Below are Dev's answers to questions about dining out at restaurants. Have your own question? Ask Dev for advice!
WOULD YOU LIKE CHANGE BACK?
Hey Dev,
Is it rude for a server to ask a guest if they need change, or should they just assume that change is required everytime? - Jessica Dear Jessica,
Many diners take offense when asked if they'd like change back. They assume that the server is asking for a tip, and consequency may leave less of a gratuity than they would have otherwise. A server's best response is, "I'll be right back with your change." - Dev
DINING ROOM BECOMES A PLAY ROOM
Hey Dev,
Last night we ate at a restaurant where two kids ran rampant. Despite nasty stares from other diners, the parents didn't seem concerned about their unruly kids running, yelling, and even playing hide-and-seek under some of the occupied tables! Surprisingly, even though the restaurant is a pricy one, staff ignored the situation. What should I have done? - Peeved
Dear Peeved,
There's a special place in hell (where the thermostat is set on extra high) for inconsiderate parents who allow their little demons to use the dining room as a substitute play room. All too often, attempts to enforce social norms (such as glances of disapproval) aren't effective against such clods. The responsibility of dealing with these matters ultimately lies with management. Since nothing was done, you could have spoken with the manager or server. And if that didn't work, then it would have been best to tell the restaurant that you're going to take your business elsewhere. - Dev
WHAT TO WEAR AT RESTAURANT
Hey Dev,
I'm a casual guy, but my girlfriend is always getting on my case about not dressing up when we go out to a restaurant. Could you please get her off my back? - Jorge Dear Jorge,
It depends on where you're dining. If I'm sitting at a tiki bar on the beach slurping raw oysters and drinking cold beer, you'll catch me wearing nothing but faded shorts and a DinnersFromHell.com t-shirt. However, when I'm attending the Beelzebub Ball, for example, old Dev is looking dapper and acts like a dandy. The point is, one should dress for the setting, as well as for the occasion. - Dev
MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN
Hey Dev,
There's nothing I hate worse than spending my hard-earned money at a restaurant I've never been to before, then end up feeling I've wasted it with bad food and poor service. Should I just stick to restaurants that I know from experience are consistently good? - C. Dear C.,
I sympathize with you since I've been to my share of hellish restaurants. But if you don't take a gamble, then you'll never hit the jackpot and discover a hidden gem. To increase the odds of experiencing a dinner from heaven, ask your friends if they've ever been to a restaurant that you were wondering about. And don't forget to use our restaurant review and dining blog resources! - Dev
POOR TIPPER
Hey Dev,
My boyfriend is a tightwad. He insists on paying 12% for a tip, regardless of the quality of service. What amount do you think is sufficient? - Jen Dear Jen,
Servers have a tough job. They have to keep up with constant demands from multiple tables, deal with the kitchen, bite their tongues with rude customers, contend with poor base pay, and somehow show an upbeat attitude. For exceptional service, 20%+ is called for; decent service 15-20%. On the other hand, subpar service and a bad attitude shouldn't be rewarded either; such cases would warrant a tip less than 15% (sometimes much less). A patron shouldn't have to pay to have a bad time thanks to a server needing an attitude adjustment. Nor should a server be penalized for circumstances beyond his or her control, such as a slow kitchen or poor food quality. Tell your boyfriend that if he continues to pay 12% for decent service, then he's going to end up being served by Hell's minions - well done! - Dev
STEAK PREPARATION
Hey Dev,
I like my steak prepared medium-well. All too often, however, I receive it overcooked and dry. I hate to go through the trouble of ordering it undercooked and rare. What do you suggest? - Chad Dear Chad,
Where I live, everything is on the crispy side, if you know what I mean. Personally, I'm a lacto-ovo-pollo-pesco-wacko, but I can tell you what the Mrs. does. She asks for the server's advice and orders the steak accordingly. - Dev
WHAT FORK TO USE?
Hey Dev,
My partner and I have a disagreement and a bet riding on the outcome. He says etiquette dictates that the fork closest to the plate is the one to use first; I think it's the one farthest out. What say you? - Jack. Dear Jack,
You win the bet. Even in Hell, etiquette dictates that you work from the outside in towards the plate; the fork farthest away is the one to use first. I hope that you had a dinner riding on the bet. And if it happens to turn into a disaster, send us the story so we can publish it on the Dinner Stories page! - Dev
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