Crumbs From the Corner: Adventures in Woolgathering

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Please, Sir, Can I Have Some More?



"I would rather be able to appreciate things I can not have than to have things I am not able to appreciate."
-Elbert Hubbard

My brother recently experienced his first all-you-can-eat Indian buffet as part of his birthday celebration. I could hardly hear his excited words due to the rumbling in my own stomach: it has been some time since Spouse and I ventured to a buffet and for the time being, Spouse's diet is still of the careful variety. Perhaps, too, we eat far more than we ought to and a step back might be a decent thing.
My sibling told me that he at first struggled to adjust to the concept of being able to actually eat all you want. He confessed to imagining the entire time that a waiter might step up, tap him on the shoulder surreptitiously and whisper, "Sir, we think you have eaten enough. You have consumed an entire plateful. Now please leave the premises."
I have long since grown out of that fear and, truth be told, I still attempt to get our money's worth and beyond, if possible. That is to say, if I can withstand more than three platefuls.
Looking back, however, with fondness, it seems refreshing to think of entering a restaurant humbly, and cautious about the amount allowed. It comes across as nicely naive and conveys a sense of gratitude.
I do sincerely hope that my brother never loses the wide-eyed wonder and hearty appetite that accompanies the notion of eating as much as one can possibly eat.

2 comments:

Pickled Unicorn said...

I nearly spilled my cupán tae reading that. =P

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Well, and glad to hear it! I aim to cause waves that cause tea spillage, one cup at a time. If you should by chance spill your tea, do refer to my blog post regarding baking soda and cleaning the carpet!
I can't wait for the next special occasion to take your little robin for another outing...I might write about it here so keep an eye.
Cheers!

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