13 Little Etiquette Rules to Follow When You’re Dining at a Restaurant
Dining etiquette is more than just table manners.
If you’re paying the whole bill, tell the waiter in advance
If you’re hosting the dinner party and you would like to pay for everyone’s meal, tell the waiter ahead of time that you should receive the check. If you prefer, you can also give the waiter your credit card ahead of time.
Decide ahead of time how you’re splitting the bill
If you would like separate checks, ask the waiter ahead of time if this is possible so they can keep track of what each person orders throughout the meal. However, if you’re with a large group, don’t assume the restaurant will be able to accommodate this. If everyone’s meal was around the same price range, it’s best to just split the bill evenly.
Tip well
Don’t skimp on the tip. Depending on the restaurant, your waiter may not be working on an hourly wage, which means they depend on your tip for their livelihood. Tip 15 to 20 percent for satisfactory service and 25 percent for exemplary service. Here’s some new thinking on tipping smart diners should know.