For starters, dont seat yourself.
No one wants to be the problematic customer in a restaurant.
But you might become that person without even realizing it.
Getty Images / Thomas Barwick
Sometimes the things we think are helpfullike stacking plates or making small talk with your serveractually arent.
Were sure you mean well, but you could be making life harder for the restaurant staff.
Below is a list of 10 seemingly harmless behaviors that are actually rude.
You find your own seat.
You spot an empty table at a restaurant that doesnt take reservations.
The host is busy seating another party, so you grab a couple of menus and take a seat.
You ignore the specials.
Hear us outthe kitchen staff have come up with something delicious (and possibly unique) for todays menu.
Your waiter has memorized whats available.
Dont interrupt when they launch into todays list.
If you listen up, you may find that theres a dish to pique your interest.
You chat up your server.
Its always a good move to follow your servers lead when it comes to making small talk.
Even if the restaurant doesnt look busy to you, your server may have other things to do.
You order from someone else.
Youre ready to order, but your server is out of sight.
Waving over a different server and ordering from them could seriously complicate things.
If you really dont see your waiter anywhere, just ask another server to flag them down for you.
Youll cut down on your wait time and avoid pointless confusion entirely.
You help unload the servers full tray.
Be patient and let the expert do the serving.
You make a run at clean up your own mess.
Weve all been there.
Youre sharing a story with friends, and you end up knocking over a drink in your excitement.
The last thing anyone wants is you cutting your hand in an attempt to be helpful.
They have all the cleaning supplies they need to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
You help yourself to a refill.
Your glass is low, so you help yourself to the pitcher of tea a few steps away.
Instead, just wave over your server and ask for a refill.
Its always better to voice your concerns rather than give a shot to fix them yourself.
You stack your dishes.
Youve finished your meal, so you pile up your empty dishes in a neator not so neatstack.
Instead, just leave them where they are and let your server stack everything up when theyre ready.
You wait until the end of the meal to split your check.
You back up your complaints for Yelp.
