No, we aren’t playing the role of Miss Manners here. The days of keeping your elbows off the table and using a fish knife seem to be long gone. Instead, what are the moderns ‘rules’ about dining out? What’s proper and what’s poor form?
Etiquette tip #1
The number one no-no (with a bullet) is using a mobile phone during dinner. That means don’t take messages, don’t send texts under the table, don’t check your emails, don’t take calls (unless it’s from the babysitters’ number perhaps…and you know she’d only call if the house was on fire).
Having your phone on vibrate, silent (but sitting beside the plate) or worse, blasting out your latest favourite tune in the middle of a quiet restaurant, is not on. Of course, there are going to be some exceptions to the rules but really, is it so essential that you are in contact with everyone all the time? Will the world really end if you turn off your phone for the duration of the meal? I think not… A ‘blackberry’ belongs on the dessert not the dinner table.
If your phone happens to ring and you decide it’s important to answer it, then take your call outside. Don’t sit at the table and inflict your real estate negotiations, ailing love life or family dramas on your dining friends. Excuse yourself, make the conversation as brief as possible and apologise upon return.
Etiquette tip #2
These days it seems as if every second person requires gluten-free, no-peanuts, soy-based, allergy-friendly foods. That’s fine and I’m not making light of serious dietary requirements. But there’s a way to handle the situation without making a big scene about every ingredient. If you’ve got a serious allergy, give the restaurant a call before hand or speak to the waitstaff on arrival. But, if you’ve simply decided to use the “high-protein Atkins diet with a no-dairy twist” this week, make your selections from the menu and leave what you don’t want at the side of the plate. It’s acceptable to ask for ‘sauce on the side’ or ‘no bread please’ but your diet doesn’t have to dominate the meal and involve interrogation of the kitchen staff. If it’s all too hard to order something suitable perhaps you should be the chef and dine at home.
Etiquette tip #3
Be nice to the wait staff. Generally, they aren’t a well-paid bunch and don’t deserve to be yelled at. It is not appropriate to click your fingers for service or make a loud scene that causes your dining friends to cringe (and the waiter to spit in your soup). Yes, sometimes service can be slow, rude and frustrating. If it’s serious, have a quiet word to the manager. If the restaurant manager is the problem, let your feet do the talking and don’t go back.
Etiquette tip #4
Don’t slurp, burp or belch. The only exception is if you are eating at an Asian noodle house then slurping soupy noodles is expected – the louder, the better.
Other etiquette tips
When eating with chopsticks, don’t spear your food. It’s bad luck.
Eating sushi? Dip the fish side into soy, not the rice.
Share the bill amicably. Don’t fuss over exact amounts or the change, it’s usually only a matter of a few dollars, which can go into the tip.
Don’t get so drunk you actually volunteer to join the belly dancer for some gyrations!
There are hundreds of other small rules and niceties about dining out. Which fork to use? Where to put the used napkin (or do we call it a serviette?)? How to deal with olive pits… But eating out at one of Brisbane’s many restaurants should be an enjoyable experience. Mind your manners and bon appétit!
Comment question: What manners do you wish more diners displayed when eating out?
