Top five dos and don’ts at your Christmas do

With the festive season upon us it is important to know the dos and don’ts when it comes to restaurant manners.

Often customers and servers alike forget what the real meaning of the season is. This is a time to celebrate with friends, family and co-workers.

Follow these five simply tips to ensure an awesome Christmas do:

• Always tip your server well, the average tip percentage in South Africa is 10 per cent of the bill total. When you attend any Christmas or festive

events ensure that you budget in the tip as often the tip is a sizable amount. Your waiters and waitresses have to tip other workers in the restaurant such as runners, kitchen staff and barman. Remember the tips you give is how they make their living. Remember there is a big difference between a server and a servant.

• Be ready to place your order. There is nothing more frustrating for a server to have to stand at a big table waiting for the orders – let alone serve the rest of a busy restaurant. If you require a few more minutes to decide on your order, inform the server.
• Don’t over stay your welcome. We all know with the festive parties coming up the spirit of celebration is in us all. This does not however

mean you need to linger at your table for hours. Remember that the establishment needs to turn tables in order to make a profit. Late hours affect

the server and restaurant too.

• Stay away from the cellphone. There is nothing more difficult than to serve a customer that is talking on the phone for the entire evening. Not only is it impolite to the other guests at the table but to the guests around you.
• Finally control your alcohol consumption. Having a couple drinks is acceptable to get the blood pumping and to keep the cheeks rosy. It

is an awful experience to serve drunken guests as it tarnishes the establishments’ reputation and makes the other guests feel uncomfortable. This includes falling asleep at a table, vulgar and loud language, and especially, the end result of excessive drinking – vomiting. Hire a taxi if you have had one too many.

Other than that try enjoy yourself and your experience as much as possible. It took a whole team of workers to create the overall experience you expect at decent restaurants.