Don’t Do These 15 Things at a Restaurant
This post may contain affiliate links.
When you are at a restaurant, the experience can be delightful and relaxing. You can enjoy good food, excellent service, and memorable moments with friends or family. Most people look forward to eating out, but some common mistakes can turn a fun meal into an awkward situation.
This article highlights fifteen things to avoid while dining out. By being mindful of these actions, you can ensure a pleasant time for yourself, others, and the staff.
Disturb Other Diners
When dining out, be aware of your surroundings and considerate of others. Avoid talking too loudly, using foul language, or making excessive noise, as it can disturb other diners’ experience. Some people may seek a quiet and peaceful atmosphere while enjoying their meal, so respect their space and keep your volume at an appropriate level.
Attempt to Bring in a Lap Dog
While some restaurants offer outdoor seating for pets, most establishments prohibit animals inside. Even if your pet is well-behaved and small enough to fit on your lap, it can cause a disturbance and pose a health risk to other patrons. Always leave your pets at home when dining out.
Leave a Poor Tip
Tipping is a customary practice in most restaurants, showing appreciation for the service. Leaving a poor or no tip can insult the staff working hard to make your dining experience pleasant. If you are dissatisfied with the service, speak to the manager instead of taking it out on the waitstaff.
Ignore Dress Codes
Some restaurants have dress codes, whether for formal or casual attire. Follow these guidelines to show respect for the establishment and other diners. Call or check the restaurant’s website if you are unsure about the dress code.
Bring Your Food and Drinks From Home
Bringing your food and drinks from home is considered rude and disrespectful to the restaurant. You are paying for the service and experience of dining out, so it’s best to leave food and drinks outside at home.
Be Rude to the Staff
The staff at a restaurant are there to provide a pleasant dining experience. Being rude, demanding, or disrespectful towards them can ruin their day and affect the service they provide. Be kind and courteous to the staff, and if you have any complaints, address them politely.
Try to Negotiate Prices
Restaurants have set prices for their menu items, and trying to negotiate or haggle is inappropriate. You may come across as cheap or disrespectful to the establishment, so paying the listed price is best.
Leave Without Paying Your Bill
It may seem obvious, but leaving a restaurant without paying your bill is illegal and disrespectful to the staff and other diners. If you are dissatisfied with the service or food, speak to the manager instead of walking out.
Take Photos at a Restaurant
While capturing and sharing every moment on social media is tempting, taking excessive photos at a restaurant can irritate other diners. Be mindful of your surroundings and take quick pictures if necessary.
Not Follow Cue for Placing Orders
Most restaurants operate with a designated order system. To facilitate a smooth experience for everyone, always follow these cues. If the establishment uses a table order system, ensure everyone on your table is prepared to order before signaling the server. Also, when ordering at the counter, patiently wait your turn and avoid interrupting others being served.
Insisting on Seating for Your Group in Different Areas of the Restaurant
It’s understandable to want to sit with your friends or family when dining out, but insisting on seating in different areas of the restaurant can cause inconvenience for the staff. It’s best to accommodate their seating arrangements and enjoy the company of your group.
Leave a Huge Mess
Leaving a mess at the table or in the restaurant disrespects the establishment, staff, and other diners. Be mindful of your surroundings, clean up, and leave the table presentable. It’s a basic courtesy that shows appreciation for the service provided.
Ask for Something in Exchange for a Tip
Some people may think they can get something extra by offering a tip, but this is inappropriate. The staff are working hard and deserve fair wages, so tipping should not be used as a bargaining tool. If you want an additional item, order it from the menu.
Engaging in Public Display of Affection
While a romantic date may seem like the perfect time for PDA, it can make others uncomfortable and affect their dining experience. Keep your affectionate displays private to respect other diners’ space.
Use Your Phone Too Much
Constantly being on your phone during a meal can distract and disrespect those around you. Take this time to enjoy the company of others and disconnect from technology for a while. If you must use your phone, be mindful of the volume and avoid making loud calls.
10 Big Things Non-Americans Believe All Americans Have in Their Homes
Having the perspective of someone on the outside looking in can make you rethink what you’re accustomed to every day. This can be as simple as your specific life to the lives of a country as a whole. People who don’t live in America share their thoughts on what every American has in their homes on an online forum. Whether these ten items are genuinely in every household in the US is up to you to decide.
10 Big Things Non-Americans Believe All Americans Have In Their Homes
10 Popular Places in the US That Have Tent Cities Today
The US is dubbed the land of opportunity and abundance, but not everyone has a roof over their head. While the number of homeless people has increased in the last decade, tent cities are a growing reality, especially in larger states, a sobering reminder of the deep-seated issues of homelessness, poverty, and lack of affordable housing in the US.
10 Popular Places in The US That Have Tent Cities Today
Airbnb Must-Haves: Insights From a Well-Traveled Airbnb Guest
Drawing from our experiences, this article offers valuable insights and tips to help hosts create an unforgettable Airbnb experience. Let’s delve into the Airbnb essentials and must-haves that will delight guests.
Airbnb Must-Haves: Insights From a Well-Traveled Airbnb Guest
18 of the Most Dangerous Small Towns in America
The truth about the most dangerous towns in America is surprising. They differ from the towns you would expect or where you think they should be.
