Short Gastro Etiquette - You Should Know These Rules When Visiting a Restaurant

Today, for many, visiting a restaurant is no longer a special event or a small "holiday" as it used to be. But whether you go to restaurants every day or visit them on special occasions, it never hurts to review how to behave in them so that you don't get into an embarrassing situation. Proper etiquette and dining are important, thanks to them you make a good impression on your company and do not embarrass yourself in front of the staff or other restaurant visitors.

Entrance to the restaurant

Are you going to a restaurant with your partner or a potential client or your boss? Let's review who enters the restaurant door first. Normally, a man opens the door and the woman, or an older, more respected person, or a superior, enters first. If you are going to lunch or dinner with a woman, the man enters the restaurant first. Historically, such spaces were perceived as unknown or theoretically dangerous, so the man symbolically protects the woman by entering first to this day.

Sitting

The rule that elbows don't belong on the table is probably familiar to all of us. Also, don't rest your head on the table and sit upright rather than hunched over. Gesture appropriately when talking, but never with cutlery in your hand, you don't want any food to end up on your partner's clothes or a colleague. If you have a cloth napkin, spread it on your lap as soon as you sit down. Don't tuck it under your shirt collar, it will look funny. After the last course, fold the napkin casually so that any traces of food are not visible, and place it next to your plate. Place the paper napkin on your left while eating - it will be more practical to handle, since we usually eat with our right hand. After eating, place it on your plate, or leave it on the left side of the plate.

Ordering food

Did you know that in the past, a man had to interpret a woman's order for the waiter? Today, women are given priority in terms of importance (along with older or more respected people), so they should be given priority in ordering. Likewise, the woman (and the oldest, most important person at the table) should start eating first, followed by the others.

Cutlery

During a formal meal, you may be surprised by a table set for several courses. The rule for not getting lost in the flood of cutlery and plates is simple - during each course, always pick up the cutlery from the outside towards the plate. We hold the knife in our right hand, the fork in our left. Left-handed people can, of course, adjust their cutlery holding to suit their needs.

Cups

A mobile phone does not belong on the table.

Even if you are alone at a restaurant table, it is not very polite to read - whether it is a newspaper, a book or messages on your mobile phone - while eating. If you have company, definitely keep your mobile phone in your pocket, do not put it on the table, and do not look at it, do not write messages and ideally do not even make phone calls. We would like to thank Sky Bar & Restaurant in Bratislava for providing the space for the photo shoot.