Do's And Don'ts of Eating Out (Part 2)

WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN EATING OUT


1. Taking too long to decide what to order : Ahhh..the menu. The first thing that we all get when stepping into a restaurant. Now I know a lot of people gets intimidated when facing a menu, especially one that's almost as thick as a novel.  Too many options, too many choices, what to do, what to do??? Now, when in a situation like this, the sensible thing to do is to scan through the menu quickly to get a good idea of what are being offered. Also, this will give you a bearing of where the main sections are, such as the food section,  beverage section, dessert section and other sections , thus making your second reading much easier. The proper way to order your foods and drinks from the menu is to go in reverse. Yep, that's right. Start ordering the least significant items before moving to the main course.  Work your way backwards. For an example, try ordering your drinks, desserts or side dishes first, because these items take shorter time of consideration, so you should have an easier time deciding on them. Once you're one with that, you can spend more time to mull over your main course choices. Clever, ain't it?
 If you're really stumped, it's not a bad idea asking the waitperson for recommendations.


2. Bring and eat your own foods : In general, it's considered a big NO-NO to bring and eat your own food to whichever restaurant you're going to. Unless, of course, you're a parent, and the food are for your child. Kids and parents tend to be able to get away with most things, it seems. And, if you must eat your own foods, do ask for prior permission from the staff, and try to be at least discreet about it ok.


3. Be obnoxious, too critical/ demanding:  Admit it, some of us do get a bit critical or demanding when eating in a restaurant. The rice has to be just warm enough. The fish head curry is too spicy, the juice is too sweet. If you must make a demand, please do so in a courteous manner. No need to shout or give your blackest face to the waitperson. And, unless it's major screw-up, try not to demand to see the manager. No need for such theatrics....Aside from ruining your meals, you also don't want to piss off the restaurant staff. Trust me, all that horror stories you've heard or read about restaurant staff spitting, peeing and doing other unimaginable things to your meals, at least 90% of them are TRUE. I've personally worked in no less than five restaurants, plus a short stint in a hotel bar, and so I can vouch for that...The things that some of them do, *HORRORS OF HORROR!!!*. However, if your demand is reasonable, like the food isn't cooked properly, which can sometimes happen to red or white meat, or you find foreign objects in it, then by all means do ask for replacement. BUT, having said that, don't eat like half of it and then only ask for a replacement.


4. Make loud noises : It's really simple..people who are loud in public tend to give the impressions of bad upbringing and poor manners. You really don't want to be perceived as such and give your parents a bad name, do you? How many times have you seen a group of people in restaurants talking and laughing loudly, acting as if the place is their own home? How many have seen someone talking too loudly on their handphones, almost shouting even? Scolding their kids, clearing their throats loudly, etc etc. A bit of noises are tolerable, but ry not to overdo it ok. Think of other people who have to endure your hyena-like laughs, or even worse, your half-laughing-half-snorting. Burping and slurping are not OK too. I've seen a women who laugh so loudly and in such an intense manner that she was banging the table and rocking back and forth in her seat. I thought she was having a seizure or something. And I was unfortunate enough to be sitting behind her. The temptation to yank on her long hair was so great that I've to dig my fingers really deep into the table cloth. Thank God I am a quite patient person, or the newspapers the next day would have something interesting to read.  Talking about spoiling the appetite. In short, try to be more considerate to other patrons of the restaurants.


5.  Issues with tissues :  This is a pet peeve of mine. Try not to leave your snot-covered tissues on the table, or worse, on your plate or bowl...That's just poor hygiene people! What I always do is to take whatever tissues I used along with me and dispose them in a trash bin somewhere. Spare a thought for the poor fella that have to clear your table afterwards.