The One Assumption You Should Never Make Walking Into A Restaurant

Restaurants

The One Assumption You Should Never Make Walking Into A Restaurant By Bobby Lewis Sept. 16, 2025 5:39 pm EST

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There can be tempting reasons to seat yourself at a restaurant, from taking the last available table to being the only customer in the dining room. But you should never seat yourself at a restaurant unless a sign or an employee explicitly tells you to. Just because tables appear available doesn't necessarily mean you can sit there.

Former restaurant server Neala Broderick told Tasting Table that seating parties at a restaurant is "actually an insanely meticulous process that takes as much precision as juggling." Customers without restaurant work experience may not understand that the restaurant has sections for each server, which th