Have you ever experienced going to a fine dining restaurant and there are patrons in inappropriate attire (e.g. men in shorts or sneakers)?
We were in a very upmarket restaurant in a 5* hotel in Johannesburg to celebrate my husband’s birthday. While waiting for the lift to arrive another couple arrived to also take the lift, him in shorts and sneakers and she in ¾ cargo pants and a t-shirt, they were tourists and had just come back from a day out shopping.
They entered the lift with us and to my surprise dined at the same restaurant as us.
I later asked the Hostess whether they had a dress code and was told “yes, but people don’t adhere to it”.
When we were at the One & Only in Mauritius, there were notices in the rooms and bathrooms informing guests of the dress code for all restaurants at night. On our 2ndnight there, a couple arrived where he was dressed in shorts and was turned away as he was inappropriately dressed. This I thought was good as they were upholding the standard of the place.
This got me thinking…. Does money override etiquette?
Are we now so desperate that if one has money, nothing else matters or have people become so arrogant to believe that they could get away with anything because they have money?
What has happened to good old fashioned manners/etiquette/pride?
I enjoy dressing up for the occasion when I go out. Who doesn’t?
One needs not to be wealthy to do this. I believe that one that does not dress for the occasion shows disrespect for the host/hostess, and this goes for dining out or attending a dinner party at a friend.
Men – Shorts are not proper attire at night
Ladies – Flip flops are not accepted attire at night
I’m very interested in your comments on this topic….
I read this in a food magazine a while ago and thought it would be useful to include in this article.
ETIQUETTE DOs & DON’Ts
DO – Know what you are signing up for. Is this a formal place which emphasises on luxury and service or are we talking new fangled concepts of fine dining which require you to throw caution to the wind and sign up to an experimental experience?
DON’T – Put your phone on the table. While it may sometimes be unavoidable that you have to photograph your food (the chefs would prefer you didn’t though), try to be as discreet as possible and do not let it dominate the event.
DO – Make an effort. Just because it’s the twenty first century and everyone is relaxed about formalwear, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dress to the occasion. Read up on the restaurant, check out its online pictures to get an idea about what their “vibe” is.
DON’T – Order beer unless beer is very clearly a “thing” in the place you happen to be dining. Wine, cocktails and maybe spirits, are your friends for the evening.
DO – Unless you are planning to pick up the whole tab, let someone else order the wine, and pray they know what they are doing.
DON’T – Complain that your waiter is short changing you on the wine, it’s supposed to be filled to that height. Same goes for food portions: the point is to have at least three courses, so you want to stay light and not fill your belly with potatoes or bread.
DO – Ask questions. You are supposed to be enjoying yourself so if there’s anything you want to know, your server should be fully prepared to answer you in detail.
DON’T – Be stingy with your tip. Your server made a really big effort to make sure you had a great experience. A little more than 10% is always appreciated.
