Social Etiquette Tip of the Week - Restaurant Etiquette 101
We all love to go out to dinner but sometimes we encounter a problem and wonder how to handle it. Here are some strategies for dining out, from scoring a table to sending back food.
The Restaurant is completely booked!
Put yourself on a waiting list while emphasizing how much you want a table. Your eagerness may help convince the maître d' to fit you in, even when they're booked.
You may also get lucky by calling the restaurant for cancellations late afternoon. Weekends can be the best time to score last-minute reservations, as the waiting lists are not tied up with business dinners.
You are running late and don't want to lose your reservation.
Rule number one is to call the restaurant if you expect to be more than 15 minutes late. Be clear on when you expect to arrive.
You hate your table.
Speak up immediately. Most hostesses prefer to know before a diner has been seated. If you don’t realize you are unhappy until the hostess walks away avoid complaining to your waiter. Find the hostess or the manager and express your specific issue with the table and request a spot that better meets your needs.
The air-conditioning is blasting; you're shivering.
Don't be rude; just explain that you're freezing. The restaurant will figure out a way to warm you up without overheating the other diners and it may simply mean changing your table.
So many menu options… you are overwhelmed!
First, know the following: specials often include savory items the chef is eager to cook with; signature dishes are what the chef is known for.
If you have no idea what you want, ask for the waiter's recommendation, but avoid questions like "Is the Salmon good?" Instead, give the waiter an idea of what you might be in the mood for such as pasta, seafood or meat.
You're at a steak house. You want fish.
Purists will tell you that if you're in a steak house, it's always best to go with steak. The same holds true for a fish restaurant. If you order something else don't expect to get the best meal the restaurant has to offer.
Still, there is usually at least one outstanding dish that doesn't fit into the restaurant's theme. Some say lobster is often the runner-up dish in a steak house.
The waiter tells you all about the special but doesn’t tell you the price.
Always keep in mind that specials are generally the same price as the more expensive menu items. If you really want to know the exact price, without appearing stingy, just ask, "What price point are the specials?" This question is a little less direct than asking, "How much is that?"
You don't like your food and want to send it back.
If you order a dish that arrives too raw or noticeably overcooked it’s perfect acceptable to send it back. Don't treat the wait staff poorly. They are there to fulfill all of your dining needs. As Peggy Post once said “there is a fine line between speaking up and being a prima donna.”
You were part of a party of eight...the waiter added on an 18 percent gratuity...the service was horrible. Can you have it removed?
Legally, this is a battle you might lose if the menu discloses a mandatory tip for large parties. On your side, however, is the fact that the restaurant's management doesn't want word of below-par service to get out.
Get up from the table and speak with the maître d' in a private spot. Don't start off confrontational, instead, offer specifics: It took a half hour to get your drinks; you asked for more bread two times to no avail; half your orders were wrong.
Assume that you and the maître d' have the same exacting standards when it comes to service. Mentioning that you didn’t feel the waiter met this restaurant's standards is a good opening line.
Is it OK to ogle someone’s meal and ask what they are eating?
Though it's OK to look, staring at people while they're eating makes them uncomfortable. If you need help identifying a dish, ask the server…avoid pointing if you can. Don't ask the person eating it."
Don’t be a Restaurant Camper
Some people believe that a restaurant is a lounge and hangs around for hours on end. Servers get paid based on tips and restaurants make money from turn-over. Although a good dining experience is important, taking up a server’s table and preventing the individual from making money is inconsiderate.
There's also etiquette for leaving the restaurant. It goes without saying that a generous tip is essential. But make a point of thanking your waiter for the excellent service too. Sending your compliments to the chef is an urbane way of making sure that everyone involved in your pleasant evening gets the thanks they deserve.
The way in which we conduct ourselves affects our experience. To make the public dining experience pleasant, it is important for all of us to carry out proper etiquette practices.
The Restaurant is completely booked!
Put yourself on a waiting list while emphasizing how much you want a table. Your eagerness may help convince the maître d' to fit you in, even when they're booked.
You may also get lucky by calling the restaurant for cancellations late afternoon. Weekends can be the best time to score last-minute reservations, as the waiting lists are not tied up with business dinners.
You are running late and don't want to lose your reservation.
Rule number one is to call the restaurant if you expect to be more than 15 minutes late. Be clear on when you expect to arrive.
You hate your table.
Speak up immediately. Most hostesses prefer to know before a diner has been seated. If you don’t realize you are unhappy until the hostess walks away avoid complaining to your waiter. Find the hostess or the manager and express your specific issue with the table and request a spot that better meets your needs.
The air-conditioning is blasting; you're shivering.
Don't be rude; just explain that you're freezing. The restaurant will figure out a way to warm you up without overheating the other diners and it may simply mean changing your table.
So many menu options… you are overwhelmed!
First, know the following: specials often include savory items the chef is eager to cook with; signature dishes are what the chef is known for.
If you have no idea what you want, ask for the waiter's recommendation, but avoid questions like "Is the Salmon good?" Instead, give the waiter an idea of what you might be in the mood for such as pasta, seafood or meat.
You're at a steak house. You want fish.
Purists will tell you that if you're in a steak house, it's always best to go with steak. The same holds true for a fish restaurant. If you order something else don't expect to get the best meal the restaurant has to offer.
Still, there is usually at least one outstanding dish that doesn't fit into the restaurant's theme. Some say lobster is often the runner-up dish in a steak house.
The waiter tells you all about the special but doesn’t tell you the price.
Always keep in mind that specials are generally the same price as the more expensive menu items. If you really want to know the exact price, without appearing stingy, just ask, "What price point are the specials?" This question is a little less direct than asking, "How much is that?"
You don't like your food and want to send it back.
If you order a dish that arrives too raw or noticeably overcooked it’s perfect acceptable to send it back. Don't treat the wait staff poorly. They are there to fulfill all of your dining needs. As Peggy Post once said “there is a fine line between speaking up and being a prima donna.”
You were part of a party of eight...the waiter added on an 18 percent gratuity...the service was horrible. Can you have it removed?
Legally, this is a battle you might lose if the menu discloses a mandatory tip for large parties. On your side, however, is the fact that the restaurant's management doesn't want word of below-par service to get out.
Get up from the table and speak with the maître d' in a private spot. Don't start off confrontational, instead, offer specifics: It took a half hour to get your drinks; you asked for more bread two times to no avail; half your orders were wrong.
Assume that you and the maître d' have the same exacting standards when it comes to service. Mentioning that you didn’t feel the waiter met this restaurant's standards is a good opening line.
Is it OK to ogle someone’s meal and ask what they are eating?
Though it's OK to look, staring at people while they're eating makes them uncomfortable. If you need help identifying a dish, ask the server…avoid pointing if you can. Don't ask the person eating it."
Don’t be a Restaurant Camper
Some people believe that a restaurant is a lounge and hangs around for hours on end. Servers get paid based on tips and restaurants make money from turn-over. Although a good dining experience is important, taking up a server’s table and preventing the individual from making money is inconsiderate.
There's also etiquette for leaving the restaurant. It goes without saying that a generous tip is essential. But make a point of thanking your waiter for the excellent service too. Sending your compliments to the chef is an urbane way of making sure that everyone involved in your pleasant evening gets the thanks they deserve.
The way in which we conduct ourselves affects our experience. To make the public dining experience pleasant, it is important for all of us to carry out proper etiquette practices.
Comment
Badge
Birthdays
Birthdays Today
Birthdays Tomorrow
© 2024 Created by admin.
Powered by
You need to be a member of WQMag.com to add comments!
Join WQMag.com