As restaurants open and reopen worldwide, safe restaurant dining etiquette has shifted to a focus to make sure we all continue to be safe. These guidelines may not sound like etiquette, yet etiquette is all about the way we make people feel. These days it is about feeling safe from airborne viruses.

Here are 8 tips to safe restaurant dining:

Tip 1: Choose a safe restaurant that meets government guidelines

See all federal, state, and local restaurant guidelines here. When placing a reservation, ask about the precautions they take to keep staff and dining guests safe. If the restaurant isn’t doing enough, don’t dine there. Share your concerns with the owner nicely and ask them to make the added changes. After all, other guests who want to eat at this same restaurant will have the same interests.

Tip 2:  Keep hand sanitizer with you at all times.

These days sanitizers come in small packets that fit in a wallet or pocket, as well as small bottles for purses and other bags. Use the sanitizer first thing when arriving at the restaurant and upon leaving, plus when you return to the car before you start the engine.  It’s the best way to stay have safe restaurant dining etiquette for yourself and others.

Tip 3:  Wear a mask and cover yourself.

As the top safe restaurant dining etiquette, we should all know we must wear a mask. In the State of California, it’s the law. Some restaurants are asking diners not to enter without wearing a face cover. Have fun making specialty masks that compliment the restaurant’s décor or uniform. They can be fun and upbeat, in addition to being functional. If you don’t want to wear a mask or face cover, don’t dine out. Instead, do carry out. It is legal for a restaurant to refuse service to a person who isn’t wearing a face cover.

• Wear clothes that cover your exposed skin, arms, and legs. Even in hot weather, consider wearing a lightweight shawl or cool outer covering. For restaurants with a dress code, follow their guidelines as before.
• Wear sunglasses whenever you dine outdoors. If you wear glasses regularly, you’ve now got an automatic extra layer of protection.

Tip 4: Be grateful for temperature checks.

Any restaurant that goes to the effort of taking everyone’s temperature when they enter their restaurant (staff and guests alike) is a top choice for me. It shows how much they care about keeping everyone safe at all times.

Tip 5: Be willing to give out your contact info.

Now that restaurants require reservations, you’ll have to give a name and telephone number. Many restaurants also ask for an email address. They want to make sure they can confirm with you. Later, perhaps, they may want to send you an after-dining survey and future promotion. You can always unsubscribe.

Tip 6: Trust the restaurant.

If you are considering bringing forks and knives (plastic or otherwise), forget it. Part of any dining experience is enjoying all the restaurant has to offer, including clean and sanitized utensils. Nevertheless, there are other restaurant items to consider which include some of my top restaurant pet peeves, here.  Yet,  on an aside, we must also remember to follow the many time-honored table manners taught: no elbows on the table, no chewing with our mouths open, and no talking with our mouth full. Who knows what will fly out of your mouth?

Tip 7:  Safe restaurants only have one server per table.

To minimize contact among staff, ask that only one waiter be assigned to serve you at all times. If the restaurant uses bussing staff, ask the one waiter to hand them your dishes.

Tip 8:  When finished, it’s good dining etiquette not to linger and tip well.

Always tip waiters generously (average 18-20%) for excellent service. Now, with fewer tables to serve, they do not receive the same income they once earned. The restaurant isn’t generating the same revenues either. Thus, be sensitive to how long you stay at the restaurant. The less time you linger, the safer and better it will be for everyone.

Now, stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll be talking about what to expect from a restaurant to stay safe.

Happy Practicing!*

*For those new to this blog.  “Happy Practicing” is a phrase used at the end of all my communications as a reminder we can all have fun practicing etiquette, at all times for our entire life.