

One is that it is polite not to interrupt the party at all until everyone is done eating. There are two theories on then removing the plates. It was least threatening for a waiter to be on the right.

The ancient theory here is that guests would carry their swords on their left side, so that the guest could always "face any danger" posed. The dishes should be served from each guest's right side. That means if a number of people ordered appetizers, they are all brought out together so that nobody is left "waiting for food" while others are eating. Once everything at that course level is ready, they should be brought out simultaneously. You can't blame a waiter for this - this is proper etiquette. That means if someone orders a dish that takes a long time, everyone will wait until it is ready. It is politeness to serve everybody at once.

It is up to you to choose what you want at whatever speed it takes you. They should bring you drinks quickly, and be available but not pushy in taking your order. If you keep playing with your food, how should the waitress know to come and remove that plate?įirst, the place should always be set when you sit down - that way the waiter / waitress does not need to bother you at all with moving around in front of you. As you can imagine, that can be a really rough thing to do! It is your duty as a patron to make it easy for the waiter / waitress to know when you are ready for another drink, when you are done with a plate. It's good to be aware of how these things happen.įirst, the primary duty of a waiter or waitress is to be helpful, invisible and always present. In a formal restaurant, there is a strict rule for how waiters and waitresses serve the food and then clear the tables.
