love your ladylike laws posts :) 

I can't stand when people leave their cell volume on full blast! It's so rude. An ex taught me the "I'm done" signal years ago, works like a charm.

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-Lauren

These tips are good to know! I need to be reminded of this once in a while because it's easy to let things slip! I never really had a terrible dining experience but I had an ex boyfriend who never made eye contact with the waiter. I thought it was rude. Thanks for the tips!

These tips are so helpful. I hate it when cell phones ring during dinner. :)

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These are great tips Lauren! Thank you! 

I feel like most of these are common sense, but I was surprised by a few. I've worked as a waitress quite a bit in my past, so I've seen some atrocious manners. I don't care if you are dining at the fanciest restaurant in town or the pizza joint on the corner, having good dining manners is just good practice. It was always so frustrating to me as a waitress when people were on their cell phones the entire time. Why do you even go out to eat with your loved ones if you're going to spend the entire time on your phone? 

"Never butter your bread directly from the shared butter dish. It’s rude."

Um, why exactly? The rest I totally agree with, especially phone etiquette. 

I have the Emily Post 18th Edition Etiquette book as well... and it's definitely worth getting. Literally, it's bigger than a family Bible! lol.   I love all of these reminders; However, I still think I will hang my purse on the back of my chair, just b/c I don't like getting my purse dirty.  I never put it on the table, but putting it on the ground-- I only do that when every other option is exhausted, lol.  I will even try to put it behind me in my chair, before putting it on the ground.  The floor is so nasty & I hate to think that I might sit my purse down for a brief moment on a table if it's ever been on the ground. 

One of my worst dining experiences happen w/an ex co-worker.  She was SOOO RUDE!!   She was treating the wait staff so rudely.  Yelling at them, snapping her fingers & waving her fork in the air to get attention.  It was at a business breakfast.  I finally looked at her (in front of my boss who wasn't saying anything) and told her that her behavior was rude & unacceptable.  I also told her that it reflected poorly on our agency & I don't like being represented that way.  Needless to say, we're no longer friends... but who needs friends like that anyway?? 

What's your advice for when the check comes???

I'm a host at a restaurant and my husband is a waiter at a different restaurant...people can be so rude when there is a wait or when they see open tables. They don't realize that just because a table looks open and ready, does not mean there is a server for that section of the restaurant. My husband also makes HORRIBLE tips on average even though he gets great comments on the customer surveys that people fill out. I don't think people understand how to tip well. Working in a restaurant will really give you perspective on how to act when you're eating out.

Once when I was invited to eat dinner at a friends house, her Dad reached across someone's plate to grab a water pitcher by grabbing the rim with his hand. So basically he put his fingers in the pitcher and hauled it over to his side of the table. Additionally people that chew with their mouths open need to learn that no one wants to see that.

Great advice! Although I've heard that if you are getting up to go to the bathroom you should place your napkin on the chair to indicate to the staff that you will be returning.  Also, while you are eating soup and taking a break you should leave the spoon in the bowl. If you rest the spoon outside of the bowl it is an indication that you are done.

My ex would constantly shove food into his already stuffed mouth and then chew with his mouth open.  Then when he would finally swallow, he would belch loudly and long.  It was disgusting and be very embarrassing. 

Thank you so much for your advice Lauren.  This will definitely come in handy!

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Great post.....

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Great tips!  I think the WORST manners ever, even outside of dining, is when people text.  I don't mind someone occassionally looking at their phone, and I completely understand when it's urgent, but talk with the people you're WITH!  It seems like my friends barely even look up at me these days because they're so glued to their phones.