Paper plates when there is a lot of people around. Less dishes to wash or get broken!

Funny this is mentioned because I grew up only using regular plates and I thought that paper plates were only used for birthday parties. I was so confused when my friends would eat their meals on paper plates.

As an european without dishwasher, but healthy hands and a sink, i use real Plates and wash them after. The American paper plate waste is astounding.

Sometimes at events like parties and stuff, but not usually at home. Very wasteful...

Generally only for parties but some bachelors and inbred families are lazy and will use them daily.

I have nerve damage in my hands, so I have to use paper or plastic plates. I got so tired and frustrated and upset, dropping my glass plates! So, company gets the good stuff, and I use paper plates. Husband will get the good plates, and I use paper plates.

Eh, that depends on the people and the situation. Some never do; some always do, but most will only do it in certain situations like large gatherings or if the power is out or they're sick, that kind of thing since it's a wasteful practice.

Wait what Do yall have ceramic plates? Cuz I know of 2 in my house.

Rarely.

well, if they're in a hurry, or single, or lazy. most people do have ceramic ones even if they don't use them daily

With my family we only use paper plates when we have BIG gatherings and my parents don't want to do dishes for 20 people

Sometimes we do

We use paper plates for lunch during the day, for a sandwich and some chips or other light fare and ' real' dishes for breakfast and dinner... never really thought about it either way.

i think i have a few online friends who do

Sometimes. It depends on the situation. If I'm just gonna cut up an apple or heat up something small in a microwave - then yes, I'll use a paper plate instead of a real one. I'll use them for more mainstream things if I haven't had time to do the dishes and I don't want to dirty anymore.

paper plates all the time!

usually just for picnics or outside backyard family parties.

And what’s the deal with the red plastic cup? Does no one have any glasses to drink from?

I'm an American and I'm really kind of shocked at how many people commenting use paper plates for anything other than parties (though even then most people I know don't usually use paper places) or picnics sometimes, though really most of the people I know bring reusable stuff because we don't want to drown the planet in garbage. Seriously, I'm really surprised how un-eco-conscious so many people are. It freaks me out a little. I mean, global warming is real, folks. I mean, I get it when people are handicapped and have issues that make it difficult to hold heavy plates, but I'm handicapped and I use regular dishes, so not even all of us need them.

paper plates means no dishes. That's all we use unless its a special occasion. Paper bowls too

Yes. Farms grow special plants which are beaten into pulp. The pulp is dried and sold to a factory where it is treated and pressed into the shape of plates. These are wrapped in sterile material and trucked to a store where consumers can buy them, carry them home, and serve food on them. This is considered to be less work than washing them.

only when it's a larger than casual gathering because we like easy clean up, and who wants to have dishes for 30 people filling all available storage in your not large enough house to store all of your normal kitchen stuff.

We use both. Depends how we feel.

100% paper plates. I only use real plates for holidays or if I'm having something that will go through the paper.

Depends on the occasion. But I definitely keep paper plates handy.

We use paper plates for pizza or hamburgers.

Paper plates are generally used during outdoor parties and large parties where there is the need for easy quick clean up ... Kids birthday parties or ball games parties.

Almost every day. I live alone so it's less dishes for me to do 🤷‍♂️

We get porcelain plates at our wedding. It's the only set we ever get so we use paper plates to not break the precious China.

We use paper plates in this house. We use them for sandwiches and chips. If there are only crumbs on the plate, I will clean them off and re-use the plate for myself later in the day or the next day. We have china and plastic plates for full meals for stuff that wouldn't be appropriate for paper. It is merely an option... and paper or plastic plates are the only way to go with little kids.

as an american: it depends on who and why they do this. For some who work 2-3 jobs a week they don't have time to clean dishes

I hate this so much. Every American reality tv show I've ever watched, the family is using paper plates. It's so incredibly wasteful. Do they not know how to wash dishes?

only once in awhile..

My family uses them on rare occasions. When we have large gatherings of people, like Christmas or birthday parties.

I've learned something! I'm Canadian and have been in the States a lot and have never seen them used in a house but judging by the comments it's more common than I thought.

Paper plates are cheap

I use paper plates because I am single and am usually eating alone. My parents use paper plates because they are older and are too tired to wash dishes.

Real plates for home and very special occasions, paper for other less formal gatherings such as family reunions, cook outs, etc.

Because we're Jewish and the pizza/takeout food we bring in isn't Kosher, we use paper plates. Otherwise we eat off of real plates--heck we have two sets of them for meat and dairy.

Yes, we do use paper plates.