| Because of our busy lives, it is not always easy to | | | | food in pieces that are too big. You don't want to sit |
| take the time to make dinner at home. For this reason, | | | | there chewing on a big chunk of meat, especially if you |
| dining at a restaurant has become as common as | | | | are on a date. |
| going to the movies. It is fun to have our meals served | | | | 4. Keep your cell phone turned off. Talking on a cell |
| to us with no clean up afterwards. However, there are | | | | phone is rude to your guests as well as the rest of the |
| certain etiquette protocols that one should follow when | | | | people dining. |
| dining at a restaurant. | | | | 5. Don't move your plate away when have finished |
| The following are a number of etiquette Do's and | | | | your meal. Wait until the server returns to take it away. |
| Don'ts when dining at a restaurant: | | | | Your guests do not want to look at uneaten food. |
| 1. Seating: Choose a comfortable table location. Nice | | | | 6. Leave a tip of 15% of the total cost of the meal. |
| locations include next to a window or near an | | | | Waiters and waitresses acquire most of their earnings |
| attractive view such as a lovely wall picture. Make | | | | from tips as there wages are not that high. They also |
| sure you are not seated in a high traffic area as this | | | | often have to share tips with other staff such as bus |
| will be a constant distraction | | | | staff. |
| 2. Don't treat the wait staff poorly. They are there to | | | | 7. When you are ready to pay, let the server know. |
| fulfill all of your dining needs. As well, this is how they | | | | They don't always know when diners are ready to |
| are earning an income so being rude or obnoxious | | | | pay. If you are on a budget, make sure you order food |
| makes their job unpleasant and stressful. If your server | | | | that you can afford. Remember taxes, tips, and |
| makes a mistake with your order, or your food is not | | | | beverages will all be included in the price. If you are the |
| cooked properly, don't yell at the server. Be courteous | | | | one paying for the meals, don't announce the cost to |
| and kind when sending food back. | | | | your guests. |
| 3. Use good manners when you are eating. For | | | | 8. Don't sit around for hours drinking coffee. This will |
| instance, chew with your mouth closed and don't put | | | | make it one less table unavailable for other diners. The |
| too much food in your mouth. Don't use bread for | | | | restaurant will end up losing money. |
| dipping in soups or soaking up sauces. Don't make loud | | | | Dining in a restaurant is much different than dining at |
| noises when eating. Don't talk with a full mouth. Don't | | | | home. The way in which we conduct ourselves in a |
| put your elbows on the table. Use utensils when eating. | | | | restaurant affects our experience. To make the public |
| Eat at the same speed as your guests. Don't pick your | | | | dining experience pleasant, it is important for all of us to |
| teeth or lick your fingers at the table. Don't cut your | | | | carry out proper etiquette practices. |