Don’t dine out much? Hate spending money at restaurants? Been too worried to go back to a restaurant since the pandemic? There are plenty of reasons you may not remember how to behave at a restaurant, but luckily for you, we love restaurants and we’re experts in not annoying our friends. Here are 8 etiquette mistakes you should never make when eating at a restaurant.
Not Treating the Staff Well
This is a life rule, actually. Servers work really hard, and while it is their job to serve you, it’s also your job as a fellow human being on the planet to treat them kindly. Whatever happened in the kitchen isn’t your server’s fault. Don’t embarrass yourself and the people you’re eating with by being rude to somebody living paycheck-to-paycheck.
Showing up Late
There’s nothing more awkward than trying to convince the staff that the person you’re meeting is actually coming. You really don’t want to make your friend look like they’re actively being stood up for a date, do you?
Not Keeping Your Nap in the Lap
Your napkin is gross; keep it out of sight. It may have started the meal clean and white, but it’s a tapestry of your food’s colors now. Stick that thing in your lap so nobody has to think about it.
Talking on Your Phone
If you’re taking time to eat at a restaurant, you can probably afford to not look at your phone for a few minutes. If there’s an emergency call you need to make or take, at least step away from the table. Nobody came to this restaurant to listen to your conversations. Your friends didn’t meet you here to watch you text, either.
Not Closing Your Mouth
You know this, right? You must know this. On the off-chance you don’t: Close your mouth when you chew your food. It’s so very important.
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Splurging When You’re Not Paying
If you’re buying, order to your heart’s content. If you’re being treated, try to get something reasonably priced, and definitely don’t be the person who orders the most expensive thing.
Not Keeping Pace With Your Fellow Diners
This starts when the plates begin to hit the table; hang back for your first bite until everybody’s plates have hit the table, and ideally, once everybody else has already begun. Try not to eat your whole plate in half the time they do. Conversely, don’t take double the time to finish your meal. Nobody needs to be waiting on each other to go home.
Not Passing the Vibe Check
Are you too dressed up for the diner? Too casual for the steakhouse? Make sure you know where you’re headed and what the vibe is when you get there.
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