Etiquette
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Do not insist guests take leftovers home if you lack disposable containers, as no one wants to keep your personal dishes.
Guests do not want to be responsible for returning your pans, bowls, or plates.
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- Provide inexpensive disposable containers when hosting to indicate guests may take food home.4
- Avoid buying cheap Tupperware to leave at a host's house; instead, buy it to take food back yourself.1
Place an old keychain with unused keys on a bar table to reserve your spot.
The extreme worst case is losing some keys you do not need.
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Text the host from your car to say you have arrived so they can open the door before you approach.
The door is often open by the time you get there.
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In most commercial buildings, pull doors to enter and push them to exit.
To ensure proper fire safety by preventing inhabitants from having to pull against a crowd trying to exit.
- Some commercial buildings do not follow this pattern.
- This convention is not standard in Europe, specifically Italy.
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Consider that homeless people may prefer cash over food for other needs like cigarettes, beer, or soda.
They often turn down food because they want money instead.
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Use the lounge-style restrooms at Dillard's department stores, which are often empty.
They are located in older malls where they tend to be less crowded.
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Leave a note stating the dish is now the recipient's property when delivering meals to those in need.
It reduces stress by removing the obligation to wash and return items.
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Open a private door an inch and pause before entering fully to allow occupants time to react.
This is considered common courtesy or common sense.
- Some suggest simply knocking instead.
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Use restrooms in craft stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby for cleaner and more peaceful results.
These stores have fewer male shoppers.
2 people, independently
Keep a supply of inexpensive disposable takeout containers on hand for giving away leftovers so you do not lose your own storage containers.
This prevents losing your Tupperware.
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Avoid basement restrooms in libraries or large buildings during power outages, as they may lack emergency lighting and become pitch black.
No emergency lights outside stairwells can leave it pitch black.
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Take buffet food from the back or middle to avoid contamination from serving utensil handles.
Filthy spoon handles inevitably fall into the food.
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Prefer Starbucks restrooms over fast-food chains like McDonald's or Burger King.
Starbucks bathrooms are usually cleaner.
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When supporting first responders, provide food in wrappers like cheeseburgers, tacos, or burritos rather than pizza or catering platters.
Wrappers provide a barrier between the contaminants they handle and their food.
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Rely on context clues rather than assuming intuitive design when encountering doors with handles on both sides.
Many doors are poorly designed, featuring handles on both sides which contradicts the expectation that flat plates are for pushing and handles for pulling.
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Bring a Tupperware container filled with cupcakes or cookies to Thanksgiving dinner to ensure you have an empty container available for taking home leftovers.
Laying out the treats ensures you have an empty container upon arrival.
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