Why is it considered rude to ask for salt and pepper at a restaurant?

Question

is this really just an American habit? My husband is from a different country and he says that only we(here in America) request salt and pepper before even tasting the food at a restaurant and that this is very rude.

Answer 1

It's considered rude because when you haven't tasted the food yet, to presume you need salt/pepper says to the chef "hey, your food sucks".  Many people just apply extra seasonings without bothering to taste the food as it's meant.  

Imagine if you bought a painting from an artist without ever looking at it, and before you opened your eyes, you applied extra paint.   Same concept.

Answer 2

I dont consider this rude.

Answer 3

I wouldn't call it very rude to ask for salt and pepper since you might want one or the other and you'll have it if you need it.  However, you should also taste your food before automatically using them.

Answer 4

I think it's rude if the restaurant doesn't already have the salt and pepper on the table.

Answer 5

If your tasting a 'specialty' dish I would agree with you. But with the fare in most North American restaurants salt and pepper is almost a necessity. And lots of catsup too!

Answer 6

All of the restaurants I've been to have the salt and pepper right on the table. Also, sometimes even though you haven't tasted the dish that time, doesn't mean you didn't have it before. Some people order the same thing and know they want to add salt and pepper.

If the salt and pepper isn't on the table, it's not rude to ask for it. What is rude is HOW you ask for it! (ie: Give me that salt and pepper NOW! Or may I please have salt and pepper.) Same exact thing, just worded a lot differently.

Answer 7

umm thats not rude some ppl just like adding extrra salt in their food .,.. thats how i am .. lol

Answer 8

i dont think its rude because i mean is it rude to make your food more delicious??????

Answer 9

I don't think it is rude. It might be more rude to ask for it after you taste it becaus then you are trying to improve the dish after tasting it.

Answer 10

The title of this thread is somewhat misleading, because it leaves out the most important point -- asking BEFORE tasting the food.  Like some others have said, asking for salt and pepper before one even tastes the food implies you suspect the food is inadequately seasoned.  It is more polite (to the chef) and considerate (to the server) if one asks for condiments only after one has tasted the food and is certain the condiments are necessary.

It would be different if the salt and pepper shakers were simply missing from your table, i.e., they were present at all other tables.  On the other hand, if salt and pepper were not automatically provided at tables, this was a conscious decision on the part of the restaurant management.

IMO, tasting the food first and possibly having to wait for the server to bring salt and pepper is a small price to pay to be polite and considerate.  If you don't want to wait at all, you may ask, nicely, for the salt and pepper when you order drinks or your meal, by telling your server that you usually like your food with more salt and pepper than others do.  This serves two purposes.  First, you make it clear that the extra seasonings are needed because of what you like, and not because of any deficiency on the part of the chef.  Second, you save your server an extra trip.  He/she can bring the salt and pepper to you with your drinks/food.

Answer 11

I do not think it's rude besides isn't salt and pepper usually on the table already when you go to a resturant?

Answer 12

I don't think so...the salt and pepper are usually ON the table already.

Answer 13

Its also like that here in America at expensive steakhouses. If you ask to put anything on it (i.e. sauce, pepper), it is considered rude because it is of such high caliber meat that it would tarnish the taste that it was meant for.

Answer 14

Weird. I don't think it's rude, but maybe its an insult to the chef, because you are adding extra seasoning to the food they cooked you?

Answer 15

i dont consider it "rude"....please...