Restaurant Seating Etiquette

Seating etiquette in a restaurant is just as important as dining etiquette. Restaurants are the settings for meetings with clients, dates and meals with loved ones. The more familiar you are with restaurant seating etiquette, the more likely you are to make a positive impression.

Instructions

Wait for instructions on where to sit. The host will either lead you to a table or inform you that you can sit where you like.

Man Follows

When dining with a female, it is proper etiquette for the woman to follow the host while the man follows her. When leaving the table, the male also should follow the female.

Lady's Choice

When approaching the table with a male dining companion, the woman should choose where she wants to sit. When dining with other women, it is anyone's choice.

Assistance With Chair

The male dining companion should pull out the chair for the female when she is getting ready to sit down. As she sits and moves closer to the table, the male should help her push the chair in.

Leaving the Table

When getting up from the table, check to see how much distance you have from the person behind you. Push back the chair carefully as you stand up to avoid hitting anyone.

References

• tomatokumato.com - "Restaurant Etiquette"
• iup.edu - "Dining Etiquette"