Originally Posted by
JayhawkCO
The exception that I make is that I ideally never leave only one person with an entree plate. So if two people are still dining, I won't clear the largest plates until both are finished. That said, if you take your napkin off of your lap or stack side plates and silverware, I assume you don't want those things in front of you anymore and remove them at my convenience.
The reason for the clearing of plates is as much for efficiency as anything else. If I'm already walking by that table and I can clear something not being used, it saves me a trip later. This allows me to give better service to all of my tables.
I don't think you need to say "ideally" you would never leave only one person with an entree plate, that should never happen. You're in control of the plates; they don't take themselves to the kitchen.
I appreciate the efficiency argument, and Americans tend to be used to having things taken away quickly, but the reason you shouldn't take away dinner plates until everyone is done eating is for the comfort of the diners, especially the last diner to finish.
People eat at different speeds for various reasons. When you're the only one eating and the server has taken every other item off the table, down to the salt and pepper shakers, and you're still sitting there eating it makes you feel awkward and uncomfortable, and suggests that you need to rush to finish up quickly. That's not a nice note to end a meal on.
Particularly when I'm dining with only one other person, even if my plate is completely empty I'll say "no" if they ask if I'm finished with it if the other person is still eating. It would be better if the didn't even attempt to take it away in the first place.