Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

If you're out for dinner with someone and your food comes before theirs, is it propper etiquette to wait for their food before you start eating? What if they tell you to start? Do you start or insist on waiting? If they get their food first, do you have any problem with them starting? I feel awkward when there is food on the table and no one is eating. For me, it depends on who I'm eating with. If I'm with a date, I'll obviously wait. Almost anyone else though and I just start eating. My family and friends don't care.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

Yeah, I think you got it.

If Im out with mates, and my Parma beats their steak, fair game.

With a date, you want to pretend to be civilised, and hold out until its all there. Id do this with my mum too, but thats about it.

I think it's less important in a big group. But good wait staff normally get it all out together anyhow.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

If someone at the table has not gotten their entree, I'll usually wait.

FWIW, the entrees should all come at once making this a non issue.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

Even with a date, it feels awkward with the food just sitting there. I feel obligated to wait, so I do. If her food comes first, I'll just tell her to start.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

Once two have been served, it is OK to begin.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

I'm paying (usually decent money) for the [censored], why should I let it get cold?

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

if i'm on a date, definitely wait...with family, nope...now that u bring it up, i'm actually surprised how many times the entrees have come at different times...odd really...

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

I hate restaurants that cant bring everyones food at the same time. Its not that [censored] hard to time everyones food up

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
I hate restaurants that cant bring everyones food at the same time. Its not that [censored] hard to time everyones food up

[/ QUOTE ]

a good restaurant will never stagger food to the table. Hell, even our pub servery can do it.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

Here in Thailand they dont give a [censored]. Sometimes everyone at the table gets their food and I wait over 10 mins. One time I waited about 10 mins and my girl friend was done eathing so I just told them I didnt want my food anymore, got the bill and left. 10 mins is rediculous.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

Assuming that the issue is the server only has two hands and is going to return shortly with the other meals then you wait.

If the server says it will be a couple of minutes then the proper thing to do would be to ask him/her to take your meal back, keep it warm and bring all the meals out together (though in a place like TGIFriday's I guess it would fine and pragmatic to go ahead and eat your chicken wings).

When I find myself in the 2nd situation, the server's tip is adversely impacted.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

Date, wait.

With friends, I'll tell them to start eating. They will.

I'll wait until my friends tell me to start eating. They will, and I will.

With family, food is eaten when put in front of us.

I agree that restaurants should bring out food at the same time. Not that hard.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

I never even knew this was considered ettiquite until I saw it on a TV show when I was 20ish. Asian people don't care about this kind of thing.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
If you're out for dinner with someone and your food comes before theirs, is it propper etiquette to wait for their food before you start eating? What if they tell you to start? Do you start or insist on waiting? If they get their food first, do you have any problem with them starting? I feel awkward when there is food on the table and no one is eating. For me, it depends on who I'm eating with. If I'm with a date, I'll obviously wait. Almost anyone else though and I just start eating. My family and friends don't care.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup this is standard. If will insist on waiting ONCE and then I go ahead. I also offer the date some of what I am eating. I HATE WAITING! But you have to....... especially if its a business thing. You wait

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

If you're starving and with a date, I think offering her some of your food is a good way out. Once she tries it you can sneak a few bites in yourself.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

Also, if you're given the go-ahead to start eating before your fellow party member's food arrives, it's nice to offer them a bite of yours.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

s,

I always wait.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

when i get food i eat it
simple really

if im on a date with some dumb [censored] i might wait just like Id tell her all sorts of lies to [censored] her. But thats assuming its a girl I only want to [censored]. If its a girl I actually like Im eating when the food is there. I dont care if you call it uncivilized, its not my fault her food isnt there. I dont give a [censored] if someone else eats before I get my food.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

yeah i have noticed that this never really happens to me EXCEPT at this local thai restaurant i go to.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

I've also noticed this a lot at thai/other asian restaurants. It's one of my biggest dining pet peeves, and means an automatic tip-slashing.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
I hate restaurants that cant bring everyones food at the same time. Its not that [censored] hard to time everyones food up

[/ QUOTE ]

Did you ever cook 2 meals at the same time? It´s [censored] hard to complete both simultaneously. The kitchen chiefs usually have to finish something like 20 things at the correct time at once.

Now, of course, they´re professionals with the proper training, and a good timing is definetly an important part of the deal, but don´t tell me that´s an easy job, you´re just plain wrong.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've also noticed this a lot at thai/other asian restaurants. It's one of my biggest dining pet peeves, and means an automatic tip-slashing.

[/ QUOTE ]

you realize it usually isn't the waiter's fault right? when the cook produces the food and it isn't coordinated, the waiter has two choices, one is to bring the food at different times and the other is to bring it cold. kind of unfair to punish the waiter.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
...But good wait staff normally get it all out together anyhow.

[/ QUOTE ]

...in a nice place, you should expect the food to come out at the same time. Also, I'd say that its the kitchens fault. Its one thing to be a good cook, but to be a great cook requires timing and organization (ie. putting the steaks on before the fish). The head chef is responsible for making sure all dishes are ready for service at the same time.

if food comes at different time (depending on company) you should wait at least 5 minutes, and then complain before the second dish arrives. If you aren't comp'd a desert or coffee or app taken off, then you are either in not that nice of a restaurant or your waiter/ess is not good and doesn't deserve a good tip.


don't be afraid to speak up is something isn't right... its good for the restaurant and its good for you. But be polite and DON"T be an ass or you might get some special sauce.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've also noticed this a lot at thai/other asian restaurants. It's one of my biggest dining pet peeves, and means an automatic tip-slashing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Slashing tips for this at an asian restaraunt is silly.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
when i get food i eat it
simple really

if im on a date with some dumb [censored] i might wait just like Id tell her all sorts of lies to [censored] her. But thats assuming its a girl I only want to [censored]. If its a girl I actually like Im eating when the food is there. I dont care if you call it uncivilized, its not my fault her food isnt there. I dont give a [censored] if someone else eats before I get my food.

[/ QUOTE ]

Some girl is just going to be so proud to bring you home to Mom. And the rest are going to be kicking themselves that they let such a catch get away.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've also noticed this a lot at thai/other asian restaurants. It's one of my biggest dining pet peeves, and means an automatic tip-slashing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Slashing tips for this at an asian restaraunt is silly.

[/ QUOTE ]

Racist?

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've also noticed this a lot at thai/other asian restaurants. It's one of my biggest dining pet peeves, and means an automatic tip-slashing.

[/ QUOTE ]

you realize it usually isn't the waiter's fault right? when the cook produces the food and it isn't coordinated, the waiter has two choices, one is to bring the food at different times and the other is to bring it cold. kind of unfair to punish the waiter.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just about every restaurant I've ever seen or worked in has some sort of hot lamp or something for the specific purpose of keeping prepared food warm while waiting for the waiter to pick it up. 95% of the time there's no reason for one entree to be brought out 5 minutes before another. Also, I'm racist.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

You must always wait in all circumstances (except in Asia I guess, then it's when in Rome...). Doing otherwise is excessively rude.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've also noticed this a lot at thai/other asian restaurants. It's one of my biggest dining pet peeves, and means an automatic tip-slashing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Slashing tips for this at an asian restaraunt is silly.

[/ QUOTE ]

Racist?

[/ QUOTE ]

no he's saying asian restaurants/waiters habitually bring food out when it's ready, not because of some mistake or server mishap. so cutting their tip is stupid, because to them it's not a mistake/problem

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've also noticed this a lot at thai/other asian restaurants. It's one of my biggest dining pet peeves, and means an automatic tip-slashing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Slashing tips for this at an asian restaraunt is silly.

[/ QUOTE ]

Racist?

[/ QUOTE ]

no he's saying asian restaurants/waiters habitually bring food out when it's ready, not because of some mistake or server mishap. so cutting their tip is stupid, because to them it's not a mistake/problem

[/ QUOTE ]

Correct. Many of their customers share dishes so it makes sense to just bring you things when they are ready so you can get started.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
so cutting their tip is stupid, because to them it's not a mistake/problem

[/ QUOTE ]

non sequitur, IMO.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

d,

The places where I go that food is brought out at different times are all places where we share plates, so it's not an issue.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

I really like restaurants where they get a server for every person, they all come out with all the entres, surround the table like a pack of raptors, and then BAM everyone gets their food.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
so cutting their tip is stupid, because to them it's not a mistake/problem

[/ QUOTE ]

non sequitur, IMO.

[/ QUOTE ]

It may be a restaurant policy to bring it out when it's ready and not wait (I'm not sure how this goes in restaurants).

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

i have lots of asian friends. whenever we dine together its always family style esp at asian restaurants. so the server at asian places proly figures it doesnt matter since everyone is sharing.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
I always wait.

[/ QUOTE ]
I always wait, unless I am eating with exactly one other friend or family member, my food is getting cold or I'm ravenously hungry, and they tell me to go ahead.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
I really like restaurants where they get ten servers for every person, they all come out with all the entres, surround the table like a pack of raptors, and then BAM everyone gets their food.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

Fast food = eat

but since you said restaurant, I almost always wait, unless I'm with family and it seems alright to go ahead

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

PF,

"I really like restaurants where they get a server for every person, they all come out with all the entres, surround the table like a pack of raptors, and then BAM everyone gets their food."

Yeah, that rules. Delmonico's Steakhouse in Vegas is one place where your plates all hit the table at the same time, that's great.

Re: Restaurant dinner etiquette
 

[ QUOTE ]
i have lots of asian friends. whenever we dine together its always family style esp at asian restaurants. so the server at asian places proly figures it doesnt matter since everyone is sharing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Where are good Asian places in Cleveland?