Food take-away from parties attended
By hexebella
@hexebella (1136)
Philippines
February 4, 2011 10:10am CST
In the Philippines it has been a(bad as I consider)habit that people who attended parties would take-away foods with them upon leaving to bring home to the other members of the families who did not attend the same. I would allow this and I would do it if the host is my relative. When I was a kid, we attend parties in my uncle's house and my aunt would pack foods for take away for everybody, all were my aunties and uncles as it was normally a family affair. But if the host is not a family or relative I look at it as a bad habit. Filipinos love to do this not only in the Philippines but also when they are in other countries within the Filipino community. Some hosts are offering to send food take away for the invitees, some invitees are requesting to have take away. Even if I'm offered, I always refuse, I find it awkward and embarrassing. Just yesterday I hosted a small party at home, some invitees were not able to come but sent the message to pack food for them.
Is it the same in your country? For other filipinos, do you do it? How do you see this practice? Your thoughts please.
4 people like this
14 responses
@jhaidro (877)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
I think that this is a typical Filipino habit. Maybe it is a part of our culture even. This always happens and I mean always. It only differs from the manner of doing it. Since I was a kid, this has always been a ritual. Before all of the guests leave, the host would always offer something to bring home. However, few months back, I attended a party and to my surprise, the guests started packing the food even without the party being started. And to make the story worse, they did not even asked permission from the host. And when the signal to start eating was given, there was just a few of the preparations left. It is always good to not waste food but parties are feasts. Everybody should have a piece of the serving. If there will be left overs, then they can do take away. But that is just the point. They should wait until it is over.
1 person likes this
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
6 Feb 11
Hi jhaidro!
That was really terrible that the people started to pack the foods before the guests started to eat. Without the permission of the host, that is considered stealing.
If there are no more guests coming, the other guests could take away some left overs and I do believe that the host would be happy to share. But there are times that hospitality is being abused so instead this habit would reflect a good will towards the the host, what is seen is the bad habit of the people who abuse it. Sad to say that this is becoming a Filipino trademark.
@beamer88 (4259)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
I wouldn't mind if my guests ask me if they can bring home some food with them when they're about to leave. What I do mind is people who hoard food in order to take some with them home. It's like stealing for me. I've seen this happen not only in private parties but even the big office parties where people had salaries not lower than P100,000 a month, and that's big for Filipino standards. It's really a bad habit and I do hope Filipinos learn not to do these things.
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
6 Feb 11
Thanks beamer88 for your response.
Being the host and with our hospitality spirit, we really do not mind if they requested and maybe they loved the way it was cooked. But hoarding the food so they can take home is really stealing as they are taking the food without any permission from the host. Indeed that the Php 100k/month salary is really huge for Filipino standards and its really shameful that this people will do such a thing. With the people living under poverty line, we would understand and maybe the host would even offer them for food take-away if they are not expecting any guest anymore.
Personally, I am ashame to take home food if the host is not a family or relative.
@ybong007 (6643)
• Philippines
7 Feb 11
Taking take away seems to be the norm but I find it annoying too. It's OK if the party or event is over and you still have enough left, so you don't have left overs to worry after. But there are people that ask for pa balot just as the party is at its peak. I remember one time when I had my eldest baptized and this person whom I never even know personally ask me if I chop him a few slices of lechon as take away and the most of the visitors haven't even eaten yet.
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
9 Feb 11
Hi ybong007!
Whew! I got messed up with my reply to rodmarqc.....it was your reply I had in mind and I replied to him LOL!
this guy who asked for take away has strong guts and in the middle of the party huh? But of course, being the host, we can not turn down those kind of requests even we are irritated inside....food is food and I believe it's not good to decline if somebody requested for it. But shame on these people who are abusing the Filipino hospitality....
Thanks for replying and happy myLotting!
@rodmarqc24 (78)
• Philippines
5 Feb 11
This happens so many times as this is considered as part of our culture. Perhaps it was a spanish influence as it typically happens during fiestas. In my observation when we have a party, we usually offer our relatives to take out foods as it will spoil if not consumed. There was a time when when we had this party that my friend asked if she can take out food, so i packed food for her and felt embarrassed in the eyes of other visitors.
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
9 Feb 11
Hello rodmarqc24!
If there are left overs of course we will offer the guest to take home some so as not to waste the food, we can instead share it. But this guest you mentioned somewhat has a thick face, to ask for take away while the party is on going and you don't even know him! Well, maybe because you don't know him and you won't see him again anymore LOL! Sad to admit the fact that our Kabayans (fellow filipinos) have these not acceptable behavior.
Thanks for replying! Cheers!
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
9 Feb 11
LOL! LOL!
sorry.....I got messed up.....i picked up a different thought......LOL!
anyhow, I'm wondering how close you are to that friend who asked for take away....she could have done it in secret and direct from the kitchen.
@EdnaReyes (2622)
• Philippines
5 Feb 11
I think this is a part of our being hospitable, being a good host or hostess. This is also a sort of family extension spirit, taking care of our family even in absence, I do not find this embarrassing cause this is a way of being a Filipino. This is a trademark of a Filipino to ask for
a take out! ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES! I found it amusing and showcase our love of family and friends!
a take out! ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES! I found it amusing and showcase our love of family and friends!@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
9 Feb 11
Hi EdnaReyes!
I envy you....because you can see on the other side...you find this practice amusing but I find this irritating sometimes if I could see that these people are abusing the Filipino hospitality. We have a saying that if you give your hand people will take your whole arm.
Anyway, have fun! Thanks.
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
11 Feb 11
I am a Filipino too and like you, when the party was hosted by a relative , i accept offers of bringing home foods. But when they are of other people, i vehemently refuse.
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
11 Feb 11
Hi SIMPLYD!
Yes indeed, I am even obliged to accept if offered especially if from a family or relative, but I consider it a shameful act to request for a take away as I have already eaten. It's like abusing the host.
@GardenGerty (160390)
• United States
5 Feb 11
The biggest occasions I attend are at the church and many people contribute. I have noticed that when we clean up it is not unusual to make up take homes for the people who need it and can make the best use of it, like old people or young families with many children. I think if it is offered at a private party it is often because the host has more left than they want to keep around the house. I do not think it is right to ask to take stuff home. At family parties we all tend to bring different dishes. For the young un married guys we often will send home dishes. If someone is sick or cannot come, we take them a plate. I guess we do not think much about it either way. Again, if someone has a large family, we try to make things easy for them.
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
9 Feb 11
Hi GardenGerty!
So food take away is also a practice in your country. But it seems that it is done on purpose, to be given for those who really need it and not just to satisfy the whim of the guests. Food should not be wasted and in cases of left overs it can be given away. But asking for food take away before the party or even before the party is over is somewhat not acceptable.
Thanks for replying. Cheers!
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
6 Feb 11
Thanks choybel for commenting.
I agree with you that in attending parties, we should not expect to take home some food. I believe that we were invited because the host would like to have our presence for the celebration of whatever occasion it may be, otherwise the host could have just packed the foods and sent it across to friends and relatives. But if it's a family affair, I would rather accept than refuse because my relative would feel offended if I won't accept the offered take home food.
@shaggin (72012)
• United States
4 Feb 11
If I have a party I usually offer to send food home with the guests but sometimes I just want to eat whatever left overs are left. I see a lot of people anymore not waiting to see if they are offered to take food home. Instead they ask the host of the party if it is ok to take food home for their family. Its different if the family member is sick and cannot make it to the party but sometimes people just simply dont feel like going and to me thats not right to take food home to someone who didnt want to attend because then it is their fault they are missing out on the food.
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
7 Feb 11
Hi shaggin!
Thanks for your comment. So this is also a practice in your country, party hosts offer take away foods to the guests, and guests also request to take home food. Yes, indeed, if someone is sick and wasn't able to come, it will be a kind gesture to send food to the sick family member. But for those people who doesn't want to attend the party and would like to receive a packed meal from the party host is different thing. Somehow they should send a regret note or aplogy note for being not able to come instead of asking for food. How I wish that people would not be so selfish. Cheers!
@inkyuboz (1392)
• Mandaluyong City, Philippines
5 Feb 11
I remember one time, we were on a corporate event and it was our big bosses who were the first on the table when the program ended. (They were armed with large plastic containers too!) Can't blame them though, who wouldn't want to take home lobster pancakes, salmon canapes, and foie gras salad.
For me, it's a customary thing so I believe it's alright. I just find it funny that some people become too greedy, especially with high-priced food items.
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
9 Feb 11
Hi inkyuboz!
OMG! don't they realize that it was embarassing? They are the big bosses and they were armed with containers, so it means that they are really prepared to take home food from the party. They can afford to buy those expensive food and not to show their greediness. They should have at least offered the food to the staff, to those who are in the rank and file as it would be difficult for these people to buy those foods.
What to do my dear....people are....LOL! Cheers!
@eurekafemme (5877)
• Philippines
4 Feb 11
When I go to the party, I do not take food home with me. In my opinion and thought, what for? I have already eaten here and I'm already satisfied, why would I take food home with me still?
But, if the host is a relative or a close friend of the family I'd accept it because normally if we can not attend to a party they would send us party foods anyway, and they do this because of the strong friendship bond they have with my parents.
If we are the one hosting a party, I noticed that my mother's friends and my brother's friends or anyone whom they feel closer or fonder gets to take home party food with them. My Mom and bro think that it is a compliment if the visitors after eating their meals would get to take home some.
Well, no one is refusing because, modesty aside, my mom and bro are great cooks.
But, if the host is a relative or a close friend of the family I'd accept it because normally if we can not attend to a party they would send us party foods anyway, and they do this because of the strong friendship bond they have with my parents.
If we are the one hosting a party, I noticed that my mother's friends and my brother's friends or anyone whom they feel closer or fonder gets to take home party food with them. My Mom and bro think that it is a compliment if the visitors after eating their meals would get to take home some.
Well, no one is refusing because, modesty aside, my mom and bro are great cooks.@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
8 Feb 11
Hi eurekafemme!
That's what I usually say to the party hosts when they offer me to take away food, I have already eaten and it's too much if I will take home food from the party. I really feel awkward, not unless they are family and relative, I would accept as I don't want them to get offended if I refuse.
In some cases that the guests liked the way a certain food was cooked and requested for some take home, I think its acceptable as what you said, the host take pride on it as it merited their cooking.
You are lucky then to have a mom and a brother who are great cooks. Cheers!
@TheAdvocate (2392)
• Philippines
5 Feb 11
In my family, we usually give to the guests whatever is left. I have never had a guest who asked/demanded for a take-home, especially one who is absent. There are some parties that I have attended that will give us the leftovers, but only if there are no more guests coming. What will you do if your guests eat all that is on the table and none to give away? Is there going to be a riot? I agree, that is a really bad habit. You are a guest in that party, why make a demand? It's also unreasonable for guests to expect that there would be leftovers to take home. I don't like wasting food and so when I am the host, I make it a point not to serve too many food on the table. At this day and age when there are a lot of people starving, I see it as unethical.
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
8 Feb 11
Hello TheAdvocate!
Indeed the guests should not expect to take home food from parties attended. They should understand that the preparation was based on the number of guests expected and that the take away foods were not included in the budget LOL! If there are leftovers, I believe that the host would be happy to share instead of throwing the food. Its really a shame to waste food knowing that a lot of people in this world and also in our country, are dying of hunger. I have seen mostly in first world countries tons of food are wasted and my heart really cry seeing food wasted and the people do not even seem to care at all.
Happy myLotting!
@thanks1961 (7035)
• India
5 Feb 11
It didn't experienced to me. What you expected is the way it should be. We should not carry or take way the left over food at any chance. It is a kind of dignity and pride issue so that as a practice we won't do such practices in our place (at least my knowledge). However, as you said, some people in relative side, they will pack up and give saying that it may get wasted and as it is cooked food, we should not do and they will request us to take away to home. That we can understand and it is after all a homely atmosphere and belongs to our family. But otherwise, we won't do so. 
I think people should realise the same and we cannot intimate to anybody to stop such things. As a social being, they should realise the fact. If we happened a chance to mentor the same, again we may have to listen to what they are going to tell as a response to it.
Thank-s
I think people should realise the same and we cannot intimate to anybody to stop such things. As a social being, they should realise the fact. If we happened a chance to mentor the same, again we may have to listen to what they are going to tell as a response to it.
Thank-s@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
9 Feb 11
Thanks to you thanks1961!
It is also embarassing for me to ask for food take away if I attended a party as I feel it's asking too much from the host unless the host is a family or relative and there are left overs and it was offered, I am obliged to accept. I think people should realize that they were invited to the party not just to eat the food but also to spend some time with the host as the host requested their presence on that particular event.
Thanks and happy myLotting!
@hexebella (1136)
• Philippines
8 Feb 11
Hi redmask!
Thanks for your reply. Indeed, that if the food is a lot, the host can offer food for take away and the guests should not request take away food if the party is not yet over, if there are still guests who are expected to come, and if the guests could see that the food is not that much. Cheers!
