How to: Be a Gentleman at a Restaurant

You might not like to hear this, but bad customers usually receive bad customer service. Treat your waiter nice—after all, he’s the one handling your food. Here are some tips for ensuring a solid relationship with your server.

• When your server introduces himself, remember his name. Use it when ordering or asking for a fresh drink, and when thanking him at the end of the evening. People respond well to hearing their own names, and are more likely to treat you as “an old friend.”
• If the service hasn’t been satisfactory, don’t tell the manager that his waiter is an idiot. While it may be true, you’ll be insulting the manager, who hired the server in the first place. Be civil, and everyone will be happy to hear you out.
• If you don’t like where you’ve been seated, be sure to tell your server before you order. Even better, ask the hostess for a different table as you are being seated. Unless it’s very busy in the restaurant, it shouldn’t be a big deal, and the sooner it’s dealt with, the better for everyone.
• Take a look at the menu before asking the server to walk you through the whole thing. Don’t ask, “What’s good?”
• If you plan on splitting the cheque, let the server know before you order.
• Don’t forget to tip, obviously—15% for good service, 20% for exceptional service. Remember: tipping well doesn’t buy you the right to be rude.