I'm a bit of a germ-ophobe, so buffets are a no-no for me.
Yeah, me too. One thing that I discussed with my family only last evening whilst out to a little local restaurant, is not having the water from the bottle brought to the table. I have seen fur growing in the bottom of them and I don't think the bottle get ashes after each table is cleared. Was assured by the family that they would be. Just had to disagree, I think they are just refilled and chilled and then brought to the next diners.
I'd rather a sit-down meal, but 2 friends & myself, have a Christmas buffet meet up each December at The Star, in Darling Harbour, Sydney. The only other buttets I eat at, is up stairs on the cruise ships each breakfast, lunch on the 'at sea' days, & dinner on port days, because I don't like having to dress up after being ashore all day for dinner!