Miss Manners: Why do waiters remove one diner’s empty plate before others at the table are finished?

DEAR MISS MANNERS: One of my pet peeves these days is when waitstaff at restaurants remove a diner’s plate before the other diner at the table is finished.

I see plates as an indication that the customers are still in “dining mode,” even though someone at the table may be finished. Then whoosh! The plate is taken away and someone is left eating alone.

This occurs at nearly every restaurant. Even when there are few patrons in the restaurant, the staff is always in a hurry to take your plate away. Why do they do this? And can you please explain how to handle it, other than saying, “Please do not remove my empty plate”? Awkward!

GENTLE READER: You could say, “I’m not quite finished,” meaning you are not finished sitting with your dining companion, who is still eating.

This might puzzle the server -- although maybe not, as so many diners now share their food.

At any rate, Miss Manners believes it will be effective.

(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)