Restaurant Etiquette: 30 Rules to Follow When Dining Out

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Arrive on time

If you made a reservation, make sure you arrive on time, or call the restaurant and let them know you're running late (even if it's just a few minutes). Some restaurants have a policy of canceling reservations for tables that don't show up within 15 minutes of the reservation time. Be aware of this, and encourage anyone else you're dining with to be punctual as well. If you're the first person to arrive for a group reservation, the restaurant might not be able to seat you right away. This ensures that one of their tables doesn't get tied up if other people in your group arrive much later. The courteous thing to do is wait until most of your party has arrived before asking to be seated.