It is so accepted that men, as the stronger half of humanity, take on the main burden of observing the rules of etiquette, including the rules of restaurant etiquette. And whether it's a restaurant visit with a lady or a corporate party, men somehow have to deal with the fair sex. And if you do this, then you have to do it according to the rules! Today we will analyze restaurant etiquette or how to behave in a restaurant when you are going to spend time together.
Restaurant invitation
Let's start with when a man invites a lady to a restaurant. As a rule, this happens when both want to get to know each other better. However, even when they have known each other for many years, there are many reasons to go to a beautiful place, eat delicious food and chat.
An invitation to a restaurant is a great excuse to get to know each other better
A man should understand that if he invited a woman, then he will have to pay for a visit to the restaurant. But sometimes a woman prefers to pay for the dinner herself. This happens if she does not want to be obliged to a man in anything. Whether in this case it is worthwhile to continue acquaintance is up to the man to decide. There are even situations when girls pay for both, but this behavior is more common in France than in our area.
Most restaurants today have a separate menu for men (with prices) and for women (without prices). This is done so that the fair sex can order whatever she wants, regardless of the cost.
How to behave in a restaurant
Of course, the restaurant begins with the arrival at it. If a lady and a gentleman come by taxi, the man gets out first and helps his companion get out. If in your car, the procedure for getting out of the car is the same. Approaching the restaurant, the man opens the door and helps the lady to enter. If a lady appears in a coat or fur coat, the gentleman must take her clothes and hand them over to the wardrobe.
Arriving at a restaurant is the first opportunity to show the rules of etiquette
In an evening restaurant, an evening classic dress is appropriate for both, but in an inexpensive cafe or ice cream parlor, you can appear in more democratic casual or smart casual clothes. On the contrary, if you go there in a classic suit, and your companion is in a long evening dress and jewelry, this may not be appropriate.
If a table is booked in advance, the head waiter will lead the couple to the table, a man follows in front, showing the lady the way with the head waiter. Approaching the table, the gentleman pulls back the chair, helping to sit down, and only after that he sits down himself. The man puts the lady in a more comfortable place: for example, overlooking the stage. If the table is against the wall, then the girl is usually seated with her back to the wall or facing the entrance.
If the lady and the gentleman did not come together, and the gentleman sits at the table waiting for the lady, the warned head waiter will lead the woman to the table, while the man must get up when she appears and, pushing back the chair, help the lady sit at the table. The lady orders first, unless she asks the gentleman to do it for her. In the old days, only a man was engaged in the choice of drinks, today it is the right of both sexes.
According to the rules of etiquette – the lady orders first
If you are at a loss with the choice of food and wine, you can ask the waiter. Don't worry about this, remember that a good waiter shouldn't rush you. When serving, the restaurant employee will first serve the dishes to the lady, then to you. And you, after making sure that the lady is ready to start eating and the waiter has poured you wine, you can raise and make a toast or first have a little food, and then offer the lady a drink.
You should not fuss in the restaurant: your waiter will have to uncork bottles, pour wine or champagne, if you drop something, you should not pick it up yourself, you must call the same waiter.
Try to be considerate of your companion during dinner.
During dinner, try to be attentive to your companion: serve a salt shaker if she starts looking for her with her eyes, ask them to bring a fork if you are in a Japanese restaurant and do not know how to use chopsticks. In no case do not rush the lady and do not show any kind of obsession. The first visit to a restaurant together can decide everything. Seeing a rude and ill-mannered gentleman next to her, a woman may forever abandon the idea of meeting you.
If it's a business lunch with a lady, the rules of conduct are the same. A woman will always remain a lady, even if she is the head of a competing company.
Memo in your organizer
Remember a few more rules of restaurant etiquette, knowing perfectly well that you will look harmonious at any dinner party or dinner:
- Loud conversation in a restaurant is inappropriate.
- Do not put your elbows on the table.
- Bowing too low to the plate is discouraged.
- Do not sprawl in your chair, your posture must be impeccable.
- Do not blow on a spoon with hot food, it is better to wait for it to cool down.
- The bones from fish or fruit should not be spat out; they must be pulled out with a fork and carefully placed on a plate.
- If you can't pick up the bone with a fork, or you don't like some of the dishes, bring a napkin to your face and gently spit the contents into it.
- If you get a call on your mobile, it is best to apologize to the caller and reschedule the conversation.
- If someone you know is sitting at the tables and you want to chat, you should introduce your lady and either sit down at their table or invite them out. You should not communicate 'across the table'.
You should not violate the generally accepted norms of communication and decency in a restaurant in any way: shout loudly to the waiter, criticize his work, talk about who pays for dinner, and so on. If you don't like the service, leave the table and talk to the head waiter. When the bill arrives in the folder, put the amount indicated on the invoice in the same folder, adding a ten percent tip to it.
Dance invitation
A separate conversation is the invitation of a lady to dance. If you came to a restaurant together, everything is clear: you ask your companion if she wants to dance and invite her to the dance floor, taking into account, of course, that you will not stomp her feet. If you are at a corporate party and want to invite a lady of another gentleman, you must first ask his consent. If your lady was invited, and the lady who invited was left alone, according to the unspoken rules of etiquette, you should also invite her to dance. When you do this, do not keep your hands in your pockets, remove the glasses from your hands, do not smoke. Remember that true ladies do not forgive their inability to lead in society!
Don't miss the opportunity to invite a lady to dance
Modern rules of etiquette allow a woman to invite a man to a restaurant. But the rules of man's behavior are the same. The only 'deviation' in this case is a delicate discussion in advance of the question of who to pay. Most likely, you will just pay the bill equally.
When leaving the restaurant, the man dresses first and gives the woman her clothes. He goes to the door first, opens the door and lets the woman go out. By the smile of your lady, you will see whether you managed to conquer her with your impeccable manners!
Were able to win her attention – get an invitation to visit
