Yelp released its first-ever etiquette guide for do’s and don’ts related to dining out.
After surveying Yelp users who have completed restaurant reviews in the past, Yelp consulted etiquette expert Myka Meier on some of the most debatable table manners in today’s world — including who pays the bill and how people handle their phones.
One of the most popular debates surrounding dining at a restaurant concerned the proper amount of phone usage at the table.
Eighty percent of Yelp respondents said they believe phones should be put away while at the dinner table — specifically while on a date — while only 54% of those surveyed said they should be put away during family meals.
When it came to dining with friends, 50% said they put their phones away to enjoy the meal.
Putting the phone away at the dinner table was an agreed-upon sentiment by 80% of the Yelp users surveyed.
To remain in good graces in terms of etiquette, it’s recommended that diners who must have their phone on the table during a meal explain the reasoning to their companion.
Another question asked of the Yelp respondents was about which person on a date should pay the bill.
Sixty-eight percent of people thought the person who initiated the date should pay for the occasion.
Yelp found that 68% of people thought the person who initiated the date should pick up the check.
Being timely to a restaurant reservation was also brought up as a sign of proper etiquette.
Seventy-six percent of survey participants said it’s unacceptable to run late by 10 minutes or more to a sit-down restaurant appointment.
Opinions on the timeliness subject did change based on gender, age and geographical location, however.
More men from the study than women found any amount of tardiness to be unacceptable.
Yelp also found that those 25–34 years of age were more lenient about arriving on time.
With the rise in various locations such as coffee shops and fast-food spots asking for tips, Yelp asked the survey participants what percentage they typically tip.
At a sit-down restaurant, 65% of people said they tip the standard 20% of a bill, but almost 90% said they prefer to tip as much as they see fit, while also appreciating the advanced notice of any automatic tipping added to the final bill.
