16 Rude Things Virginians Do at Golden Corral

Golden Corral might just be one of the last places in Virginia where you can get a hot meal, grab seconds (and fifths), and leave feeling like you barely made a dent in your wallet.

It’s a place where families gather after church, seniors take advantage of early-bird deals, and kids light up at the sight of a chocolate fountain.

But for every guest savoring their meatloaf in peace, there’s someone nearby doing something that makes everyone else cringe.

Hovering Over the Buffet

Golden Corral’s buffet setup works best when everyone keeps moving. But there’s always that one person who treats it like their own personal kitchen.

They stand too long at the carving station. They act like they’re deciding on a life partner instead of picking between ham and roast beef.

Meanwhile, everyone else is waiting behind them, silently screaming.

Even worse, some customers make small talk with staff like they’ve got all day. It’s a buffet, not a backyard cookout.

The polite approach? If you’re not ready to scoop and go, step aside and let other customers through.

Taking Way Too Much Food (Then Wasting It)

Some folks go wild at Golden Corral like it’s their last meal on Earth.

They pile on mashed potatoes, five rolls, spaghetti, corn, three types of meat—and maybe even a taco—onto one plate. Then they take a few bites of each and leave the rest to be scraped into the trash.

It’s frustrating for staff and unfair to the next person who wanted a helping of meatloaf but found the tray empty.

Golden Corral encourages return trips for a reason. There’s no need to hoard like it’s 1999.

Cutting the Buffet Line

Golden Corral or no Golden Corral, there’s an unspoken rule at any buffet: Wait your turn.

Unfortunately, some people think it’s fine to squeeze in, reach over others, or pretend they’re “just grabbing one thing” while scooping up a full meal.

They jump in mid-line like it’s a casual suggestion, not a flow of hungry people who’ve been patiently waiting.

It throws off the rhythm, sparks irritation, and frankly, it’s just rude.

No one enjoys being elbowed at the mashed potatoes. Get in line and stay in line.

Letting Kids Run Wild

Golden Corral welcomes families, but it’s not Chuck E. Cheese.

Some parents let their children roam unsupervised. They race down aisles, poke the chocolate fountain, or grab food with their bare hands.

It’s not just a nuisance to other customers and the employees. It’s a hygiene nightmare.

Buffets require order, and unattended children make it harder for staff to maintain cleanliness and safety.

Here’s a good rule of thumb: If your kid can’t see over the sneeze guard, they probably shouldn’t be navigating the buffet solo.

Ignoring the Sneeze Guard Altogether

That glass shield across the buffet isn’t a suggestion.

It’s there to protect the food from sneezes, coughs, and breath. But you’ll still spot people leaning underneath it, face hovering inches from the rolls, talking as they choose their dinner.

Some even reach under and bypass serving utensils, breathing on everything in sight.

If your face is close enough to feel the heat lamp, it’s time to take a step back.

Touching Food with Their Hands

You’d think this one would be obvious. Yet some Golden Corral diners grab muffins, cookies, and rolls with their bare hands.

Worse? They sometimes put them back.

That’s not just poor etiquette. It’s a health code violation waiting to happen.

Golden Corral provides tongs and serving spoons for a reason. Use them.

Nobody wants a dinner roll that’s been finger-tested by a stranger.

Camping Out at a Table for Hours

Some customers treat Golden Corral like it’s their personal coffee shop.

They eat slowly, sip drinks even slower, and chat for hours while recent arrivals circle the dining area searching for seats.

During peak times, that lingering becomes a problem. It delays table turnover, frustrates other families, and puts stress on the staff trying to keep the flow going.

By all means, enjoy your meal. But once you’re done, let someone else enjoy theirs too.

Going Back for Seconds with a Dirty Plate

One of Golden Corral’s clearest rules is posted everywhere: Always grab a clean plate.

Still, people return to the buffet with their used plates in hand. They’re crusted with drying sauce, breadcrumbs, and half-eaten sides.

It’s not just unsanitary. It’s against the health code. Used plates risk cross-contaminating the entire food line.

Grabbing a clean plate takes two seconds. Don’t be the person who spreads half-eaten meatloaf into the salad bar.

Hovering Over the Chocolate Fountain

Golden Corral’s flowing fountain of liquid chocolate draws a crowd every time.

But some people treat it like their personal fondue pot, dipping fruit after fruit without stepping aside.

Worse still are the double-dippers and chocolate-drippers who leave the counter looking like a toddler’s birthday party aftermath.

The fountain is a shared treat, not a private experiment.

Dip once, move along, and resist the urge to swirl your marshmallow in there like you’re stirring cocoa at home.

Talking Loudly on Speakerphone

You’d be amazed how many people think Golden Corral is the perfect place to broadcast their phone conversations.

Speakerphone in a restaurant is always a no-go. But at a buffet, it’s even worse.

People are trying to grab their fried chicken in peace, not sidestep around a distracted phone talker while hearing their conversation about neighborhood gossip.

If you need to take a call, keep the conversation short and quiet or step outside.

The buffet doesn’t need your conversation played on full blast.

Treating the Staff Like Servants

Golden Corral’s staff works incredibly hard. They refill trays, wipe down tables, bring drinks, and keep the chaos in check.

But some guests act like they’re owed royal treatment at a buffet price. Snapping fingers, barking orders, or leaving messes with zero tip?

Rude doesn’t even begin to cover it.

A kind word and a few extra bucks go a long way. Golden Corral staff aren’t your butlers—they’re the reason the place runs at all.

Picking at Food in the Line

It happens more often than you’d think. People tasting meat in line to see if it’s tender, biting into a roll to see if it’s hard, or “sampling” a bite with their fingers.

Golden Corral isn’t your personal kitchen. It’s a public buffet, and other people are waiting to eat that food.

If you’re unsure whether you’ll like an item, take a small scoop and sample it at your table. You can always return and grab more.

Don’t turn the buffet line into your own private taste test.

Ignoring Buffet Labels and Asking Endless Questions

Each buffet tray has a label. They’re not decorative. Yet some Golden Corral customers still ask staff to explain what every single dish is.

“What’s in this casserole?” “Is this chicken or pork?” “Are those onions or shallots?”

Golden Corral workers are usually happy to help. But if you’re clogging up the line with culinary trivia, it’s time to step back.

If you’ve got allergies or dietary concerns, ask a manager. Don’t interrogate the teenage employee running the mashed potato station.

Piling Desserts While Others Are Still on Their First Plate

The dessert bar is a highlight. But some people sprint to it before the rest of the people in their group have even taken a bite of dinner.

They stack plates with brownies, cookies, and soft-serve while others still haven’t made it through the salad station.

The result?

Everyone else in the group feels rushed.

It’s not a dessert race. If you’re not into entrees, that’s fine. But let everyone have a shot at eating their main meal at a leisurely pace before you go scooping up an entire tray of banana pudding.

Leaving Trash on Tables

Yes, Golden Corral clears tables. No, that doesn’t mean you should leave a disaster behind.

Used napkins, spilled drinks, straw wrappers—some folks just walk away from the mess like it’s not their problem.

Worse, others leave dropped food on the floor and ignore it.

Move the garbage on your table to a single spot, stack your plates, and try not to treat your Golden Corral booth like your living room after game night.

Treating It Like a Competition

Golden Corral’s all-you-can-eat setup is generous. But it’s not a contest.

Some customers treat the experience like a race. They brag about how many plates they conquered or how many rolls they snuck into their purse.