Dining Etiquette: Things You Should Never Do in a Restaurant

When many of us dine out, we are looking for a relaxing, and at times elevated experience. Numerous high-end restaurants are often known for their rules – often unwritten – from having strict dress codes and respectable noise levels to different cutlery for certain dishes. But simply because you may not be dining in a fancy restaurant, doesn't mean there are rules you shouldn't adhere to.

Having a basic understanding of dining etiquette, and etiquette in general, is something we all should have. Placing our napkins in our laps, chewing with our mouths closed, and showing respect to those around us may seem like common sense but quite often, even these basics go ignored.

Most people will recognize the 25 things you should never, ever do in a fancy restaurant. Other eateries are more laid back but there are still standards for acceptable behavior. Unfortunately, not everyone appears to know dining etiquette or if they do, they don't adhere to them.

24/7 Tempo has assembled a list of dining etiquette: things you should never do in a restaurant, based on the podcast "Eating Out" — produced by Emily Post Etiquette, a celebrated authority on good manners — and also on common sense and editorial experience.

Our list is hardly exhaustive but covers some of the most appalling behavior that restaurants on every level have endured. (If you're looking for dining spots, check out the one can't-miss restaurant in every state.)

• Definition: Dressing in sweaty gym gear, dirty work clothing, or beachwear
• Why? It's disrespectful to other diners, you may get mud everywhere and you may smell
• Exceptions: Beach bars, gym snack bars, works canteens

• Definition: Choosing your own table
• Why? Restaurants spread diners around so that work is shared between waiting staff
• Exceptions: Casual restaurants where you order at the bar and can sit anywhere

• Definition: Clearly under the influence of alcohol
• Why? You are likely to disturb other diners with your behavior
• Exceptions: Fastfood takeaways will probably tolerate you better

• Definition: Focus on the drinking rather than the eating
• Why? You will get drunk and become a nuisance to other diners and staff
• Exceptions: None – you need to know your limits

• Definition: Talking at a louder volume than any other diners
• Why? No one else is interested in what you are saying
• Exceptions: Some very noisy restaurants or outdoor dining

• Definition: Children running/walking/crawling away from your own table
• Why? Hot food and drink are being carried around so it is dangerous
• Exceptions: Kids parties and functions where everyone expects chaos

• Definition: Make so many changes that you've re-written the menu
• Why? If you don't like the food there, why did you go there?
• Exceptions: Restaurants where you are encouraged to 'build' your own dish

• Definition: Choosing the priciest dish when someone else is paying
• Why? You wouldn't like it if they did it to you
• Exceptions: You are paying the bill yourself

• Definition: Adding salt and pepper to everything
• Why? You may be ruining subtle flavors
• Exceptions: None – too much salt is bad for you

• Definition: Starting to talk before swallowing what you have in your mouth
• Why? You will spit everywhere and could choke
• Exceptions: None

• Definition: Dragging out the mascara and lipstick at the table
• Why? You won't have a big enough mirror and it's unnecessary
• Exceptions: You have to leave quickly and have no time to get to the cloakroom

• Definition: Removing bits of food with your nail or a toothpick
• Why? Do we really have to explain?
• Exceptions: It is causing you pain or trauma to your gums

• Definition: A group of diners calculating every last dime they each spent
• Why? It makes you look mean and resentful
• Exceptions: One person in the group clearly expects you to subsidize their meal

• Definition: Making physical contact with your server on purpose
• Why? Unwanted physical contact is never okay in any setting
• Exceptions: You are preventing an accident e.g. a hot drink being spilled on someone

• Definition: Leaving the restaurant without giving your server a tip
• Why? Servers wages aren't great and they need the tips
• Exceptions: The service was exceptionally bad and you have had to complain

• Definition: Taking your significant other to a restaurant to tell them it's over
• Why? Other diners could be embarrassed by the shouting/crying/throwing things that could take place
• Exceptions: You feel unsafe and you need to be in a public place