Pizza ethics question--Do you have to take the "next" piece, or is it okay to take an interior piece that looks bett

If you have ever considered this question I think it is a good sign you have autism.

I don't think there are any ETHICS involved here - as long as nobody is harmed, taking any further slice is ethical.

As far as ETIQUETTE goes, I don't see any problem with taking a preferred piece from the middle. After all, some individuals prefer the piece with a large bubble on it, or do not like too much topping. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Take the piece you want, but don't manhandle the other pieces in the process.

No double dipping

P.Whelan wrote:

If you have ever considered this question I think it is a good sign you have autism.

+1

Be decisive and take the piece you want. Or else you will be eating substandard pizza all your life.

Congratulations on demonstrating an active and imaginative mind. This is the type of question that could occupy several miles of discussion on a group run.

I don't believe there is a singular answer and that the circumstances surrounding the pizza would dictate how to act. For instance, if it is my wife or kids, I'd go next in line. I'd rather they enjoy the better piece. If it is my sister-in-law or her husband...

You also have the question of who paid for the pizza? Did you pay and your friends benefit or is it equally split?

The smooth move would be to do a global pizza scan and count what piece you're after. Then wait until someone else heads to the pie and say "you first".

The invention of round pizza cut into wedges was precipitated by exactly this conundrum. Nothing but edge pieces....

I think I'd be pissed if I saw someone pick from the middle. The only way the pizza lottery is fair is if people take the next slice that comes up. Eating fast so you can take the best piece is a bullshit move.

Real pizza doesn't have an 'interior,' just triangular slices. That is your real problem.

I agree, this is an excellent question

It depends in my opinion

if you're at home or with friends, take the next one in line, I personally think it looks greedy/rude to take a bigger/better piece that isn't closest to you.

BUT, if you are an individual in line in the cafeteria and you are paying for a single slice, and you're allowed to pick it, I think I'd say it's okay to pick from the middle. It wouldn't be right for you to pay for a piece, and then end up getting a crumby/little one. The people behind you who end up with only bad piece choices should ask the company to bring out some better pizza before they choose(they probably won't, but I personally would consider asking if there was only poor quality left). none of the customers should suffer

I agree with a few previous posters, triangular cut is best.

But sometimes you can't choose that. In those cases I believe any piece that can be "easily" grabbed is fair in a group/party setting.

I would describe "easy" to grab as any piece with two of its four sides not touching another piece. As a pizza is being consumed there will rarely be a "next" piece. Instead, there will be a number of options. Pick whichever one you want.

But grabbing into the middle probably isn't the best. Depending on the group it could be humorous, but other groups might look at you like you are funny.

Now that I re-read your original post, though, I see that the middle slice could be a triangular cut piece that has a another piece on each side of it. In that case, I think it is OK provided the crust is parallel to your stomach/chest, i.e. don't reach across the whole pie for that one "special" piece.

Funny topic. I'm not sure how 100 percent I am on my response. This is certainly an interesting issue to ponder, and I might need to delve a little deeper.

booksbikesbeer wrote:

Now that I re-read your original post, though, I see that the middle slice could be a triangular cut piece that has a another piece on each side of it. In that case, I think it is OK provided the crust is parallel to your stomach/chest, i.e. don't reach across the whole pie for that one "special" piece.

Yes, sorry for the confusion. When I say "interior slice," I mean a triangular slice that is not one of the end pieces.

I was also actually thinking about the parallel to your chest situation like you'd have in a pizza place where they set the thing on the table in between everyone. I think that taking an interior piece from a box that is not between all of the diners is somewhat analogous to reaching for a slice that is not closest to you in a situation where the pizza is in the middle.

Something else to consider: what if the "flaw" with the edge piece is something that you dislike but your fellow diners don't mind? For instance, I really hate it when there is a space between the cheese and crust where there is exposed tomato sauce. Most of my friends don't mind. So, if the edge piece has the aforementioned flaw, there is an "interior" piece that doesn't, and I am with people that don't mind it, then I go for the interior piece without hesitation.

In general, I think it is probably okay to go for an interior piece. Reasonable minds could differ though.

In the case of Ledo's rectangular pizza, usually everybody wants interior/non-crust pieces. You start from the inside and work out - and if there's a freak in the crowd who likes edges, score!

do most people in the country get circular pizza or square? where I'm from (Phila area) circular is much more popular. This thread seems to be talking a lot about square pizza (maybe it's just one poster).

If I paid for the damn thing I'll eat whatever f ucking piece I want!

Pizza eating ethic is a great topic. I eat fast. If you're splitting it with a group you have to take turns. Outside cuts are mostly crust. A fair deal is to go for two interior pieces for every crust piece,

Its common sense. Just think fair. The big deal is that last slice. Everyone wants it but the alpha dog will take it.

I think serious consideration has to be given as to how you arrived at this predicament to begin with. Could it be that the person you're sharing the pizza with chose the best piece with the worst neighboring ones, thus boxing you into a bad slice while helping himself to a good one? And did he give this so much thought as to consider the two next possible moves on either side of the losers that he left for you? Eating a pizza could be played like the game of 15 sticks where each player in turn picks up 1-3 sticks and the one who grabs the last loses. Put some thought into your pizza contest. Work from the end result you want to achieve back to the best starting point.

Or just say screw it, grab the best of what's left and call checkmate.

P.Whelan wrote:

If you have ever considered this question I think it is a good sign you have autism.

LOL YOU R THE MAN!!! GO CUSE