Over the weekend I participated in a conversation via
twitter about restaurants charging for bread; I've been thinking about it ever since. Yes, I do expect bread, sans extra charge. Why do I feel this way? Is it just that I'm hungry? Respondents to the question delved into issues of the escalating price of organic flour and bakeries' hesitation to pass on the cost to restaurants; waste of unused bread; a lack of bread seeming inhospitable; those with celiac disease not eating bread; bread as a cultural accoutrement and so on. It got me thinking about the heart of it for me linguistically, symbolically, historically. Breaking bread together. What are your thoughts?
Over the weekend I participated in a conversation via twitter about restaurants charging for bread; I've been thinking about it ever since. Yes, I do expect bread, sans extra charge. Why do I feel this way? Is it just that I'm hungry? Respondents to the question delved into issues of the escalating price of organic flour and bakeries' hesitation to pass on the cost to restaurants; waste of unused bread; a lack of bread seeming inhospitable; those with celiac disease not eating bread; bread as a cultural accoutrement and so on. It got me thinking about the heart of it for me linguistically, symbolically, historically. Breaking bread together. What are your thoughts?
24 comments:
Here in Spain they charge for bread, we have really gos bread and it's OK for us this charge, maybe is a cultural thing!!! I don't Know
my thoughts are that even if you aren't seeing the charge, it's not like the bread is actually free, right? so i don't care whether i pay for it hidden in the cost of the other items or if it's just a direct charge for the bread. maybe just a direct charge for the bread is more fair because then people who don't eat the bread don't have to pay for it?
however this line of thinking does not work for me in regards to airlines starting to charge for a second bag on international flights. it's the exact same right? you either pay for it with higher ticket costs or you pay directly for the bag and have lower ticket costs. but it still grates on me! :) so i can see where you're coming from.
"Give us our daily bread" - I think giving bread is clearly a small price to pay with such good returns (to those that can break and share it with one another)
pve
It absolutely depends on the restaurant. I can't deny that in the past I have judged restaurants by their bread. When you are welcomed with a basket of crusty hot bread fresh from the oven, you immediately have a feeling this will be a great dinner! And there are some restaurants where the free bread and tapenad or spreads they serve gratis are so good that people talk about it.
That having been said, I don't expect this service from every restaurant, and can understand why some don't provide it. I think the nice middle road is when a restaurant provides you with free bread if you ASK for it. This takes care of wasting bread by bringing it to tables where people don't want it.
i think charging for bread is fine, although we actually don't charge for bread or amuse bouche where I work... unless you have a sandwich and then request bread (since you've got sandwiches which are made of bread anyway) then we charge.
mmmm... bread dipped in ali oli :o)
I think charging is fine but if ordering a meal it can be included. Here in Germany nothing is free, not even the butter patties or jelly. You are rarely offered bread even in an Italian restaurant which is really odd to me. Have a wonderful day!
No charge for bread, and give leftover food to local farmers to feed hogs or chickens. That's what some organizations and restaurants do... Also if the bread is good we bring extra home with us --- why not?
In my country bread has many deep symbolic meanings related to catholicism and to the agricoltural roots of our economy. Because of the value of bread, in restaurants there's always a fixed small surcharge for it (and no tipping).
bread should be good, and free.
this is an interesting conversation. i so rarely go out to eat that i wouldn't even think about whether or not my bread was free. we can't afford to eat out on a regular basis with or without children.... when we go, it is such a treat, i do love to have good bread, but i am usually just thrilled to have something that someone else prepares, serves and cleans up!
I wouldn't mind paying for a basket of fresh bread. xoxo
I agree with Country Girl. Good Bread will bring me back to a restaurant and is anything ever really free? I'm sure we are charged for it with the rest of the food. and leftover should go to charity.
My thought are similar with Kwana's.
in short. probably, but i am glad most in this country don't!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
I don't mind paying, because the charge is in there somewhere. Plus, I rarely eat the bread, since I'd prefer to eat my calories in the form of dessert and I've got to balance it out somehow . So I feel guilty when I don't eat the free bread, since it probably then goes to waste.
I think it depends on the restaurant and the bread. Is there bruschetta involved? Gourmet dip? An assortment of artisan breads? Then yes, charge. But if not, please give me a "free" nibble until my meal arrives! :)
I love free bread at restaurants. But I understand how wasted bread is a valid point. A good solution might be for waitresses/waiters to ask if you'd like some, and to not bring a heaping amount if you say yes.
I'm not sure I've ever thought about it before. Honestly, though I love bread, I could take it or leave it...so I just don't know that it matters to me. Very interesting question, though!
lecia, thanks for your sweet comments on my post today! here is the main link to my main page. below my photo are links to each of the articles.
http://www.examiner.com/x-22477-Oakland-Frugal-Living-Examiner
let me know if that doesn't work.
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
i don't mind paying for bread~ i think i'd probably eat less if i ordered it, rather than mindlessly eating three slices from the table's basket. i can imagine that restaurants would put more emphasis on a delicious loaf if it wasn't free, as well.
and that photo of everyone cheers-ing! i LOVE it.
(last thing... that Patrick Swayze link just did me in... Dirty Dancing has been a guilty but happy pleasure of mine forever. I even had my hair permed for the first time after the movie came out. and once, recently, i drank a little too much wine and downloaded the entire soundtrack off of itunes)
have i commented enoug?! goodness!
I think bread should be free ( price worked into overall cost) however i think the waitstaff should ask if the clientele want bread before serving it. That way it's not wasted. Some restaurants have the same policy for water.
I was thinking maybe it is also a cultural matter... (?)
Here in France bread is free in restaurants, but not always on the table, sometimes you have to ask if you want some bread with your meal.
I like good quality bread only. But I may have to say goodbye to it, since it seems I'm being diagnosed with a gluten intolerance :(
I was very interested in reading the different comments before me.
In college I would live off free bread at restaurants and then would take my meal home for later. I don't mind paying for bread when it is yummy.
When we were in France, someone told me it was the law that restaurants provide free bread. I don't know if they were joking, but it was lovely to have, compared to some countries like Spain that seemed to nickel and dime us to death.
My big beef is with the failure to provide WATER at many European restaurants. WTH?!
Post a Comment