Dinner Date Etiquette?

Question

on a dinner date who should order first the man or the woman, I remember I read about this a while ago but I don't remember what it said. And is it usually customary to pull the seat out for the woman?

Answer 1

As a woman, I always appreciate having the chair held for me and the woman should be allowed to order first.  However, when I was dating, I always appreciated discussing what my date was ordering prior to placing our orders because then I could see the price of the dish he chose and chose something in the same price range for myself.

Answer 2

Well, Emily Post notwithstanding, I usually sit there like I lost my trachea in a freak post-hole digger accident when I was 7, and wait for him to order. Gives me an edge too, seeing what sort of one-up-man-ship we're going to be engaging in, price-wise and hoity-toity-wise. Oh, and by the time we're at dessert, I'm right there and I could frankly give a fig. I'm getting my Creme Brulee, come h**l or high water.

Oh, and about the pulling-out-the-seat routine, that's the waiter's job, for heaven's sake. We're paying him to take care of us. If he doesn't, I certainly don't want my date fooling around the vicinity of my behind until we've squared the check! (Oh, god, guys, I'm KIDDING! JEEZ!)

Answer 3

of course pull her seat out and open doors if u are in a car try to open her door for sure but dont sprint to the other side so that u can as for who orders first i think the man should always order first to give the girl a chance to no how much money u have

Answer 4

It is very gentlemanly of you to do the following:

Allow her order first (if you discuss what you're going to have beforehand, ask if you may order for her.)

Open her door for her

Pull out her chair for her (if the host escorting you to the table hasn't done so themselves. In that case, offer her the pulled out seat, then push it in for her instead having the host do it. The host should then help with your chair. I once heard a woman offer the view seat to her date. He said, "You take it, I'll have the better view by looking at you." That got instant coochie points!)

Do not start to eat until you both have received your meals

Should you excuse yourself to the bathroom, do not place the napkin in the seat of your chair. You don't want to wipe your mouth with a napkin that has been left on the seat. Fold it and place it next to you dinner setting.

Should a lady wish to be excused for the bathroom, it is polite for the gentlemen to stand up as she leaves the table, sit down again, and then stand once more when she returns. As outdated as this may seem, it should be done. Sadly, I only see older men doing this when all should.

If want to take it a step further (and have no problem with money), call ahead to the restaurant and ask for a mother-in-law menu for your guest. They are menu's without prices. It allows your guest to order comfortably.

Wearing a hat & using a cellphone while in a dining room is also quite improper. If someone offers to check your hat, they're giving you a subtle hint to take it off.

If you're going to the type of place that has decorative plates already on the table... DO NOT eat your bread on them!!!

They are table chargers or trivets. They are not washed on the regular and are not meant to be eaten off of. They are there for decoration only.

Answer 5

I agree with the previous two answers... let her order first, and definitely pull her chair out for her. Also make sure you always open doors for her and let her walk in first. Don't make it awkward though.

Answer 6

Pulling out the seat is very nice. Sometimes though the restaurant might beat you to that. (And you really can't pull out the seat if it's booth :) )

Always let the woman order first. I myself, I don't like people to order for me.  Well there is no problem doing it, it's just my preference.  I just think it's outdated.

With the bathroom as well, as another poster suggested to stand when the woman left to go to the bathroom.  I personally think that is very old-fashioned and very high-class. I'm very modern and I personally think it's outdated and I would be uncomfortable if my date did that.

So, just try and read your date. If you think she would like it, I would say do those things for sure! Just wanted to give you another angle on it.

Have fun and enjoy the date! :)

Answer 7

let the lady go first because a its makes a women feel inferior to her rights.

Answer 8

Let the woman order first unless you are ordering for both.  And for Goodness sake, pulol her chair out for her.