Guests take food first and usually the elderly ones and often parents will take for their kids

a few yrs back i prepped a bbq feast for my inlaws with hubby and his nephews bbq the lamb and chicken. Ss19 had his plate waiting shouting “i want the lamb i want the lamb!!” 

None of our guests had even gotten anything because it was still being cooked but skids have no manners. Hubby looked at ss and told him off the guests haven’t even eaten. You can get food once all of our guests have taken something...

i was pregnant with a 9 month old baby and managed to prep all that meat and salads, side dishes for 30-40 people whilst ss stayed in his room and dumping rubbish outside. 

But he sure as hell wants to be the greedy prick that takes the good shit first!! Nope not in our home and not if i prepped. Hubby knows my rules how rude and disrespectful this is and since i prepped this dinner which ils love heeps, hubby happily abides and agrees with my rules

Where I come from, we are taught to respect our elders.

I could see the mother of toddlers quickly grabbing a couple of "munchie" things to keep them occupied and not screaming at the table.  That is in the best interest of everyone!  But full plates for them or for older children?  No.  Elderly/hanidcapped are served first then able-bodied guests.  I get very tired of the child worshiping culture.  A  7 year old is not going to waste away if they have to wait 10 minutes for grandma and the uncles to get their plates and get settled in.

In my family the elders wouldn't have been in line at all.  The young adults would have been responsible for fixing plates and drinks for the elders.  

At the same time others would be fixing plates for the kids that aren't old enough to serve themselves.   

Once those two groups are squared away, everyone else can dig in.

I think this just depends on the family.  In our family, children get served first.  The parents make their plates and get them squared away and then the adults get in line.  This is always the way it has been.  My dad and stepmom refuse to make plates until the little kids (not teens) are all settled.

Rude.  Depending on cultural norms.

In Western cultures it is usually the norm to honor the elderly.  In other cultures it is often the norm for adults to put young children first and for the eldest present generation to deprive themselves for the little ones.

Hello, I think it is very rude

Elderly have more honor, moreover children should respect them in many ways, especially in your situation

I just always go last of the line. I find it rude when people rush the table like animals not considering people who should be going first like the elders, etc.