Prom-time Restaurant Ettiquette

For my own sanity it must be said. Dear Prom-goers: when going out to dinner before Prom, please remember:

1. Stay in your seat. You don't need to get up to go to the bathroom every 20 minutes! We all know you're just parading around trying to look pretty, do us all a favor and stay in your seat and out of your server's way.

2. You cannot get everything you want! Just because it's Prom does not mean you're entitled to complain about anything and everything that comes to mind. Servers are not synonymous with servant!

3. Remember what you order! The people who deliver your food to you are not necessarily your servers and cannot be expected to know what the heck they're taking you. You told your server you didn't want egg on your salad, not me. I'm just told where to take the salad, not what's on it. I'm also not psychic. Sadly.

4. Know how to tip! 15% People! Fifteen percent of the entire bill is considered a proper tip! We're doing our best to serve you, please try to be understanding. Don't withhold a tip because we got overwhelmed for a moment and forgot to bring your ketchup out before your entrees. Tips are not fun money for us, they're our paychecks. We have bills too!

5. Don't send anyone back and forth to your table requesting things one at a time. On the same note, don't overwhelm your server with 10 different requests all at the same time. Patience is a virtue, your servers most likely have other tables to take care of, and we're not miracle workers; we can only remember so much at one time. Also, try to avoid asking for things from people who are not your server. Your server (you only get one!) will introduce himself before the meal. He, and only he, is responsible for you. Not the next table's server, not the food-runners, not the managers.

6. Don't make out with your date at the table! Eww! We don't want to see that! And don't announce to the entire restaurant that you're going to the limo to have sex! We, all other guests included, definitely do NOT WANT TO KNOW! Your friends may cheer you on, but secretly they feel the same. TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!!! WRONG! DISGUSTING!