Restaurant dinner etiquette

splashpot · #1 10-04-2006, 07:38 AM

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.

Magisastar · #2 10-04-2006, 07:43 AM

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.

ThreeMartini · #3 10-04-2006, 07:44 AM

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.

splashpot · #4 10-04-2006, 07:52 AM

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.

StevieG · #5 10-04-2006, 07:57 AM

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

BradleyT · #6 10-04-2006, 09:42 AM

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

Suigin406 · #7 10-04-2006, 09:45 AM

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...

farang0 · #8 10-04-2006, 09:46 AM

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

Peter Harris · #9 10-04-2006, 09:47 AM

[ 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.

farang0 · #10 10-04-2006, 09:52 AM

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.