Dining out is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Yet some of us find ourselves intimidated in unfamiliar situations. To help you enjoy your special time to the fullest, I’ve laid out a few simple guidelines that I hope will help you cope with ease.

Table for One

Because of the boom in business travel, especially by women, single diners no longer feel that they must apologize for eating alone. Today, restaurants realize that one happy customer might just return with six or more. Call ahead to make reservations, letting the maitre d’ know you’ll be dining alone and want to be seated promptly at a booth or table against the wall. A good place for people watching, out of the flow of traffic. If reservations aren’t an option, a single diner might be pleasantly assertive, telling the host the type of table preferred. Most waitpeople do all they can to make single diners feel at home, so don’t hesitate to make light conversation. Now is the time to treat yourself to something different and special, such as crepes flambé or Caesar salad prepared at table-side. It’s not only fun for you and everyone around you, but someone will be pampering you with special attention. In a more casual restaurant, many business people report that reading a magazine or newspaper makes them feel more comfortable. Some casual restaurants have a community table where single diners are seated together for company and conversation. Check with the host to see if this is an option. When it’s time to pay the bill, most single diners prefer paying at their table. If the policy is to pay the cashier, most wait persons will let single diners pay at the table.

Hot Tips

Think of your tip as a way of showing appreciation for good service. The rule of thumb is to leave 15% of the total bill for average service and 20% for exceptional service. On the other hand, if you receive service with a snarl instead of a smile, leave a 10% tip. If you leave nothing at all the waitperson will assume you’re just ignorant and not get the point. On your way out, explain to the manager that the service was bad and you want your 10% to be pooled so that the remaining staff members won’t suffer because of one bad waitperson; this gives you a chance to be a nice guy and to register your complaint very effectively.

Sending it Back

There is an art to sending back food and wine that is not cooked to your specifications. The restaurant wants to know when something is not right. Never lose your temper. If there is something wrong, tell your waitperson right away, in a firm, calm, rational manner. Don’t eat or drink it then complain. In most cases the issue will be resolved right away. If you find you waitperson to be indifferent, ask for the manager or the owner and quietly make it clear you want a replacement. If you don’t happen to like your selection, just make the best of it. You can’t expect a restaurant to make up for your lack of judgment. You have a right to expect a good experience, so please don’t leave the restaurant with unspoken grievances. Relax and enjoy!