The Selfish, Rude Behaviors That Will Have Restaurant Staff Complaining About You All Week

Even when money is tight, many people still find room in their budgets to enjoy the occasional meal out. In fact, a survey conducted for the New York Post found that one-third of the 2,000 adults surveyed dined out at least three times per week. Still, nearly a quarter admitted that ordering takeout or dining out was a financial stressor, a figure that often translates into bad customer interactions.

With the rising cost of food and service, it's understandable that diners expect a smooth, respectful experience in return. Unfortunately, bad behavior at restaurants can quickly ruin what should be a pleasant outing. While high-end establishments typically come with well-known dress codes and unspoken expectations, etiquette is important across all dining settings.

To highlight the worst of the worst when it comes time to eat, 24/7 Tempo compiled a list of 16 things you should never do when dining out, and when there are notable exceptions to these cultural rules. This list draws from the Eating Out podcast produced by Emily Post Etiquette, as well as common sense, editorial judgment, and industry experience.

This post was updated July 7th, 2025, to reflect additional information.

• 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

• 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 restroom

• Definition: Removing bits of food with your nail or a toothpick
• Why? Do we 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