Eating at restaurants

[pilgrim]

Sometimes when fetching a monk to or from the airport, I am compelled to stop at a cafe or restaurant for lunch because of time constraints. I wish to inquire:
1. are there any rules which forbid a monk from eating at a restaurant?
2. are there any rules which forbid a monk and layman from eating at the same table ( but not sharing food) ?
I can't find answers to these specific situations in Ven Ariyesako's "A Guide for Laypeople"
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... guide.html

Rgds

[Goofaholix]

I believe the answer is no to both of those questions. As long as the food is offered properly and before noon it shouldn't matter where you are.

[appicchato]

Here in Thailand it's no, and yes...don't know if there's a rule, or not, but you don't see Thai monks and lay people sharing the same table...

[Cittasanto]

1. are there any rules which forbid a monk from eating at a restaurant?
No there are rules about eating at a communal food distribution place (name?) but these would not be an issue here.

2. are there any rules which forbid a monk and layman from eating at the same table ( but not sharing food) ?
no, obviously there are rules about things being properly offered and as long as that is kept then there should be no problem. but ask the monks/transport co-ordinator for clarification on popper protocol.