Tim Zagat, the CEO of Zagat.com, shared the results of the company’s survey in a MSNBC News video about the new dining etiquette for the Web 2.0 age. Let me know what you think of these new rules of dining out:
- Women and men should be treated equally, no matter who is paying for the bill.
- Whoever initiates a dinner date should pay for the bills, regardless of the gender.
- Do NOT talk, text, tweet, or e-mail at the table and turn off a cellphone's ringer. It is fine, however, to use cellphones when one is alone.
- It is fine to bring children to most restaurants, but not a good idea if it is a romantic place.
- Casual dress is more acceptable these days.
- One should honor his/her reservations. Or, one must cancel them on time.
- Do NOT overstay one's welcome at a restaurant, especially in a busy location.
- “Customers are always right.”
Its about time someone spoke on the rules of etiquette!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tim Zagat for most of the rules. As a woman its easy to pick up on whether or not you're being treated equally at a restaurant. If there is a female server, you're most likely not to run into problems. But I think you will get treated differently male or female if you're impolite and disrespectful to the server. It is not uncommon for people to misunderstand how much work really goes into being a server, so I try and stay as relaxed as possible, and treat the server the way I would hope to be treated.
Who orders first?? On an informal occasion, anyone goes. If you're prepared, if your order is small and not confusing, it really shouldnt matter. At a formal restaurant, or with your family, I think as a respect, women go first.
No, no, no, no electronic divices!! If, and only if, youre waiting to be seated, and youre alone, should your phone come out. If you're going out to eat with others, you're there to enjoy their company, not text or tweet. As a parent, put it on vibrate.
I am a personal stickler when it comes to whether or not children should be allowed in restaurants. I'm sure when I was younger I wasnt always a pleasure to have around, but if kids are whaling, take them out. Nothing makes me more upset then when parents let the kids sit at the table and scream at the top of their lungs. It ruins the experience for everyone else in the area!!
Dont be a slob?? DUH.
Over staying your welcome is difficult. It always nice to stay and enjoy some time out, but be respectful to the other people in line. When I'm out to eat, I dont like waiting around for a table, especially when there is a couple sitting after they've finished their meal. I think if you remember the possibility of being on the other side of that situation next time, you wouldnt see people stay as long.
When it comes to canceling a reservation, be respectful. How would you feel if you were expecting dinner guests and then they didnt show up??
The customer is always right?? Wrong. I dont know who started this rule to begin with but this is why I believe some people give servers a difficult time. Obviously it is not appropriate to argue in the restaurant, but if you're wrong in a situation, there is no reason as a server to act like everything is okay.