I am a first year, and in the first few weeks of classes, I have only been to Lowry Dining Hall a handful of times. I am just too afraid to eat there, so I end up eating something from the C-Store each night. Can you explain the etiquette of dining in Lowry, so I can get the confidence to eat there?
-Lost in Lowry
Dear Lost in Lowry,
Eating in the dining hall can be overwhelming, but I have some tips to make it better! My first piece of advice is to go to Lowry during a quiet time, such as around 4 p.m.; that way, you can get to know the space without being overwhelmed by the dinner rush. When it is busy, a general rule of thumb is to not use a table that can seat more than double your group. For example, if you are with a group of two, the biggest table you should sit at is one that can seat four. If there is already someone at the table you have your eyes on, simply ask the person whether or not you can sit there, but at times people will leave their water bottles or COW cards to indicate that the table is taken. Never be afraid to get something different to eat, because often Lowry food is hit or miss. If you start eating a dish and it is terrible, get rid of it and get something completely different. One contentious etiquette rule in the dining hall is whether it is okay to cut a line. In my opinion, it is only okay to cut a line if you are friendly to the people you cut, but if you are sensitive to criticism it is best not to cut at all. Finally and most importantly, always clean up after yourself! There is nothing more off-putting than a group leaving piles of dishes and garbage behind at their table once they finish eating. Happy dining!
-COWnselor
