Jodi on 
Erin on 
Eric on 
Bill Evans on 
I fully believe the only saving grace to buffets are carving stations, where they have a big juicy roast beef with a decent gravy and an endless bowl of horseradish.
And so it was with Jason’s company’s Christmas party, held in the Calgary Zoo’s new Enmax Conservatory and catered in-house. (OK, cue animal-eating jokes.)
After passing the passable salads, cheese plate, steamed vegetables and potatoes, I eagerly awaited my turn at the carving station. I approvingly noted that the man behind the knife was cutting lovely, thin slices, asking everyone how many they wanted, and then serving three to four pieces onto each person’s plate.
My turn came. He didn’t ask me anything, plopped two pathetic, tiny slices onto my plate, and moved onto the next person — by asking how much he wanted.
I later went back in line a second time, and got the same treatment. HMPH.
I know I should have said something the first time, but I was caught off guard and it was already the next person’s turn. The second time, I loudly asked for more. Hey, I need my roast beef.
Anyway, my point is one’s ability to eat roast beef should not be judged by what someone looks like. That is roast beef profiling, and it is wrong. Come on, it’s almost 2010. My hope for this decade is that all beef eaters are treated equally and fairly.
Happy holidays and roast beef peace on earth.
Too funny… As someone who routinely mans these carving stations I can tell you I AM GUILTY of beef profiling. There, it’s out. I do make a point of asking everyone if they want another slice (except the gluttons who already have 6). I’m glad you wrote this, it serves as a reminder that beef fans come in all shapes and sizes!
SO TRUE!
It’s like going to the liquor store, you have to be ready to respond to the profiling (by having the license ready to show).
So I ALWAYS ask for the extra rare pieces and I hold my plate stuck out into their carving space until I’m satisfied.. sometimes it works.
I am shocked, SHOCKED I SAY, that you left with only the two puny pieces the first time up.
As a fellow tiny-looking, medium-rare roast beef fanatic, I think I would have stared at my plate, then stuck it back in his face to politely ask for more. AND perhaps make a comment on my second pass
Good thing you had a bossy pregnant chick behind you in the queue watching your back or you’d have missed out on a larger chunk of that yummy roast beast!
Fun read!
Merry Christmas.
My mother made a terrible mistake at a Vegas buffet. She is not a fan of the spicy and somehow mistook the horseradish for mashed potatoes and took a big mouthful of it and nearly threw up on her plate. She vows to ask what it is next time if she’s not sure.
You go girl. Roast beef equality NOW!