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In the restaurant

You are going to the restaurant; did you ever think where this word came from?

Nikolai Covaliev in his book “Stories about simple things” gives the following explanation. Mr Boulanger a cook from Paris, made a kind of advertising – he posted up an invitation – to come to his place anyone who wanted “to restore” his health and stomach. Thus, “restoration” became “restauration”, the word that was used in Russia before the revolution, and later it had changed onto restaurant.

A lot of western customs are widely used today in different countries. That is why, it needs discussing – how to behave in the restaurant.

There are some general rules how to conduct yourself in the restaurant. They cover absolutely everything that refers to the restaurant.

If you plan to go to a proper restaurant you should make a reservation, as for some private or official ceremonies – the reservation is obligatory. Of course, it is very important not to come late. Following all the rules, if you are late more then 30 minutes, the waiter or administrator has the right to remove your order and offer the reserved table to other customers.

In a café you may wear casually, when you are going to the restaurant you would better put on formal wear. A man should wear a suit unless a tie (there are some cafes or restaurants where is forbidden to enter without a tie). A woman does not need to be clothed in an evening dress. In general, the style of the clothing must correspond to the level of a restaurant or a café; it should match with characteristics of the organized event.

So, you know the place to go and you have the purpose it may be - a dinner with a friend, a private ceremony with plenty of guests – the best thing to help is of course your own experience, it there is any, if not you may consult your friends, a restaurant guide book. An excellent, good restaurant or even a café is easy to identify according to the following:

-         at the entry the guests are greeted;

-         guests are offered seats;

-         the menu is given at once;

-         the waiter is well informed about the dishes and gives advise;

-         the beverages are served in proper time;

-         the ash tray is often changed;

-         after the bill is settled the customers are seen to the door;

One of the main rules – is a good and polite behavior in the restaurant. Benevolence and correctness are always obligatory while your conversation with guests and restaurant personnel. There may be some thing you will not like, do not argue, and do not cause a scandal. Be calm and in a moderate way advance remarks to the waiter or administrator. Remember, when you keep your wool on, when you are self-controlled, that can help you to resolve the problems better than being rude and scolding.

If a big group of people is going to come, the person who invited should come earlier and wait for all his invitees in the hall. Sometimes the guests gather near the bar, and later the maitre d’hotel shows the way to the ceremony hall. Usually the host follows maitre d’hotel, after him – older and superior ladies, and then older and superior men etc. The host or the maitre d’hotel offer the seats.

After all the guests are at the table, the waiter brings aperitif and the menu. In most restaurants the prices of the dishes are not indicated in the menu. But in general for such big gathering it is more reasonable to order the meal in good time. It is up to the host to show when the party comes to the end.

Good breeding and civility of a person show if he has good manners. When a man takes a woman to a restaurant, he must keep in mind some general rules:

-         A man enters first; he helps a woman to take off the coat in the checkroom. Cloakroom attendant helps to take off man’s coat. Bags, rucksacks are left in the checkroom as well;

-         A woman enters the restaurant following the administrator, behind them goes a man;

-         A man helps a woman to sit at the table, offering the most comfortable seat, where all the hall is seen. A man takes seat in front of the woman or the left of her.

-         If a man waits for a woman already setting at a table, the maitre d’hotel accompany her to the table. A man should stand up for greeting kissing her hand;

-         Usually this is a woman who orders the meal, but according to the modern principles – she may entrust a man with this task;

-         When you doubt about certain dishes be not afraid to ask waiter

-         Normally food and wine should be matched. For this you would better consult saumelier.

-         Not to disturb your neighbors – try to speak in a low voice;

-         When you meet an acquaintance in the restaurant – you may greet him nodding;

-         It is impolite to talk on the mobile telephone, when you are sitting in the restaurant

 

It is not accepted while taking some things from the other tables, e.g. an ashtray, a set with spices. Everything you need – you would better ask the waiter. When using toothpicks try for others not to notice.  Do not be surprised if you will be asked to pay in the dressing room that is why always have some cash.

Remember, that when you eat do not be in a hurry, be accurate. Knives and forks were made not to mock at you, but for you to make it easier the process of eating.