Have you ever witnessed anything gross in a buffet on land or at sea before by another person? Cruise ships are no different than buffets on land, except for being at sea. Buffets have to be maintained because some careless people make a mess or contaminate the food. Many cruise ships have workers stationed at the buffet to watch for this and remove any food as quickly as possible once contaminated or even just running low. There are some basic guidelines and things not to do when in a buffet on a cruise ship. Actually, these guidelines could even be applied to most land buffets too. Enjoy and here is what not to do:
1. Make Sure You Aren't Coughing and Sneezing Into The Food
If you have to cough or sneeze it is not the end of the world. However, don't cough or sneeze into the food. Most buffets have sneeze guards in place, but these are not guaranteed to keep all germs from touching the food. If you need to cough or sneeze try to sneeze into the sleeve of your shirt instead of your hands. If you do this in your hands and touch the buffet tongs you are still spreading germs. Always cough or sneeze away from the food and other people. I also recommend that you wash or hands before eat to make sure that you have gotten rid of as many germs as possible.
2. No Touching The Food
This should be common sense. Do not touch the food unless you are using designated tongs or silverware to dish your food out. Do not touch the food with your hands or fingers. If the designated serving utensil completely falls into the food you should notify a crew member so they can help you get in out in a clean manner. If they use their hands to touch the food you should notify someone above them and not take any of that food item. The bottom line is don't touch the food at all except when you are eating it on your own plate!
3. Cutting In Line: Highly Debated Topic
I am not going to give a definite answer on this one because this such a highly debated topic and there are so many variables involved. If you are cutting in line to be malicious or rude then you definitely should not. However, sometimes people want to cut in line for one food item or for some silverware. If this is your scenario you should politely ask the person that you would like to cut in front of and tell them you just want one thing. If they say no, don't argue and just go to the end of the line. Do not get in a fight or argument with anybody over this as this could result in punishment or getting kicked off.
4. Taking More Than You Can Eat - Don't Do This
Don't take more food than you plan to eat. There is a lot of food waste in the buffet because most people are not able to gauge how much food they will or they just want to take a lot for the sake of taking a lot. Take a little bit of food to start with and if you want more you can get in line again and get more! Everyone can do their part to try to cut down on food waste!
If you have to cough or sneeze it is not the end of the world. However, don't cough or sneeze into the food. Most buffets have sneeze guards in place, but these are not guaranteed to keep all germs from touching the food. If you need to cough or sneeze try to sneeze into the sleeve of your shirt instead of your hands. If you do this in your hands and touch the buffet tongs you are still spreading germs. Always cough or sneeze away from the food and other people. I also recommend that you wash or hands before eat to make sure that you have gotten rid of as many germs as possible.
2. No Touching The Food
This should be common sense. Do not touch the food unless you are using designated tongs or silverware to dish your food out. Do not touch the food with your hands or fingers. If the designated serving utensil completely falls into the food you should notify a crew member so they can help you get in out in a clean manner. If they use their hands to touch the food you should notify someone above them and not take any of that food item. The bottom line is don't touch the food at all except when you are eating it on your own plate!
3. Cutting In Line: Highly Debated Topic
I am not going to give a definite answer on this one because this such a highly debated topic and there are so many variables involved. If you are cutting in line to be malicious or rude then you definitely should not. However, sometimes people want to cut in line for one food item or for some silverware. If this is your scenario you should politely ask the person that you would like to cut in front of and tell them you just want one thing. If they say no, don't argue and just go to the end of the line. Do not get in a fight or argument with anybody over this as this could result in punishment or getting kicked off.
4. Taking More Than You Can Eat - Don't Do This
Don't take more food than you plan to eat. There is a lot of food waste in the buffet because most people are not able to gauge how much food they will or they just want to take a lot for the sake of taking a lot. Take a little bit of food to start with and if you want more you can get in line again and get more! Everyone can do their part to try to cut down on food waste!