While standing in a queue, do not complain about the food, instead use this time to network or chat with others waiting with you

QWhat is best to eat at the buffet?

In a stand-up buffet, rice and pasta are easier to eat than rotis/ bread, as they don’t mess the fingers. Small boneless pieces of meat are easier to eat, as tearing the meat away from the bone with the plate in one hand and without a knife can be tricky. Lettuce and other salad leaves, cherries and olives with pits, cherry tomatoes should be avoided as they can be rather unwieldy, especially if there is limited seating.

QDo I need to tip the wait staff at the buffet?

In a paid-for buffet at a restaurant, waiters serve the drinks, bring certain hot dishes to the table and take care of clearance every time you make another trip to the buffet. Five per cent of the total bill is a good tip, which will be shared between the wait staff. No requests for doggy bags please!

QShould I use clean plates every time I visit the buffet?

It depends on the situation. In a paid-for buffet, like a restaurant, feel free to change your plate every time you visit the buffet counter, leaving your old plate at the table for the waiter to clear away. However, in a banquet party, hotels count the number of dinner plates picked up at the buffet counter when billing the host. So, if you pick up a new plate every time, the host ends up paying for it.

QHow much food should I serve myself?

Resist from heaping a mountain of food on your plate, instead make additional trips to the buffet.

QAt times people display behavior that contaminates the food. What do you suggest?

Leave the line when coughing or sneezing, to prevent contaminating the food. Roll up our sleeves and mind your sari/ dupatta/ tie and your children. Escort children to the buffet table and serve them. As a rule, take what you touch on the buffet counter.