It’s official: We’re all a bit weird when it comes to hotel breakfast buffets

Eight in 10 of us admit to sitting down when shown to our table… only to immediately get back up again

A new study of 2,000 Brits has uncovered a nationwide culture of politeness, hesitation and low-level panic when faced with unlimited hash browns before 9am.

A staggering eight in 10 people admit they sit down when being shown to their table… only to stand straight back up again moments later to head for the buffet.

And it doesn’t stop there. More than a third (37%) of couples have developed a tactical system where one person “mans the table” while the other goes to scout out the food - essentially turning breakfast into a military operation involving territory control and asset protection.

Meanwhile, the British instinct to apologise remains unstoppable even when holding a plate piled with sausages. The average person says “sorry” at least twice during a buffet trip, whether squeezing past someone or reaching for the scrambled eggs, while an extra-apologetic 13% manage five apologies or more before they’ve even had caffeine.

And despite this politeness, there’s also paranoia. Over a third (35%) admit they feel judged by strangers over their portion sizes when walking back to their table, which may explain the slightly hunched, guilty walk many of us adopt while carrying three pastries and a full English.

The irony? We’re still going back for more. Brits typically have two portions at a buffet breakfast, with 27% happily returning for thirds despite the imagined scrutiny of fellow diners.

The research also revealed the nation’s favourite buffet foods - and it’s good news for the humble hash brown, which topped the list with 41% of the vote.

Interestingly, tastes appear to be shifting away from the traditional fry-up. Pancakes (39%) ranked second, followed by fruit salad (37%), both comfortably beating bacon (29%) and scrambled eggs (29%). At the juice station, moderation is also out the window, with people drinking two glasses on average and a third knocking back three or more.

Brits’ top 10 breakfast buffet treats:

1. Hash browns (41%)
2. Pancakes (39%)
3. Fruit salad (37%)
4. Croissants (36%)
5. Bacon (29%)
6. Scrambled eggs (29%)
7. Baked beans (25%)
8. Bagels (21%)
9. Toast and preserves (21%)
10. White bread (17%)

A spokesperson for Travelodge, which commissioned the research, said: “Our research reveals that the British breakfast buffet is a unique social minefield, where traditional politeness often battles with the temptation of a second helping.

“Whether it’s the ‘buffet apology’ or the strategy of ‘manning the table,’ we all have our own morning rituals.

“Buffet breakfasts are no longer all about the traditional English. We see many guests swapping the classic fry-up for fruit or toasted bagels with peanut butter and banana and choosing barista-style coffee and dairy alternatives over a standard brew. Whether you’re fuelling up on the nation’s favourite hash browns or opting for a lighter start with fresh fruit and yoghurt, we offer total choice with zero judgment.”

So next time you sit down at a hotel breakfast only to immediately stand back up again, don’t worry. You’re not weird. You’re just British.