About life in the buffet lane
Sir, this week, September 9, Dear Economist had to answer the question how to get the most out of a buffet and without falling into the trap of complicating life with analyzing whether the marginal utility of that extra carb lies on the frontier of the efficiency curve of the calories where it intersects with best value per spoonful, something which would be very hard for us normal economists without PhDs to follow, he does a superb analysis of the motivations of the kitchen telling us, if a restaurant, wait until the end since they want to fill you up early with the cheap stuff or, if a wedding, go for the hors d'oeuvres since they’re out to impress you and wedding cakes make lousy fireworks.
These are valid suggestions indeed and they would suffice for most occasions. Nonetheless knowing a bit myself about life out there on buffet lane, where sharp elbows compete, let me just add a couple of pointers. Mind you, just in case, for the record, let me assure you that I have never ever tried them myself, as I would hate to get entangled with some transparency advocates just because one of my parents spoiled what would otherwise be the perfect genetic map of a gourmet by spilling gourmand chromosomes all over it.
First, just as a precaution, always remember to keep a plastic bag in your pocket, for your doggy. Second do not ever sub-estimate the value of privileged information and so while looking like you’re looking for the men’s room always try to get a peek into the kitchen to see what’s cooking. Finally, numero uno, workable everywhere, even in private weddings, is to put a ten dollar bill into the hands of a waiter of your choice and then relax knowing you’re in for a special treat.
Dear Economist buffet
These are valid suggestions indeed and they would suffice for most occasions. Nonetheless knowing a bit myself about life out there on buffet lane, where sharp elbows compete, let me just add a couple of pointers. Mind you, just in case, for the record, let me assure you that I have never ever tried them myself, as I would hate to get entangled with some transparency advocates just because one of my parents spoiled what would otherwise be the perfect genetic map of a gourmet by spilling gourmand chromosomes all over it.
First, just as a precaution, always remember to keep a plastic bag in your pocket, for your doggy. Second do not ever sub-estimate the value of privileged information and so while looking like you’re looking for the men’s room always try to get a peek into the kitchen to see what’s cooking. Finally, numero uno, workable everywhere, even in private weddings, is to put a ten dollar bill into the hands of a waiter of your choice and then relax knowing you’re in for a special treat.
Dear Economist buffet
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