A strange habit of mine...

Want to try it yourself? E-mail me a picture of your creation at ben@benandleanna.com, and I'll post it on this webpage for all to see!
I reserve the right to post or not post any submission.

Need some hints to help you get started?

Ta Molly's, Paris, Texas
September 27, 2005

Chili's, Davenport, Iowa
September 5, 2004

The Fireside Dinner Theater, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin
April 10, 2004

The Great Dane, just off Capitol Square, Madison, Wisconsin
March 27, 2004

Curly's Pub, Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
March 13, 2004

Applebee's, W College Ave, Appleton, Wisconsin
February 10, 2004

Hints for Making Your Own Restaurant Pyramids
Ben Miller, 9-15-2004

I've been building Sweet 'n Low pyramids while waiting for food for several years. Here are some tips on how to get started. These aren't rules, just a few suggestions. Be creative, try something challenging, have fun! If you take a picture of it, e-mail it to me at ben@benandleanna.com and I'll post it!

• The pink packets work the best. And I don't say that because I like pink. (Sorry, Steven Tyler and Superman.) The white packets (sugar) are very bulky and heavy. The blue packets (aspartame) are too long and narrow. The pink packets (saccharin) are the best bet because the substance is lightweight and the length-to-width ratio of the packets is good.

• By the way, pink, white, blue: None of them are for eating, only for pyramid building.

• Sweet 'n Low packets can be more challenging than cards because they are not nearly as uniformly shaped and they are much more flexible. On the plus side, you can bend the edges if you need to, something you would never do with cards.

• To make a standard 3-level pyramid, 30 pink packets are required. It is very rare to find that many on your table. You could ask the waiter for more packets, but I prefer to steal them from unoccupied tables when no one is looking. I have only once had a waiter get verbally upset with me. (Curly's Pub, Green Bay, March 13, 2004: "They make us count those, you know!")

• Be choosy about the packets. You want pink packets that are clean and crisp, not a lot of wrinkles. Sometimes the packets are not cut evenly or seem overstuffed - avoid these as well.

• A sturdy table is helpful. If it's too wobbly, you may have problems, but you might be surprised how earthquake-resistant a properly constructed pink pyramid can be.

• The table surface needs to provide a certain level of friction, or building will be difficult. The best table surfaces are natural wood. A napkin will provide a great surface; however, use of a napkin is cheating. Still, it is necessary sometimes due to the complete unsuitability of some restaurant tabletops. Try building without a napkin first. If this proves too difficult on your table, a napkin will help a lot.

• Don't get frustrated, just have fun.

• Leave a hefty tip if the waiter says something nice. Leave a lousy tip (or no tip) if they give you a hard time.

• Leave the pyramid up when you leave, and give the busboy something to enjoy!

Back

Copyright 2005 Ben Miller