Spring Break
Tips for proper etiquette when dining out
Amanda Heidman
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
While eating a meal in a restaurant, many people spend a majority of their time complaining about the small things that go wrong. They don't take the time to realize many of those problems reflect back on themselves and their "performances" as patrons.
If they did, they would see there are a number of measures all restaurant guests can take to please the restaurant employees and, in turn, provide themselves with a better experience.
The first thing you, as a patron, can do to make your experience better is immediately inform the host or hostess if you want a certain type of table, such as a booth, or if you want to be seated in a certain section of the restaurant. Many people are very specific about where they like to sit in restaurants, which is completely acceptable if it enhances their experience. However, if a customer waits until the host or hostess is already leading them to another table before they tell them where they truly want to sit, it will annoy the employee and the customer will not receive the service, or table, they deserve.
Once you are seated, if you decide to bring your children, make sure they stay at the table with you. The worst thing you can do in a restaurant is assume the servers and hosts/hostesses will double as babysitters. This aggravates restaurant employees, as it is dangerous having little kids running around when people are carrying heavy trays of food and drinks. It is also dangerous for the children because the employees won't watch them and there is no one to make sure they are avoiding the front door and strangers.
During your dining experience there will, without a doubt, be mistakes. The proper way to deal with this is to understand the employees are all people, and they are all trying their best to give you the service you deserve. Be firm in what you want but be polite and, most of all, patient. Do not blame the mistakes that were made in the kitchen on your waitress or waiter and likewise with the host/hostess and bussers.
Finally, when you are paying your bill, it is polite to leave at least a 15 percent tip for good service. It is not only about the money for the server, but it is also a form of rating for how much you enjoyed your meal and your experience in the restaurant. Believe it or not, servers remember people who give good tips, and they will provide you with the best and most personal service they can next time.
If you take these steps when you go out to eat and try not to focus so much on the things that went wrong, you will undoubtedly have a much better dining experience.
If they did, they would see there are a number of measures all restaurant guests can take to please the restaurant employees and, in turn, provide themselves with a better experience.
The first thing you, as a patron, can do to make your experience better is immediately inform the host or hostess if you want a certain type of table, such as a booth, or if you want to be seated in a certain section of the restaurant. Many people are very specific about where they like to sit in restaurants, which is completely acceptable if it enhances their experience. However, if a customer waits until the host or hostess is already leading them to another table before they tell them where they truly want to sit, it will annoy the employee and the customer will not receive the service, or table, they deserve.
Once you are seated, if you decide to bring your children, make sure they stay at the table with you. The worst thing you can do in a restaurant is assume the servers and hosts/hostesses will double as babysitters. This aggravates restaurant employees, as it is dangerous having little kids running around when people are carrying heavy trays of food and drinks. It is also dangerous for the children because the employees won't watch them and there is no one to make sure they are avoiding the front door and strangers.
During your dining experience there will, without a doubt, be mistakes. The proper way to deal with this is to understand the employees are all people, and they are all trying their best to give you the service you deserve. Be firm in what you want but be polite and, most of all, patient. Do not blame the mistakes that were made in the kitchen on your waitress or waiter and likewise with the host/hostess and bussers.
Finally, when you are paying your bill, it is polite to leave at least a 15 percent tip for good service. It is not only about the money for the server, but it is also a form of rating for how much you enjoyed your meal and your experience in the restaurant. Believe it or not, servers remember people who give good tips, and they will provide you with the best and most personal service they can next time.
If you take these steps when you go out to eat and try not to focus so much on the things that went wrong, you will undoubtedly have a much better dining experience.
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