All Ears English Podcast Summary Episode: AEE 2461: Leftovers, Culture, and Class
Release Date: August 14, 2025
Hosts: Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan

Introduction

In Episode 2461 of the All Ears English podcast, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the multifaceted topic of leftovers, exploring its linguistic, cultural, and socioeconomic dimensions. The episode, titled "Leftovers, Culture, and Class," not only provides practical language tips for English learners but also examines how the practice of taking leftovers reflects broader cultural norms and class distinctions.

Leftovers: A Cultural Practice

The conversation begins with a discussion on the common practice of taking leftovers from restaurants. Michelle Kaplan initiates the topic by asking, "Do you take leftovers home from a restaurant? Is this accepted in your culture?" (00:59).

Host Insights:

• Michelle Kaplan shares her consistent habit of taking leftovers unless the portion is embarrassingly small, such as a few pieces of bread (02:16).
• Lindsay McMahon expresses a love for leftovers, noting that many people believe flavors improve the next day. However, she admits a personal aversion to eating leftovers cold, preferring them warmed up (02:33).

Practical Language Tips: The hosts outline various phrases used in restaurants to request leftovers:

• Waitstaff Phrases: "Can I get you a box?" or "Would you like to take this to go?" (08:28)
• Listener Tips: How to respond affirmatively or decline politely, and alternative expressions like "Would it be possible to get a doggy bag?"

Lindsay humorously discusses the phrase "doggy bag," clarifying, "It has nothing to do with dogs. I don't know why, Michelle, actually," (09:07), highlighting how idiomatic expressions can be confusing for non-native speakers.

Cultural Perceptions and Class Implications

The episode transitions into a deeper exploration of how cultural attitudes toward leftovers can signify class and economic status.

Key Points:

• Awkwardness in Fancy Restaurants: Lindsay admits feeling it's a faux pas to ask for leftovers in high-end establishments, suggesting an unspoken rule that might not apply universally, "Are you done with that or are you still working?" (05:04) (13:07).
• Waste vs. Abundance: Michelle contrasts this with experiences in India, where taking leftovers is frowned upon due to food scarcity, sharing a personal anecdote about being reprimanded for not finishing her meal (15:28 - 16:36).

Socioeconomic Insights: Lindsay connects the topic to broader societal issues, mentioning ongoing class clashes in the U.S. and how seemingly small actions like taking leftovers can reflect underlying economic tensions (19:27).

Insights from the New York Times Article

The hosts reference an article by Allison Krueger titled "Is the Doggy Bag Dead?" published on March 18th, which discusses a decline in the use of doggy bags and an increase in food waste in restaurants.

Highlights from the Article:

• Decreased Use of Doggies Bags: A noticeable shift where fewer diners are taking leftovers home, contributing to higher food waste (17:11).
• Changing Dining Habits: The availability of delivery services like GrubHub makes it easier for patrons to order more food rather than taking leftovers, reducing the perceived need to bring food back (17:50).
• Impact on Dates: Taking leftovers on dates can create social discomfort, as it may unintentionally convey information about one's financial status (18:05).

Pandemic Effects: Post-pandemic behaviors have also influenced how people handle leftovers, with increased sharing of food during meals but complications in determining ownership and storage (18:41 - 19:00).

Language Usage: Phrasal Verbs and Expressions

The episode provides practical language education by examining specific phrases and their appropriate contexts.

Examples Discussed:

• "Are you still working?" used by waitstaff to inquire if diners have finished their meals (10:13), a phrase that can be confusing to non-native speakers.
• Expressions to Request Leftovers: "Could we get this wrapped up?" and "Would it be possible to get a doggy bag?" (10:54 - 11:00).

Role Play Segment: Lindsay and Michelle perform a role play to demonstrate a typical interaction between a customer and a waitress regarding leftovers:

• Waitress (Lindsay): "Are you done with that or are you still working?" (20:09)
• Customer (Michelle): "I'm done, thanks. Would it be possible to get a doggy bag?" (20:14)
• Waitress (Lindsay): "Absolutely. I'll bring out a couple boxes." (20:18)

This segment provides listeners with a practical example of how to navigate such conversations in English.

Conclusion and Takeaways

Lindsay and Michelle wrap up the episode by emphasizing the intersection of language and culture, illustrating how everyday practices like handling leftovers can reveal deeper societal values and economic conditions. They encourage listeners to use these insights to foster meaningful conversations and connections with people from diverse backgrounds.

Final Thoughts:

• Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding different attitudes toward leftovers can enhance cultural competence and interpersonal interactions.
• Language Mastery: Familiarity with specific phrases and their connotations can improve fluency and confidence in real-life settings.

Additional Resources

Listeners are encouraged to explore related episodes, such as Episode 2455 titled "Should You Poke Fun at Someone's Niche Interests?" to further enhance their conversational skills and cultural understanding.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Michelle Kaplan: "I would say if there are leftovers I will take them home pretty much every time. The only time I won't is when it's such a small amount that it's embarrassing to ask." (02:16)
• Lindsay McMahon: "Some people think that the flavors actually get better the next day." (02:33)
• Michelle Kaplan: "If you're pushing the kid to, you have to finish or you have to eat this... it can also cause some kind of psychological damage around food." (07:20)
• Lindsay McMahon: "Are you still working? It makes me wonder." (10:13)
• Michelle Kaplan: "When I traveled in India... I couldn't finish it, and she kind of yelled at me a little bit." (15:28)

This episode of All Ears English successfully blends language instruction with cultural analysis, offering listeners both practical tools for improving their English and deeper insights into how everyday behaviors reflect and influence societal norms.