The 5 Things You Should Never, Ever Say to a Waiter

When you say you have a food allergy, restaurants follow a strict, time-consuming protocol with the kitchen and management to make sure you don’t get sick. So if you’re just avoiding gluten as a preference, don’t say you’re allergic to it in an attempt to get better service. If your server later sees you trying a bite of your best friend’s tiramisu at dessert, she’ll feel like you wasted her (and the entire kitchen staff’s) time.

If you’re planning to order only drinks and appetizers, let your server know before she seats you—especially if there’s a wait. It’s perfectly fine to eat light when you’re sitting at the bar or in the lounge, but it’s impolite to spend an hour sipping drinks at your table when there’s a line around the block.

When you’re dining at an upscale restaurant, you might not be able to order the same dishes as you would at your local takeout spot. Even if the menu doesn’t feature your usual spring rolls, white rice and General Tso’s chicken, the server may be able to suggest something similar you might like. Live on the edge, people—try something new.

Yep, the quesadilla that six-year-old boy is chowing down on at the table next to you is half the price of the one on the main menu. But that doesn’t entitle you to order from the kids’ menu, unless you magically give birth in the next 20 minutes.

Even if you’re a professional career coach, your server wants to bring you your meal quickly and efficiently—not tell you how she’s really an aspiring actress just trying to pay the bills until her one-woman show is produced. Unless she offers up personal info, just smile and politely give her your order, OK?