Etiquette experts are sure that the ability to behave properly while eating, especially in an expensive restaurant, is important for every modern person. But, unfortunately, most of us were not raised in boarding houses of noble girls and have no idea about the unspoken rules of visiting such places, informs Ukr.Media.
Let's try to fill this gap in knowledge and list the typical mistakes that many restaurant and cafe guests make. Let's start, as usual, with the entrance.
We undress in the wrong order
If you came to the restaurant with a companion (colleague, husband, lover), then do not rush to take off your outerwear and quickly show off the outfit that you have chosen so carefully. Unfortunately, many women do this, and you should wait until your man shows interest and helps you undress.
The gentleman is always dressed. First, the gentleman helps the lady undress, then he undresses himself. At this time, the lady can fix her hair, for example. And when it is time to leave, the gentleman first dresses himself, then helps the lady.
We run ahead of the locomotive
Of course, there is always a temptation to parade to the table in front of your man so that he can admire your new dress and slim figure. But this is not the case. In a restaurant, a woman is always second. She follows either her man or the hostess, who escorts guests to the desired location. In the latter case, the man completes the “procession”. A woman should not sit down at the table first, but wait until the companion pushes a chair for her, helping her to get more comfortable.
We don't know where to put our purse.
A handbag should always be at hand, so few people leave it in their wardrobe. It is much more convenient to put it on a nearby chair. But there is an important nuance here. The bag should not be put on the seat, but on the seat, so as not to create a visual barrier. And if you decide to hang it on a strap behind the back of your chair, it is better to place it on the left.
It is recommended to hang the bag on the left, as waiters serve food on the right, and you wouldn't want the waiter to trip over your bag.
We get confused in the devices
If you find yourself in a restaurant where they serve a full table (a set of cutlery for one person), don’t be alarmed. Depending on what you ordered, the extra cutlery will be taken away, and you will need to move from the edge to the center, changing cutlery as new dishes are served. Of course, it’s better to ask the waiter in advance what cutlery is customary for eating a particular dish, especially if it’s new to you and you’re afraid of appearing in an unfavorable light.
We cut the food into several pieces at once and pour the sauce over it.
European table etiquette recommends preserving the aesthetic appearance of a dish on a plate for as long as possible. It is better to cut off a small portion and, having eaten it, start a new one. The same applies to sauces that are served in a separate dish. Most often, we tend to pour more of it, directly onto the food over its entire surface. Even if you are used to doing this at home, restrain your appetite in a restaurant.
Typically, the sauce is poured into the upper right corner and the pieces are dipped into it. The lower left corner serves as a “storage” for the bones and other inedible components.
We hold the glass by the bowl and take a picture with the wine
According to the rules of etiquette, it is more correct to hold glasses by the stem, although this point still causes a lot of disagreement. It is believed that it is more convenient to hold them by the bowl, especially if the glass is large and contains a lot of content. However, in this case there is a risk of leaving your fingerprints on the glass, which makes the glass look extremely unaesthetic.
As for taking pictures and selfies with wine glasses at the table, that's not the best idea either. It's considered bad form for women to take pictures with a glass, because it's not an accessory or a souvenir.
We don't leave a tip.
It is unspoken custom to leave the waiter who served you 10% of the check amount. In many countries, this rule has been established for a long time, and no one even thinks of breaking it. In Ukraine, the attitude towards the issue of tips is still complicated. Of course, no one will oblige a guest or even hint at him to voluntarily pay extra for service. But still, it is worth thanking the waiter for his hospitality and good service.
This is not a mandatory rule, the amount can vary depending on your level of satisfaction with the restaurant. If the man pays for dinner, the woman can offer to leave a tip.
Джерело: ukr.media
