Eating Out

1. At the outset, choose a place of your choice for lunch or dinner, considering the quality of its food, the ambience, etc.

2. It is always better to book a table in advance in order to avoid the disappointment of waiting for a table, especially, if it is at the peak hour.

3. Remember to reach the restaurant well in time to claim your table.

4. If for some reason, you cancel your outing, it is courteous to inform the restaurant before the appointed time.

5. If you are a large group of people, then the seniormost person sits at the head of the table, with important guests on either side of him/her.

6. Young children should preferably be seated next to their mother. It becomes easier for them to keep a check on their activities.

7. When the waiter arrives with an order for drinks, courtesy demands that you ask the guests first what they would like to have.

8. When the menu card is presented, you are perfectly at liberty to ask the waiter what a particular item contains, or to explain the meaning of a particular dish.

9. The order is placed by the host or the head of the family, to whom the waiter finally presents the bill.

10. At a formal business lunch or dinner, the first order is placed by the guest of honour.

11. Appetisers, starters and the main meal are ordered simultaneously, while the order for the dessert can be placed at the end of the meal.

12. As a guest, try not to voice your opinion if the food is not up to your standard.

13. If, in between courses, you would like something else, you can tell your host who will inform the waiter.

14. Never discuss about a particular dish being very costly or cheap, but quietly choose with discretion.

15. When the bill is presented to the host, do not even be inquisite to look at it.

16. It is very important to remember to tip the waiter, even if the service charges are included in the bill.

17. Generally, the tip is 5 to 10 per cent of the bill. But if you are going dutch with many others, then the tip should be 5 per cent.

18. On entering a restaurant if you spot someone you know, wave out to that person, or smile. After seating your guests or family, you can walk across to him/ her to speak for a couple of minutes.

19. If a friend or acquaintance stops at your table, introduce him to all at your table.

20. Once you have finished eating, you may indicate by gesture to the waiter to fetch your bill.

21. Never allow your children to wander around in the restaurant. Engage them in some conversation so that they do not feel neglected.

22. Always sit from the right of the chair that has been pulled out by the waiter.

23. You may rest your elbows on the table before or after dinner (or lunch). 

24. Keep a conversation going. 25- Abstain from conversing on such topics that may make one squeamish or sad.

26. When a dish is not within your reach, or near you, avoid reaching across a person to reach it. Ask your neighbour to pass it to you.

27. When you find a glass or a dish dirty, without creating a fuss, ask the waiter to change it for a clean one.

28. When a food particle gets dislodged in between your teeth, use a tooth pick to remove it, while cupping your hand over your mouth. But at a formal dinner, visit a cloakroom to dislodge it.

29. If your have dropped a piece of cutlery, discreetly get the waiter to fetch you another, and let the dropped item lie wherever it is till the meal is over.

30. Once the meal is over, place your cutlery in the middle of the plate, side by side, and the napkin loosely beside your plate on the left.

31. If you do want to smoke, light up the cigarette after the coffee is consumed, after seeking permission from the rest of the occupants.

32. Do not forget to thank the waiter and the manager for the excellent meal and service.

33. Never burp loudly, and place your hand on your mouth while 'burping silently.