Dining at a restaurant - etiquette?

Question

I get conflicting opinion on this

do you wait until all at table served or do you commence as soon as you receive your dish ?

Answer 1

I usually go w/ just my boyfriend anyways, so normally we always have the meal at the same time. It's only two plates to drop off, and I always like to tell whoever is dropping off the food thank you - so I guess you can say I wait.

However, if I was w/ a large group? If I received my meal first, I would start. I wouldn't want other people to wait for me! I personally think it's not modern and it's too old fashioned!

However, if it was a special occasion - like a holiday? Then I think it's best to wait.

Answer 2

Wait.  Dining out is a social event.

Answer 3

You begin when you receive your dish.

Answer 4

I learned in Home ec. That you wait for everyone to recieve their meal before you begin eating.if you start eating before it is considered rude.

Answer 5

This depends upon where you are from. I think in the U.S. we have a tendency to wait. (I think this is because this is what we were told by our moms)

I think when you are served you should begin to eat, the food is hot and let's face it in some restaurants you never know when the rest of the table will get their plates.  They should all be timed to arrive at approximately the same time but mix ups do happen.

So short answer--- eat when you are served.

Answer 6

wait

Answer 7

At a resturant you wait until all or servered OR until the person who is missing their plate tells you not to wait anymore.  That way, at the end of the meal (in theory and etiquette) no one is waiting around for one person to finish.

If you are at someones house, or you arent paying for your resturant meal... you do not pick up your fork or knife until the host/hostess picks up theirs.

Answer 8

good manners is to wait,but if i was waiting more than a minute or two.......................i would pass gas to sort of protest having to wait.