Probably you are out on a date with that special person in your life or you are out with family or colleagues and the venue is a restaurant, so you are all dressed up. It could be a fiver star restaurant or otherwise, however, it is important to pay attention to one’s behaviour. In a public space, the last thing you want to happen is to ‘fall your hand‘ so you must be on your best behaviour. Here is what you need to do:
Practise good manners
Respect is reciprocal, so you treat people well. You should speak to your waiter or anybody serving you as you would to somebody on the street or someone you are acquainted with. Just because the waiters are serving you doesn’t make them your servant.
Ask for names
The sweetest sound is a person’s name. People respond well when they are called by their names. In a restaurant, a good waiter would always introduce themselves at the beginning of a meal, so you should really try and remember. If not, it does no harm at all to ask them their name and give them yours.
A little knowledge doesn’t harm
The best ways to ensure you get great service are to show a bit of personality, display some knowledge about the ingredients and, most importantly, smile. Also, believe what the waiter tells you. Customers often feel as if waiters are trying to cheat them in some capacity. Mistakes can happen but we always try to explain why.
Move out of your comfort zone
It’s all too easy to stick to what you know when going out for dinner. But surely the whole point of eating in a restaurant is to try food you don’t usually have at home? We’re not saying tear up the rule book completely, but if something is a restaurant’s speciality, it’s worth giving it a go. On a very base level, as they’re shifting so much of it, it’s likely to be the most fresh. Ask your waiter to guide you around the menu and explain each dish in more detail and get a clue as to its genesis.
Ask questions
The only stupid question in restaurants is the one you didn’t ask. They might not be able to accommodate what you’re after, but you’ll never know if you don’t try. Consider what you’re asking for and how much time or hassle it will be for the person doing it. As a general rule of thumb, the more you’re paying for your meal, the more likely the restaurant is to bend over backwards to keep you happy.
Give feedbacks
Whatever line of work you’re in, it’s nice to receive praise when you’ve done a good job. Whether that means complimenting the waiter on his or her performance, or scrawling a note to the chef to tell him about something you enjoyed, it won’t go unappreciated. Chefs, in particular, are distanced from how their food is received. If you feel bold enough, ask to go and see the chef to comment on his food. And if you can’t stand the heat, you know what you can do.