Slowly but surely the doggy bag is breaking through in the Netherlands. This year, almost 1 in 5 Dutch people asked for a doggy bag more often than in other years. Although more Dutch people ask for a doggy bag, it is still a taboo. 47% find it embarrassing to ask for a doggy bag in a restaurant, and 1 in 3 is ashamed to walk down the street with a recognizable doggy bag. 74% never take food home. 44% would ask for a doggy bag more often if it were better known in the Netherlands.
A doggy bag actually fits perfectly into Dutch culture. 68% were raised with the rule that you should always finish your plate. 82% hate food waste. In addition, 68% find eating out in the Netherlands expensive. “It is therefore strange that we are not yet massively asking for a doggy bag as frugal Dutch people. 77% of those surveyed believe that restaurants should do more to reduce food waste. 27% are also more likely to go to a restaurant that does something about food waste. 63% believe that restaurants should always offer a doggy bag if food is left standing. A majority believes that a restaurant should offer a choice between a small and a large portion per dish (69%). ‘If restaurants offer doggy bags themselves, this reduces the size of the guests and increases the acceptance of the doggy bag.
