Restaurant Etiquette

Experts agree: Restaurant etiquette is more than table manners and polite behavior. International travelers continue to be delighted with cultural differences that make eating out such an adventure in foreign countries.

Dining Etiquette in America

Let''s start with the basics:

• The minute you walk in the door, you''ll show your grasp of good manners by showing up promptly for your reserved time. If you''re late, apologize and accept the fact that you''re in for a wait.
• When you''re eating out in a good quality restaurant, you''re expected to dress beyond the level of "no shirt, no shoes, no service." If you''re not sure what''s expected, ask when you make your reservation, particularly if you''re inviting a guest. Few restaurants in America insist on ties and jackets, but many frown on shorts and flip-flops.
• Good dining etiquette includes treating wait staff with respect. They are not your personal servants. Say "please" and "thank you" and ask the wine steward or waiter for help in choosing wine and food combinations. If mistakes are made, be cordial and enquire politely, rather than taking on a stern tone and frowning.
• When your food is served, good table manners dictate that you refrain from eating until everyone at your table has been served, unless they indicate that you should go ahead and begin.
• Leave your pager and cell phone at home. Even if you put them on vibrate, you''d be rude to answer in the middle of a conversation. The exception is adults with children. If a sitter should call, excuse yourself without interrupting, step away from the table and call back. Don''t regale the entire restaurant with loud cell phone conversations.

Children in Restaurants

If you''re hoping to teach your kids good table manners, practice at home. In general, restaurants that are hushed, dimly lit and expensive aren''t for children. The other patrons are paying a premium to eat in peace, so don''t expose them to crying babies or whining children. This isn''t just poor restaurant etiquette; it''s plain bad manners. If someone in your party brings a baby and the baby starts fussing, suggest that they take the baby outdoors for some fresh air.

Eating Out Overseas

You''ll find quite a lot of variation in the way food is served in European and Asian restaurants. In many European countries, salad, if it''s served at all, is served after the main course. Rice and pasta aren''t entrées in Italy, but starters. Many restaurants serve bread or crostini without butter.

Smoking rules are different overseas. You may find that few restaurants have designated smoking areas. Don''t try to reform the entire country. Ask for an outdoor table if the weather is good enough.

Don''t assume your waiter is being rude if he''s not stopping by your table to enquire whether you need anything or to refill your glass. Unlike American waiters, European waiters should be summoned when you need something.

When you''re eating out in European restaurants, you might not be handed a menu. In smaller restaurants, the waiter will recite the list of offerings. In Greece, you might be invited into the kitchen to select your food, and in small establishments, it''s quite common for the owner to serve you your food.