Q&A for How to Have Manners at a Restaurant

Yes.

Of course not. In fact, you're making her job easier. She'll appreciate it.

Yes, it is generally poor etiquette to take carry-out from a buffet setting, and is often against restaurant policy.

Clean it up with a napkin. Or just gather all the crumbs, put your hand under the table edge, and push the breadcrumbs with the napkin onto your hand. After that, put the crumbs on your plate.

Say “Thank you” and “Please” to the person serving your food. At buffets when you want to get up and leave the table to get food, say “please excuse me”. This shows that you need to be excused from the table.

Usually foods that are considered as starters are labeled appetizers and other foods on the menu that are not labeled appetizers are other types of food that you can eat as your meal.

You do not have to say "excuse me" if you are just making conversation with the people at your table. If you'd like to get the attention of someone on the waitstaff, saying "excuse me" is a great way to do this.

Open your menu so you can know and see what you are ordering. It does not matter if you decide to close your menu before ordering or leave the menu open before ordering.

Tell the members of your party that you must use the facilities, then proceed to the restrooms. If you need help locating them, ask a member of the restaurant staff.

Pick it up and set it aside. When your server comes by, explain that it fell on the floor and request a new one.

No, not at all. It shows that you enjoyed the meal. When you are done, though, make sure to place your knife and fork neatly on your plate, which is a common signal to show you’re done with your food.

Here are foods you can eat with your fingers and stay well-mannered: Burgers, sandwiches, fries, apples, carrot sticks, celery sticks, corn cobs and baked goods. There are many others but it also depends on your culture, the formality of the occasion and the food the restaurant in question is serving.

Just sneeze into the inner crook of the your sleeve elbow or into a paper napkin. If phlegm gets onto your sleeve or onto your face, excuse yourself politely to clean up in the bathroom before returning to your table.

When your waiter/waitress comes around, politely ask them for a spoon/spork and thank them when they bring it to you.