So you all think this is done to speed the patron out of there? Tonight, we were at a 100% occupied restaurant, so that makes sense.

I originally thought the whisking-away-the-plates was considered proper restaurant etiquette, i.e. the waiter didn’t want the patron to be left with a table full of dirty dishes.

So it is business (get this table outta here!) or etiquette (no dirty dishes)?

Either way, I’ve had to resort to clutching my plate fiercely when the waiter approaches. If my son, who goes to the restroom every 22 minutes anyway, is briefly gone from the table, his plate is at great danger of being removed.

Maybe I should start drinking, so this stuff won’t bother me. I’ll be like, “Sure, take my plate who cares, just bring more wine…”