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It should be fun, but it seems as going to a restaurant can be quite an ordeal. Depending on how nice of a restaurant it is, the level of performance can vary significantly. There are many spoken and unspoken rules that apply to even to the most average diner. Have no fear, Premium How To Guides is here to clarify some of the most important rules and regulations. That way, next time you dine out, you will be a sophisticated and well mannered patron, even if you are anything but.

If you plan on doing some fine dining, you might want to make reservations, especially if it’s somewhere swanky, and it’s a weekend night. This will minimize your wait time, ensure a table, and make you look like an organized person. If you have made reservations for a large party and are the first to arrive, then you should take the host seat so that you may wait at the table. It also important that you actually keep the reservations you make. You should not be more than fifteen minutes late without calling the restaurant to notify them of your tardiness. If you need to cancel your reservations, that’s fine as long as you call. It’s best to call a few hours ahead, but if you get stood up last minute, either call your mother, or cancel the reservation. It’s rude to just not show up at all.

The issue of sending food back can be a touchy subject. Some people feel very uncomfortable sending food back because they do not want to cause a scene. Then there are those people who like to send food back for no other reason than to cause a scene. Or at least that is how it seems. If the order is clearly wrong, and it is the either the server’s or cooks’ fault, then the server will usually catch it and be extremely apologetic and bring you the correct meal. However, if your meal is not prepared exactly as you ordered it, then you should never feel bad saying something to your server, as long as you do so in a polite manner. In fact, if you are with a large group, it might be rude of you not to send it back, as your fellow diners may feel uncomfortable enjoying their meals knowing that you are dissatisfied.

In today’s society, everyone has their phone to their ear. In restaurants, it’s still not acceptable to be on the phone while dining. In fact, most servers will not even approach you until you put the phone down. You should automatically turn your phone off or on silent when you are in a restaurant. You should also put your phone away in your pocket or purse, and never have it on the table. It’s considered rude, because your eyes will inevitably wander to it instead of focusing on your dining partner. If you are expecting an urgent call then quietly step outside to take the call, but never while at the table.

Wine can also prove to be a hassle, especially if you’re like most people, and don’t fly to Napa Valley for weekend wine tastings. If you are having trouble selecting a wine, then simply point to a wine that is in your price range and ask for something similar to that one. If you are at a fine dining restaurant, then most likely your server has been properly trained to guide you through the menu, so trust their judgment. Also, even if you do not know very much about wine, you will be able to detect when it has gone bad. If this is the case, feel free to notify your server, who will likely be more than happy to compensate you. However, do not send wine back simply because you don’t like it. It’s rude and often times costly for the server and the restaurant.

Children in restaurants can go either way, depending on how your children behave. If your children are generally well mannered, then bring them along and use it as an opportunity to further teach them good manners, as well as praise them for their good etiquette. This will only ensure a well-mannered adult. You should still bring coloring books, crayons, and other activities to keep them occupied. However, if your children are usually not well behaved, please save everyone annoyance by leaving them with a babysitter until they can handle sitting still.

Tipping is another concern that always seems to be in question. You must remember that servers are only paid minimum wage and your tips are how they actually make money. The standard amount to tip is typically 15-20%, depending on the quality of the service. If it was exceptional, then let your server know by tipping extra. If the service was sub par, and then you may leave a scant tip, but make sure you let your server know how you felt, so that they do not think it was a mistake on your part.

***Picture Thanks to thomassovell***