Eating Out Etiquette

Do you know how you behave when eating out? Are you friendly? Polite? Patient? Do you get rude and overbearing (or cheap) when someone else is waiting on you?

Here are some tips that make your next dining out experience a little more enjoyable for everyone:

If you walk into an establishment on your cell phone and people don’t rush to help you….. it’s because you are on your cell phone. It shows a marked rudeness toward the person who is attempting to wait on or seat you.

Compliment for good service! If you have a good experience, please let a manager know! It makes them feel good to hear that you walked away happy! And don’t forget it takes as much time and less energy to say something positive.

Respect your fellow customers! You would want them to respect you, so don’t do anything that would irritate you!

Remember that sales associates and servers don’t set prices. Voicing an issue about prices is best directed to the owners of the company or resturant. If the person assiting you gives you an e-mail address or website, they are trying to be helpful.

Don’t hit on your server unless you have met them more than once and they seem open to you. If you really think that you are interested, take the time to try and get to know them by being a regular. I know I said that a few times, but trust me, it can make all the difference. Besides, wouldn’t you feel a little creepy if the roles were reversed?

Eating out should and can be a pleasure. Simple niceities should exist on both ends; when you are nice to people they will always be nice back. Even the kindest of people can be tried in the patience area!

Remember that if you plan to come back, your attitude will be remembered long after you have forgotten.