Food manners to go

QUESTION: Is it improper to ask to take your leftovers home from a restaurant? Is it a health risk? I see people carrying out food all the time, but, I have never done it because it embarrasses me to ask for a container.

CALLIE'S ANSWER: WHAT?! If I go out to eat and I don't finish my meal, AND it is good, heck yes, I am taking it home. You shouldn't be embarrassed taking a goodie bag. If you liked the meal, go ahead and take the rest home. LUNCH TIME!

LILLIE-BETH'S ANSWER:

Restaurant portions these days are often huge and too much for one sitting. When the meal is good, I generally take leftovers home and have them for lunch the next day. To me it is better than throwing uneaten food away, and how nice it is to have two meals for the price of one expensive one. I think restaurants have come to expect that and are prepared to box it up. Just don't forget to refrigerate it.

HELEN'S ANSWER:

Hauling leftovers from a nice restaurant is not a good look, but many people do it. I used to think it was impolite to ask for a to-go bag, and if I did it, I would always forget to take it out of the car. These days, if the portion is too big to finish, and if I like it, I box it, and try to remember to get it to the refrigerator. But, a word of caution: don't keep the food if it sits out too long. It could be a health risk.

If you are at a business lunch or dinner, I would refrain from carrying food out. GUEST'S ANSWER: Dave Cathey, The Oklahoman's Food Editor: Not rude at all to take home your leftovers from a restaurant. That said, food that has been left out at room temperature for more than two hours should be thrown away. Callie Athey is 20-something, Lillie-Beth Brinkman is 40-plus, and social columnist Helen Ford Wallace is 60-plus. To ask an etiquette question, email helen.wallace@cox.net.