Originally Posted by
hawkxp
Was eating at a very nice seafood place overlooking the intercoastal in Lauderdale with 4 couples. I finished before my GF (normal) and after about 15 minutes of looking at my dirty, empty plates; asked a bus boy to remove them. He said that "we do not clean the table until everyone is finished". I said "take them or they will be in the river". They got taken away.
Etiquette is (as most fine dining restaurants) that plates are not to be removed until all diners at the table have finished. However, if you asked, then it should be removed without a word. It is rather improper to have them removed as it makes everyone at the table feel rushed.