Why do people stack up plates when finished eating in a restaurant. It makes the waiters so much harder?

Question

Why do people stack up plates when finished eating in a restaurant. It makes the waiters so much harder?

Answer 1

Because the waiters are so inconsiderate these days that they don't/won't clear the plates after the diners have finished with them.  This coupled with the fact that diners are then asked to pay their wages through tips makes most diners want to stack more than that on the table.

Answer 2

Well, they stack up the plates so that they can have more space where to put the other plates.

Answer 3

to help the waiter-its like a rule of thumb-when eating out...,most waiters are very gracious-b.c it makes clean-up faster:}

Answer 4

it helps the waiter

Answer 5

I do it, admittedly. I thought it made it easier because I'm sure I've seen waiters do it?

Answer 6

I do it because I was under the impression that it was helpful. Instead of stacking the plates themselves, all the wait staff or busing staff has to do is pick up the stack.

I clean my table off. I stack my glasses. I stack my plates. I do everything I can to make it easier on them. If this isn't helpful, could you explain why? I'll stop doing it if it is actually harder.

Answer 7

Because the waiter doesnt always pick it up when Im done( Im not the only table they have) and I want it out of my way when Im done and it takes less space on the table.

Answer 8

It opens up space on the table for resting elbows and gets the dishes out of the way of sleeves.  It also comes from watching the waiters stack the dirty dishes as they pick them up.  Of course, if the waiter is properly attentive, the dishes are removed before they every get stacked.  Of course, that interrupts conversation, but so does "is everything OK?" without taking the dishes.

Answer 9

No it doesnt.  It's much easier to grab them when they are stacked hence less trips back and forth to the kitchen and table.

Answer 10

in that old lady's ettiquette book, she says it is improper t stack your plates in a restaurant.

I'll still stack them if the wait person don't take them in a timely fashion, just to make room.

Answer 11

actually, speaking from experience, it makes it easier. as long as you stack it evenly.

i really appreciate when tables do that for me - it gets me out of their face faster, and makes my job a little easier.

Answer 12

I do it because I am trying to help, not make it harder for them.  How does it make it harder for them?  It clears space so they can put down the next course's plates.  And it is a sign that we are done and they can come and get the plates or give us the check.

Answer 13

It actually makes it eaiser for the waiters.  The stack them anyway.  It's makes for a easy cleaning.  Who wants a bunch of dirty dishes in front of them while they're trying to chat.