100 Things diners shouldn't do

[SWGB]

Let's see if we can make it to 100. I'll start.

1. Snapping fingers - The waiter/waitress didn't tell you there name to be snapped at. Did it occur to you that perhaps they weren't ignoring you, but helping the other folks they was speaking to?

2. Cell phones - In the middle of anything that the waiter/waitress is doing if your cell phone rings, do not hold up your index finger and take the call.

3. Tipping - It's just the way it's done in America. If you want European style dining then go to Europe or prepare to pay a heck of a lot more and receive way worse service.

Have fun y'all.

[ameliaj]

4. If you are in a large party, attempt to combine requests of the waitstaff so that when they bring 1 extra salad dressing, another individual doesn't ask for some extra butter, thereby sending the poor server on a "one item relay". If they are only serving your table, no problem. But the poor 4-top right next to you hasn't seen a server all night.

[scooterbug44]

5. Eat the entire dish, then claim something was wrong with it and want it taken off the bill.

[DuneAHH]

6. Be insensitive to the service folks and fellow diners.

[fsuwonder]

7. If you have a large party and everyone sucks their drinks down and request immediate refills before the server has had a chance to put the last drink down, don't get mad at the server for your tummies grumbling.

[LuciferSam]

8. Order milk to drink. It's just wrong.

[jodiFL]

9.Ask the server what their favorite item on the menu is. Chances are they have eaten everything on the menu so many times that they would rather eat a Whopper.

[jodiFL]

10. Dont ask, when the check arrives, why there is an addition charge for a substitute item, when it is clearly stated on the menu the additional charges. Take time to read the menu...most servers are more than happy to give customers extra time to go over it.

[Lynnie]

11. Just plain rudeness! UGH Don't do it.

[grace]

linger at a table for hours on a weekend night when there is clearly a long wait.

[Will B]

13. Ask a server to split a huge check AFTER he / she has brought it to the table at the end of the meal. Do them a favor and ask before everybody orders.

[Desso]

Use a toothpick at the table.

[Desso]

In response to the comment of paying more and receiving worse service in Europe. It has not been my experience at all. Perhaps in the tourist traps of the big cities( Paris, London, Madrid), but in general I found the service to be better. I prefer to have my tip be included in the bill and and my meal to be priced perhaps a little higher so the wait staff can earn a living, decent wage. I wouldn't like my livelihood based on the whim of diners and the skewed ideas of the restaurant lobby. Which are the people who actually maintain this archaic, exploitive system. And yes I have waited tables (right here on 30A and elsewhere), but not one day longer than I had to.

[Tupelo Honey]

In response to the comment of paying more and receiving worse service in Europe. It has not been my experience at all. Perhaps in the tourist traps of the big cities( Paris, London, Madrid), but in general I found the service to be better. I prefer to have my tip be included in the bill and and my meal to be priced perhaps a little higher so the wait staff can earn a living, decent wage. I wouldn't like my livelihood based on the whim of diners and the skewed ideas of the restaurant lobby. Which are the people who actually maintain this archaic, exploitive system. And yes I have waited tables (right here on 30A and elsewhere), but not one day longer than I had to.

Well-said.

[Beach Runner]

#15? See http://www.sowal.com/bb/dining-food/...tml#post656611

[Beach Runner]

5. Eat the entire dish, then claim something was wrong with it and want it taken off the bill.

Helllllz to the Yeah! Right on, sistah!

[SWGB]

#16. Have the dish drastically changed and then complain that it doesn't taste right.

[jamnolfin]

Dont blow your nose at the table. Im always seeing thee old men get thru with their meals and pull out a reusable snot rag and start honking down. Gross

[jodiFL]

Dont blow your nose at the table. Im always seeing thee old men get thru with their meals and pull out a reusable snot rag and start honking down. Gross

ewww... and a first for me last night.. child with nose bleed and the parent asked the server to take away the bloody napkins. Do I look like I want to touch THAT? And then look totally offended when latex gloves were worn back to the table. Do you get offended when you see an EMT or cop put on gloves when possibly having to come in contact with gross fluids?( I mean at least they were kinda flesh colored ones.. not those purple ones,lol)

[DuneAHH]

ewww... and a first for me last night.. child with nose bleed and the parent asked the server to take away the bloody napkins. Do I look like I want to touch THAT? And then look totally offended when latex gloves were worn back to the table. Do you get offended when you see an EMT or cop put on gloves when possibly having to come in contact with gross fluids?( I mean at least they were kinda flesh colored ones.. not those purple ones,lol)

inexplicable...

[scooterbug44]

8. Order milk to drink. It's just wrong.

It all depends - I have been places where you get asked which kind of milk you want and get free refills. I personally think drinking Coke at meals is just wrong.

Though after I got a mini carton plopped on the table at Bud & Alleys, I figured out not to try and drink milk w/ meals out around here.

[scooterbug44]

ewww... and a first for me last night.. child with nose bleed and the parent asked the server to take away the bloody napkins. Do I look like I want to touch THAT? And then look totally offended when latex gloves were worn back to the table. Do you get offended when you see an EMT or cop put on gloves when possibly having to come in contact with gross fluids?( I mean at least they were kinda flesh colored ones.. not those purple ones,lol)

I am glad they put on gloves~! Screw those nasty rude people who questioned following BASIC precautions for dealing with BLOOD!

[SWGB]

It all depends - I have been places where you get asked which kind of milk you want and get free refills. I personally think drinking Coke at meals is just wrong.

Though after I got a mini carton plopped on the table at Bud & Alleys, I figured out not to try and drink milk w/ meals out around here.

Those cartons are ultra pasteurized and last for months. You could have probably asked your server to go to the kitchen and ask for some milk. I wouldn't trust a kitchen that doesn't have a basic ingredient like milk.

[DuneAHH]

I am glad they put on gloves~! Screw those nasty rude people who questioned following BASIC precautions for dealing with BLOOD!

ABSOLUTELY!
It's stunning that they would be offended by the gloves... in an eating establishment of all places.

[scooterbug44]

Those cartons are ultra pasteurized and last for months. You could have probably asked your server to go to the kitchen and ask for some milk. I wouldn't trust a kitchen that doesn't have a basic ingredient like milk.

I wasn't worried about the freshness, more the fact that I got a carton. Guess I thought for $30 an entree they could have actually put it in a glass.

[DuneAHH]

I wasn't worried about the freshness, more the fact that I got a carton. Guess I thought for $30 an entree they could have actually put it in a glass.

I get where you're coming from... it grosses me out to drink from cartons, plastic cups, etc. Were you at least provided a glass to pour the carton contents into?

[scooterbug44]

I think I had to ask for one. They did bring a straw though. Guess they thought I was ordering off the kiddie drinks menu or something.

[Susan Horn]

Milk allergy aside, I'm with you, SB, but I notice more and more people would rather drink whatever beverage from a single-serving factory-packaged container or single-use disposable cup. I think it is a germ-fear thing, though I haven't actually conducted a survey yet.

I say let our kids get dirty, eat more dirt etc., to build up a system that can handle germs, instead of sanitizing and sterilizing ourselves into hypersensitive weakness. I think there was actually a study done about kids eating dirt, or getting their hands dirty, and its correlation to overall healthiness. Dirty kids won.

Oops, veered recklessly off topic again. Sorry. Nuerotransmitters must be out of balance more than usual today.

[scooterbug44]

With the exception of raw chicken, fecal matter, and people spitting/hacking/sneezing/picking their nose, and blood that doesn't belong to anyone in my immediate gene pool, I don't really care that much about germs.

I've drunk out of many a hose, hand, natural body of water (how I've escaped Giardia is beyond me), street fountain, carton, someone else's drink etc.

Pretty ridiculous how germaphobic we are as a society, yet ignore the basics - Canoehead plans to take her kids into the backyard and rub them with dirt on a regular basis to combat all the "antibacterial" crap in our lives, but they will still be required to wash their hands before eating and after the restroom.

[Lynnie]

A friend traveled with me overseas and started freaking out, overusing hand sanitzer. Really over-using that stuff. He is now addicted to it and catches almost every common cold that the wind blows......as well as bronchial bacterium, too.

[Alicia Leonard]

With the exception of raw chicken, fecal matter, and people spitting/hacking/sneezing/picking their nose, and blood that doesn't belong to anyone in my immediate gene pool, I don't really care that much about germs.

I've drunk out of many a hose, hand, natural body of water (how I've escaped Giardia is beyond me), street fountain, carton, someone else's drink etc.

Pretty ridiculous how germaphobic we are as a society, yet ignore the basics - Canoehead plans to take her kids into the backyard and rub them with dirt on a regular basis to combat all the "antibacterial" crap in our lives, but they will still be required to wash their hands before eating and after the restroom.

Off topic, true story. I kept getting sick as small child. Family doctor asked my mom if she ever let me get dirty. Mom said no. Doc said let that child get dirty and eat some dirt while she is at it, she has no immunity and has not been able to build any with you wiping her down every 5 mins. Mom put me outside and let me get dirty and I got better.And don't get me started on the hand germalizer stuff. Bad stuff.

The gloves were correct and OSHA would approve even if the parents didn't. You don't get paid to handle blood.

[Susan Horn]

Off topic, true story. I kept getting sick as small child. Family doctor asked my mom if she ever let me get dirty. Mom said no. Doc said let that child get dirty and eat some dirt while she is at it, she has no immunity and has not been able to build any with you wiping her down every 5 mins. Mom put me outside and let me get dirty and I got better.And don't get me started on the hand germalizer stuff. Bad stuff.

The gloves were correct and OSHA would approve even if the parents didn't. You don't get paid to handle blood.

My pediatrician prescribed his patients to go barefoot year round for similar reasons. Especially kids who tended to be "sickly" or "frail". Easter Sunday was always so lovely -- precious tots and grammar schoolers all dressed up in bonnets, bows, and organza and lace, going to the altar to be blessed with dirty little bare feet!

Also a sight in the dead of winter to see them bundled up like the Michelin man, but no shoes or socks.

[Susan Horn]

What number are we on, 17?

17. Force your dining companions to boserve superstitious behaviors regarding salt or other condiments.

18. Go to a restaurant's opening night and expect the food to be fast or perfectly prepared and served.

19. Undertip or not tip at all because the food was bad.

20. Get drunk (or not) and embarrass your dining companions with rude treatment of wait staff. How many times have I wanted the earth to swallow me whole, from incapacitating embarrassment at how my dining companions spoke to servers. Otherwise civilized, nice, educated, intelligent, kind and compassionate folks for some reason seem to think it's okay to behave as if restaurant workers are subhuman.

[LuciferSam]

My milk comment was based on my own personal biases. I never drink milk anywhere except at home, and it's always a single quick chug straight from the jug while standing in front of the refrigerator. It tastes better to me that way, and the idea of using a glass for milk seems unthinkable, for no particular reason except force of habit. I happen to believe that everybody should have their own personal milk jug in their refrigerator, and especially in my refrigerator.

If restaurants would let me wander into their kitchen, the chance that I might drink their milk increases slightly, provided their milk: 1.) is sufficiently cold 2.)is in gallon jugs at least 75% full 3.)is no more than 3 days past the expiration date 4.) contains no visible foreign matter 5.) has a convenient easy to grip handle. The astute reader would rightly conclude that this particular practice actually contributes to the possibility of foreign matter in the in the cow juice (or goat juice as the case may be).

In addition to the above mentioned criteria, it would be desirable for a sink to be nearby if it should be necessary to spit out the above mentioned mammal secretions for any number of reasons. For example, there is nothing worse than the delicious taste of chocolate milk being ruined when you realize that it's really whole milk. Usually the coldness, fullness, and expiration date and foreign matter tests cover this situation, but you never know....

[DuneAHH]

Milk allergy aside, I'm with you, SB, but I notice more and more people would rather drink whatever beverage from a single-serving factory-packaged container or single-use disposable cup. I think it is a germ-fear thing, though I haven't actually conducted a survey yet.

I say let our kids get dirty, eat more dirt etc., to build up a system that can handle germs, instead of sanitizing and sterilizing ourselves into hypersensitive weakness. I think there was actually a study done about kids eating dirt, or getting their hands dirty, and its correlation to overall healthiness. Dirty kids won.

Oops, veered recklessly off topic again. Sorry. Nuerotransmitters must be out of balance more than usual today.

You may be off topic but I just have to chime in and TOTALLY agree with you Susan!
I'm proof... I grew up on a big farm running around barefooted and covered in all manner of disgusting-ness. On the rare times we got colds or flu... NO doctor visits... rarely even an aspirin. My parents' attitude was: power through, mind-over-matter, more dirt, chores & fresh air. My siblings and I are shockingly healthy to this day. My town cousins who were repeatedly wiped down, spritzed with sanitizers, and rushed to doctors were, and remain to this day, sickie folks prone to catching every little bug.

[LuciferSam]

You may be off topic but I just have to chime in and TOTALLY agree with you Susan!
I'm proof... I grew up on a big farm running around barefooted and covered in all manner of disgusting-ness. On the rare times we got colds or flu... NO doctor visits... rarely even an aspirin. My parents' attitude was: power through, mind-over-matter, more dirt, chores & fresh air. My siblings and I are shockingly healthy to this day. My town cousins who were repeatedly wiped down, spritzed with sanitizers, and rushed to doctors were, and remain to this day, sickie folks prone to catching every little bug.

George Carlin talks about swimming in the Hudson River back in the 40s. This was during the polio epidemic. Neither he nor his swimmer friends ever got polio, or as he puts it "WE WERE TEMPERED IN RAW $H**"

[DuneAHH]

George Carlin talks about swimming in the Hudson River back in the 40s. This was during the polio epidemic. Neither he nor his swimmer friends ever got polio, or as he puts it "WE WERE TEMPERED IN RAW $H**"

[HelenM]

It all depends - I have been places where you get asked which kind of milk you want and get free refills. I personally think drinking Coke at meals is just wrong.

Though after I got a mini carton plopped on the table at Bud & Alleys, I figured out not to try and drink milk w/ meals out around here.

That reminds me of an awesome little restaurant that used to be in Grayton called The Corner Cafe...they cooked all their fish on a small grill behind the restaurant and were definitely no frills. My parents had coffee after their meal and Mom asked for some plain milk and had a half-gallon container just plunked down in front of her. Like I said, it was a no frills place, but the food was great!

[HelenM]

I say let our kids get dirty, eat more dirt etc., to build up a system that can handle germs, instead of sanitizing and sterilizing ourselves into hypersensitive weakness. I think there was actually a study done about kids eating dirt, or getting their hands dirty, and its correlation to overall healthiness. Dirty kids won.

I totally agree with you! I've told the director at my son's daycare that I think it's a good thing when he comes home dirty and sweaty -- it means he's been out playing and being a kid!

[scooterbug44]

No frills place, I can handle it - carton at a place where the "napkins" are a roll of paper towels suits me fine. Slap on a tablecloth and adjust your prices upward and I'll want a pre-poured glass!

[jodiFL]

That reminds me of an awesome little restaurant that used to be in Grayton called The Corner Cafe...they cooked all their fish on a small grill behind the restaurant and were definitely no frills. My parents had coffee after their meal and Mom asked for some plain milk and had a half-gallon container just plunked down in front of her. Like I said, it was a no frills place, but the food was great!

That story doesnt surprise me at all. I worked there when it was still a small 1 story building (pre-Opal) and the sign by the door that said hours were dependent on surf conditions was really true. I have even seen them make people shuck their own oysters and get their own beer if they were really busy. An awesome bunch of guys and still one of the most enjoyable jobs I have ever had.

[Susan Horn]

We LOVED going in there! We could bring babies in diapers, barefoot, all of us sandy and salty from a day on the beach, wet bathing suits and all, and that was fine (not like these days where it's a dadgum fashion show just to walk out the front door--I stay home a lot).

The babies would race up and down the center aisle, having a ball. No big deal, customers and waiters alike just watched out for them, and seemed glad we were there. Seems like there were always a few mellow dogs around as well. Sometimes one of the guys would take a break from serving and sit at our table to visit a while. They had off-season down-home specials too, some weeknight or other -- like collards and peas, pork chops, corn bread...they filled the place up on those nights with locals, thrilled to have a place to gather and eat everyday food convivially, without having to cook it themselves!

[kit75]

People that take their straw wraper, roll it up, then take aim at something or someone. This should only be done at a shooting gallery. And some poor soul has to sweep up all the mess.

[LuciferSam]

People that take their straw wraper, roll it up, then take aim at something or someone. This should only be done at a shooting gallery. And some poor soul has to sweep up all the mess.

Yes, but straw paper worms are approved.[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX5NZAY6_BQ&feature=related"]YouTube- Squirmy[/nomedia]

[Beach Runner]

Hubby never uses straws -- he thinks they're not manly. Also he and our daughter have an aversion to wet paper products, i.e., the wrappers in which the straws are contained. They also cannot stand the paper straws at Ted's Montana Grill.

On the other hand, I love straws. And I like to make patterns with the straw wrappers. But I would never throw the wrappers on the floor.

I B OTAY with wait staff?

[ShallowsNole]

I once hung around with a guy who refused to use straws too. Isn't that crazy? They would rather put their lips on a glass that god only knows how many other people's lips have been on, fingers have touched, and possibly not cleaned very well than have it be said that they sucked on something.

This same guy also once asked me to stop smelling the silverware at the old truck stop in DeFuniak.

Maybe smelling the silverware is something diners shouldn't do, but I felt it was necessary....

[Beach Runner]

I once hung around with a guy who refused to use straws too. Isn't that crazy? They would rather put their lips on a glass that god only knows how many other people's lips have been on, fingers have touched, and possibly not cleaned very well than have it be said that they sucked on something.

This same guy also once asked me to stop smelling the silverware at the old truck stop in DeFuniak.

Maybe smelling the silverware is something diners shouldn't do, but I felt it was necessary....

[scooterbug44]

People that take their straw wraper, roll it up, then take aim at something or someone. This should only be done at a shooting gallery. And some poor soul has to sweep up all the mess.

I love to do this, but then I throw the wrapper away.

[SWGB]

Just show the straw-phobes this one:

[richard grodzicki]

#100
don't EVER go to a restaurant where the wait staff thinks they are doing you a favor serving you.