Should we stack dishes for the waitress?

Question

I've always been told when eating out, don't stack the dishes, let the waitress stack them as she sees fit, or leave for busboy. My mother-in-law stacks them all in big piles to save the waitress trouble. Is that a better way?

Answer 1

With me it all depends on the service that I have received,and what type of place it was. A Denny's maybe not but fine restaurant then maybe i would.

Answer 2

I always try to help out. I will stack the dishes, pick up the straw wrappers, the dirty napkins, whatever and put them on the dishes. I will brush crumbs off, put the salt and pepper shakers back in their holder, etc. I used to be a waitress, so I know what it's like and I always leave a really good tip. You should see me when I stay at hotels.

Answer 3

It's considered bad table manners to stack your own dishes. You're supposed to put your knife and fork with the handles pointing towards you at the five o'clock place on your plate (just imagine your plate is a clock to figure out where) to signal you are finished eating. But who really does that anymore?

Answer 4

I always stack the dishes. I've been told its rude, but I see it as helpful.

Answer 5

No, do not stack dishes for waiter/waitress. It is very uncouth and improper. You can do it if you are at McDonald's but other then that, you will be considered a "hick" if you do it.

Answer 6

I used to be a waitress, and I loved it when the customers stacked dishes. First of all, it lets us know you are without a doubt done with your meal. Second, we don't have to reach over anyone to get a plate. Third, sometimes we're in a big hurry and we want to get your dishes but we have a million other things to do too. If they're stacked already, it takes two seconds to go over and get them.

Thank you for asking this question, and looking out for your waitress. :)

Answer 7

I was in the restaurant business for most of my life starting as a waitress.  Either is okay with the waitress.  The only thing is you go out to eat so that you can sit back and relax and not have to do those kind of things. I say let the waitress do her job.

Answer 8

Honestly, I stack them if I like my wait staff, if I don't I make them do it. I think it helps them.

Answer 9

Sure!

Answer 10

Stack them put all the silverware on the top dish.

Answer 11

I think that it is very nice to do! I pile everything up, and push it over to the far edge of the table for the server. I think anything a customer can do to help the staff is a kind gesture!

Answer 12

I always stack em, unless the waiter's an a*s. I got my husband doin' it too.

Answer 13

yeah, with everything they do, it helps them take weight off their shoulders (literally!)

Answer 14

the better the restaurant the less you should stack....for several reasons....1st  you dont want to show other diners you dont know how to behave and 2nd nicer places have oddly shaped dishes and your stack isnt likely to be the safest..(there are more but for here thats enuf)..fine dining servers are very good at thier job and dont need you to help in this way...the placing of the cutlery mentioned above is correct....in a denny's however i stack...those servers run their  butts off and its easy to make a safe stack for them to carry.....all the comments about poor service and getting back at the sever really irk me!! if you server is giving poor service 1st look around...are they overrun with tables and little support staff???give em a break...if they are truly just poor servers call the manager over and discuss it...dont ever forget the golden rule!! be nice to those who handle your food!!!!!