Transcript Restaurant Etiquette

Restaurant Etiquette
Guidelines for Ordering, Tipping, and Paying
Food & Nutrition 7.6
Objectives
After the lesson you will be able to
correctly:
 Name guidelines for ordering, tipping, and
paying a restaurant.
 Identify various types of gratuity.
Introduction
Table etiquette varies by setting, whether
at home, a fast food restaurant, or a fine
restaurant.
 Mastering basic restaurant etiquette can
make eating out more enjoyable.

Sit-Down Restaurants
It is wise to make a reservation, an
arrangement with a restaurant to hold a
table, or with a hotel to hold a room, for
a guest on a given date at a given time.
 If you change your mind or are late, call
to cancel or change the reservation.

When You Arrive
Wait for a restaurant employee to direct
you to a table, unless a sign asks you to
seat yourself.
 Check your belongings into the
checkroom if one is available, if not put
your belongings under the chair or table.
 Never put them on the table.

Read the menu carefully to view pricing,
ingredients, and preparation of items.
 Ask the server questions about the menu
items if you are unsure about an item.
 Alert the server when ordering if you
need separate checks.

During the Meal
Be respectful.
 Avoid disturbing others with loud talk and
laughter or by using your cell phone.
 Be considerate and patient with servers.
 Calmly raise your hand when he walks by
if you need the attention of your server.

Calling out or snapping your fingers is
rude to the server and disturbs others.
 Notify your server if you drop a utensil
or spill food.

Paying the Check
The server will bring the check, or
restaurant bill, at the end of the meal.
 Look the check over carefully.
 Mistakes should quietly be pointed out to
the server.
 It is customary to leave a gratuity, or tip.
 Gratuity is money charged or left as a tip
for service.

Gratuity
Servers rely on tips
for income.
 A standard tip is 15%
of the check before
tax, and 18% if
separate checks are
requested.

Type of
Restaurant
Amount to Tip
Fancy
20%
Family
15%, more for
exceptional
service
Coffee shops
Beverage only: at
least 25¢; Food
order: 15% or at
least 50¢
Buffets
10% if server
filled water
glasses and
cleared table
Fast Food
None
Paying the Check
Paying in Cash
 Place the money, including the tip, on the
table or on the tray on which the check
was presented.
Paying by Credit Card
 The server or cashier will process the
card, and hand you the slip.
 The slip has a space for the tip.
Fill in the amount, add the final amount,
sign the slip, and hand it back to the
server or cashier.
 Keep your copy for your records.

Fast-Food Restaurants
Manners are important even in a fast-food
restaurant.
 Make special requests as you order.
 When paying, hand the money to the
cashier rather than putting it on the
counter.
 Only take supplies, such as ketchup and
napkins, that are needed.

Clear your table after eating.
 When using the drive-thru, try to decide
what to order before your pull up to the
microphone.
 Have your money ready when you get to
the window to pay.
 If you have a large order, go inside.

Complaints and Compliments
Politely discuss problems with either the
server or the manager.
 If you are happy with the service, express
your appreciation to the server and the
manager.
