An anecdote that I'm sure some here know well: you serve food of any amount to your kids and they eat some? Maybe a bite? Sometimes nothing. It's not clear why. So as a parent, you get used to gathering up that food and eating much of what's left as a way of reducing waste, but also maybe you're hungry too. Welcome to every evening in my house!
> The cultural dynamic in many places of serving more food than your guests can possibly eat–as a form of status or generosity–is persistent and wasteful. But it’s just a small part of a system that needs fixing.
I'm curious. How often do folks get served much more than they can eat? I rarely get served plates of food that overwhelm me at first glance. Maybe I have a big appetite. Instead, is this issue better phrased as "ordering or asking for more than you can eat" - that's what I see happen all the time.