shells or whatever.  They should also anticipate the messiness of the situation and bring you extra napkins and some sort of moist napkin at the end of the meal.  If not you can always go to the restroom to wash.