Want to ruin a perfectly good night out. Here's how.
“Can I have your cheapest bottle of wine?”
Yes, most of us are not walking sommeliers, but it sounds like you are cheap and a little off-putting in front of your friends or your date. Simply say “I’m looking for something on the lower end, or how is your house wine?” At least you'll be a bit smooth and won't look like a cheapskate.
“What's your favorite dish?”
Just because your server is bringing you your food does not mean that they have the same taste as you. Why trust their tastebuds when they might just like only burgers? A better way to make a decision is by asking, “What is the most popular dish on the menu?” Or “What do more people order between the fried chicken and the short rib?” This way you won’t be disappointed when they suggests the meatloaf that you didn’t want.
“What’s your phone number?”
Don’t make the entire meal uncomfortable by asking your waiter out before the meal is over. Just write your number on the receipt or leave your card (sometimes this isn't even okay). Play it cool, you know?
“I can't eat much—I've been sick puking for days.”
If you are sick, your poor waiter doesn’t need to know what happened to you last night in the bathroom and why you are only ordering soup. Keep the personal stuff to a minimum and just tell them your food allergies or dietary conditions for the evening.
“My food is terrible!”
Remember, a restaurant has a lot of moving parts. There are maître d's, line cooks, executive chefs, pastry chefs, waiters, reservationists, managers and more. If something is wrong with your dish don’t yell at the server. Let them know politely that they accidentally put the pistachios in your fish or that you think the chef overcooked the meat and ask if it would it be too much trouble to fix it. You can always over-apologize if you feel bad, but you are the one paying for your meal and experience, so if it’s not right, let them know in a nice way without an attitude. Chances are if you are nice, you’ll get the dish comped from your bill or a special dessert on the house.