Interpersonal Skills Stack Exchange
Interpersonal Skills Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [restaurants]

For issues that take place in a restaurant, where the location of a restaurant plays an important part in the question. Can also be questions about interactions in restaurants (such as interacting with restaurant staff).

Situations that take place in a restaurant can be a form of , it can be like this due to it being a night out with friends or work colleagues. There are other examples where it may not be a social-event, as it may just be out for a meal alone, or a meal with others in a non social event situation.

Questions here are about situations that occur in a restaurant setting, or where the location being a restaurant plays a key role in the interpersonal issue.

Can also be used with the tag if the situation is part of a social event, however this tag should be used if the question is important to the situation taking place in a restaurant.

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Is it acceptable to violate table manners in public due to my disability?

I have a tremor, which varies in intensity. I recently ordered a sandwich at a restaurant, which was pretty easy to eat, but I gave up trying to eat the salad, because I was unable to do so with a fork. If I had been at home, I would have used my…
San Franciscan
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How do I deal with other people's screaming children in restaurants?

I want to start off by saying that I'm not referring to "family friendly" restaurants or other venues where a loud, informal atmosphere might be expected. I'm specifically asking about dining establishments where, under normal circumstances, a…
Beofett
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9 answers

Covering for person who refuses to tip waiter without offending?

I had some guests in town visiting from Europe this past weekend. They wanted to treat me to a nice meal as a thank you for me hosting them so we went out to one of my favorite restaurants, which was very nice of them. When the check came I noticed…
Duke Leto
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12 answers

How can I ask if something's free, without looking stingy?

Some waiters offer something (e.g. distilled water; more amuse-bouches, hors d'œuvre or bread) without disclosing if it's free. How can I clarify tactfully? I always decline, as I don't know how to ask without being judged. But this flopped…
NNOX Apps
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11 answers

Should I have my child apologize to someone after he called them fat?

I was accompanying my 4-year-old son into the bathroom where there happened to be a very large individual. At the sight of him, my son proceeded to say (very loudly), "Daddy, that man is really fat!" as the man was closing the door of the stall.…
T James
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53
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10 answers

Asking waiters to let you eat in peace

My problem is that whenever I go to any restaurant where they serve you food, they first take your order, then they bring it and while you are eating with your mouth full of food they have to come to you ask you "Is everything ok?" This bothers me,…
Bob
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A server in a restaurant got offended when we addressed him as "Uncle"

I am from India and my experience is that addressing a serviceman in a restaurant as "waiter" is not taken positively. So depending on their age, we usually call them "brother" or "uncle". A few years back, I was visiting Germany and at one point, I…
Peaceful
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What is Soda Fountain Etiquette?

The other day I was walking with my cup to the Soda Fountain1 at a restaurant. Someone was already using the fountain, but the drink they were getting was on the far right side, while what I wanted was closer to the left. Figuring I had enough space…
scohe001
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What is the etiquette regarding ordering food at a restaurant if someone is late?

When at a restaurant with a group of friends (3 or more), and one person is running late, what is the etiquette around ordering before everyone has arrived? Considering that with an especially large group (6+), we will be taking up a fairly large…
Fodder
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How can I ask for truly spicy food at a restaurant?

As a person who (at a glance) fits all the "can't handle spice" stereotypes, yet loves spicy food, I often find myself in the awkward position of having to ask for corrections after my food comes out. Some restaurants don't have chili powder on hand…
ArnoldF
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16
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Accidental queue jumpers refuse to believe their mistake

I was queuing at a café when two older men cut the queue ahead of me. I believe it was a genuine mistake - the room was cramped with people, and a space appeared when a woman missed that the queue was moving ahead (she was reading a menu), where…
AnonymousJoe
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How do I handle not liking the cultural cuisine of my coworkers?

Background: I work in a team of 10 software developers, of which more than half are Indian, including my manager. We have mandatory team lunches every month or two, but we do pay for our own meals at these lunches. Every time we go out to these…
Michael Kniffen
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How to decline eating food at a restaurant?

I'm often invited to restaurants before or after certain meetings with groups of people I know, including friends. However, I don't like to eat "outside food" and never go to restaurants or get take out in my daily life. I'm a really cynical person…
LDR
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I'm a bibimbap heretic - can I eat my food the way I want without coming off as disrespectful?

I enjoy bibimbap. In American Korean restaurants, bibimbap is typically served as a large bowl of rice with individual portions of each topping arranged over it, like so. The traditional way to eat it is to slather it in sauce, then thoroughly mix…
user12377
11
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3 answers

Is it acceptable to order food at a restaurant if the person you are meeting is late?

In the past, I've waited for over an hour, and I spent most of the meal feeling irritated at my friend. I feel I would have been able to enjoy their company more if I had just ordered. I also felt awkward taking up a table at the restaurant for such…
Fodder
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