Restaurant Rules
Project Skills:
Communicating, considering
others’ feelings
Life Skills: Communication,
Concern for others, social skills
Academic Standards
HE.B.3.3#1, #5:
Grade Level(s): 6-8
Time: 60 minutes
Supplies Needed:
 Restaurant Rules Handout
 Ball
 Slips of paper with
restaurant rules written on
them
 Copies of Math Tip Sheet
 Pencils
 Calculators
Optional Activities:
 Copies of napkin folding
instructions
 Napkins
 Supplies for making
napkin rings
 Selection on foods for
finger food buffet
Advance Preparation:
 Copy of Restaurant Rules
cut into strips
INTRODUCTION
It is always a nice treat to eat out at a restaurant. You can tell
a lot about a person by the way they behave while dining out
or by how they treat restaurant staff. You should use the same
table manners in a restaurant as you do at home, but a few
extra rules apply. When you arrive at a nice restaurant, a
hostess or maitre d’ (headwaiter) will lead you to a table. You
should follow closely behind the hostess while being attentive.
The wait staff is in charge of the items on the table, so it is
good manners to leave the place settings, candles, or
centerpiece alone. The waiter or waitress will move anything
you don’t need.
WHAT TO DO
Restaurant Rule Ball Toss- Have youth stand in circle. Give
each a restaurant rule. Throw a ball and who ever catches the
ball is to read their rule out loud and then discuss.
You can tell a lot about a person by the way they behave while
dining out or by how they treat restaurant staff. You should
use the same table manners in a restaurant as you do at home,
but a few extra rules apply:
 Read the menu-if you’re not sure what something is,
ask the waiter or a parent. Try not to order the most
expensive time on the menu.
 If the waiter comes to take your order, but you’re not
ready, just say “Could I have a few more minutes to
decide, please?”
 When it is your turn to speak the waiter will look at
you, make eye contact with him or her and speak
clearly.
 If you need something from the waiter, just try to catch
their eye, or give them a gentle wave. Never snap your
fingers.
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Remember that food is served from the left and removed from the right.
A lady should place her purse in her lap or between her back and the back of the chair –
never on the table or on the floor.
Don’t talk too loudly while in a restaurant.
Don’t forget to leave a tip – even if you ate at a buffet style restaurant.
If you are on a date or a job interview, you may not want to order food that is tricky or messy
to eat (such as spaghetti, sushi, or tacos).
Always say thank you when served something.
Eat slowly, don’t gobble up the food
When eating rolls, break off a piece of bread before buttering.
Always use napkin to dab your mouth.
Tipping Technique- Legend has it, the word “tip” came years ago from a pub owner who used the
acronym on a box “To Insure Promptness.” In that spirit, tipping should be thought of first and
foremost as a reward for prompt and attentive service.
For waiters, you should plan to tip them 15-20% of the total bill. If the service was especially good,
you could tip 25%. If possible, avoid asking for change when you are tipping. Some restaurants will
automatically add a 15% tip to groups of 6 or more people (this is called gratuity). Have youth
complete the Math Tip Worksheet in groups. Provide pencils and calculators
If you have the capability of using Turning Point, administer the Table Manners Quiz for a nice
review and evaluation of your program.
TALK IT OVER
Sharing What was the hardest part of this activity?
 What ways can you think of to help you remember good manners while eating in a
restaurant?
Processing:
 How can knowing how to act around others make you more comfortable? How can it make
others more comfortable?
Generalizing Why does how you eat affect what people think of you?
 How do you think manners will help you in the future?
Applying How can good restaurant manners help you now and when you get older?
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What types of situations in life require you to demonstrate good manners?
ENHANCEMENT IDEAS
Napkin Notes- Place the napkin on your lap. Large napkins should be folded in half lengthwise. Your
napkin remains on your lap throughout the entire meal. If you leave the table during a dinner, place
your napkin on your chair to signal to the server that you will be returning. When you are finished
dining, place your napkin neatly on the table to the rift side of the plate. Do not refold the napkin,
but don’t leave it crimpled up either.
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Have youth practice fancy napkin folding. You can print out instructions for many types of
fancy napkin folds at www.napkinfoldingguide.com. Make copies of napkin fold instructions,
and have several cloth or thick paper napkins available for youth to practice on.
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Another fun activity is to make napkin rings. This is an inexpensive craft. Save cardboard
rolls from wrapping paper or paper towels and cut into 1 ½ inch sections. Provide ribbon,
raffia, or even fabric scraps for youth to use to cover the cardboard. They can use fabric glue
or low-temp hot glue to attach the fabric or ribbon to the card board ring. Once the ring is
covered, they can embellish it with silk flowers, shells, jewels, or other items.
Eating with Chopsticks- introduce youth to the art of eating with chopsticks. Make copies of the
Eating with Chopsticks instruction page, and then have youth practice using chopsticks to eat pieces
of fresh fruit or raw veggies with dip.
Finger Food Fun- Have a finger food buffet! Place a variety of foods on a table (or use pictures of
foods) and ask youth to guess which foods are acceptable to eat with your fingers and which foods
need to be eaten with a utensil. Here’s a list of foods that are acceptable to eat with your fingers:
 Asparagus (unless served with a
 Chips
sauce)
 Grapes
 Bacon
 Hors d’ Oeuvres
 Bread (tear off one bite at a
 French fries
time)
 Sandwiches
 Cookies
 Shrimp (with tail still on)
 Corn on the cob
 Strawberries
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