Resign your miser ways and tip well. It is amazing how much
poor tipping seems to be a huge turn off with just about
everyone. For some reason on a date in particular it becomes
less of a reflection of the server’s service and more of a
statement toward the date itself. Don’t ask me why; I know
that the logic is flawed, but your best bet is to tip at least
20%. If the service really sucked, first, why did you take
your date there, and second, tip 15% at the lowest. This calls
attention not to the generosity of monetary means but to the
much more attractive generosity of spirit. Here’s a snazzy
tip, though, for avoiding the awkward paying for the bill
moment. Call or go the restaurant the day before and give them
your credit number and then instruct them to add twenty
percent to the bill for tip. The moment will be as smooth as
glass when you are all done eating and you two can waltz out
of there without a second thought. This is especially great
for women who want to treat a guy to a meal and don’t want to
deal with the post-dinner-fight-for-the-check-scenario. Above
all else thought he preplanning involved in this option will
impress and touch who ever it is that is lucky enough to
benefit.
We are now moving into some of the more obvious aspects of
dining in public, and that is minding your manners. “What am
I, eight?” you ask. Well you would be surprised how some of
those eight year old faux pas slip into our cultured adult
behavior. The first, and would argue the most important, would
be to chew with your mouth closed. Making your date lose their
appetite is going to be the last thing that will win you a
second date, so remember what your momma taught ya. This also
goes back to when we talked about ordering food you eat with a
fork, because then you have more control over the size of your
bites and the smaller they are the less likely you’ll be
caught with your mouth full. Oh, and you also have a napkin;
don’t be afraid to use it. Periodically, pick it up and run it
allow the outline of your mouth as insurance against steak
sauce taking more focus than what you are saying.
It seems that these next few are bit more difficult to
maintain into our later years for some reason. It would seem
that speaking softly would be natural in a date setting due to
its more intimate nature, yet some people have a predisposed
tendency to just talk loudly. Don’t. It will jar your date
into feeling like they are on display and giving a performance
for the rest of the restaurant, which will warp they’re
behavior and not be their genuine selves. Comfort and intimacy
are the ways to go, and a soothing conversational tone is the
way to achieve those things. Now don’t be cashmere to your
date and then bust out with this burlap mentality when the
waiter comes along. Of course, do not flirt with the server,
but be polite and patient. It will put your date at ease and
smooth over any bad service that you might be getting if you
handle it with decorum.
Just remember to enjoy yourself and to create an
environment that everyone else can enjoy themselves also.
Ultimately, that means just going with the flow and not
getting hung up on little things. The funniest stories usually
come from the most awkward moments. Bon Appetite!