My friends from France who just stayed with me for 11 days were amazed by the fact that resturants in the U.S. give out doggy bags for the left over food. Said it would never happen in France. Culturally speaking it just cannot be. My friend said he thought it was a good idea. Said he would never waste food at home because of the poor people etc. etc.

Can't remember if I got a doggy bag in Italy this past summer.

By the way France just passed a law for no smoking in public buildings this past Jan. 2008.

I do not remember receiving any doggy bag in any restaurants in Italy. I am in Italy now and I came here 4 times a year.

Well while the doggy bag might seem a great idea at first I do not think it is after all: Restaurants in the DC area tends to serve oversized lunches / dinner - In Italy I don't see the same amount of left over as in the US, people usually order more or less what they eat ( sizes are more human - like ) -
There is also the problem of all the styrofoam containers that is just another thing we add to pollute the environment.

Anyway I have mixed feeling about doggy bags.
PS
Non so neanche se c'e' un nome in Italiano per doggy bag !

Not so sure about doggy bags, but our local fish restaurant let us have a "catty bag":) The portions of fritto misto are very large, and when there was a lot left over from our meal we asked if we could take it home for the cat. No problem,they took it away and returned with it all wrapped up in aluminium foil - the cat can't wait for us to go again!

I agree with Paolo, doggy bags are very rare in italy, i think both for cultural and practical reasons; Only once it happens to me, in a pizzeria near crema (but it actually was an enormous pizza!)

The problem is the huge portions you get here, like Paolo said. When I go out to eat I can't help but eat alot though.

The best part is when you realize you have a small meal for later in my book. I guess that is part of the US's problem for people who are overweight. Maybe by removing the "doggy bag" issue it would help curb obesity?

The problem there would be trying to convince people not to take their food home with them when they paid for it! :p

Unless you really do use the doggy bag for you dog at home.

Here in South Africa, we always get to take our left over food home from the restaurant - and why not ? I've paid for it ... why should it be discarded by the restaurant when I could have it as another meal.

Now you're talking. Grazie, Ronelle. This is the most logical thing per lo meno per me.

Funny how my friends from France we're going on
and on about eating all your food at home and throwing
nothig away because of the poor people etc. etc. but
they would never take home food from the ristorante.