What dining habit annoys you the most?

A new survey has revealed the things that irritate people most when they're eating in a restaurant.

New research from online restaurant booking service Bookatable reveals the habits that really wind us up when it comes to eating out.

Nearly half (46%) of people said the most annoying thing they see people do in restaurants is snap their fingers to get a waiter’s attention. Around the same number again were more revolted by the sight of a fellow diner chewing with their mouth open.

Meanwhile, 40% of people have a problem with others using mobile phones to photograph their meal, while 22% are annoyed by public displays of affection, and 16% said it was a faux pas to use a toothpick while others were watching.

Frustrating guests

When eating out, you probably don’t want to hear children crying or misbehaving – over half (51%) of Brits said that this wound them up, while 49% got fed up with guests loudly celebrating a special occasion.

It's perfectly possible for restaurants to come under fire too, with 65% of people saying that they were offended by rude service from waiters.

British etiquette expert William Hanson says that the research makes it clear that people experience a number of frustrating behaviours when eating out with friends and family. "Traditional manners can still be relevant," he says. "A little thought for the neighbouring table can go a long way to ensuring everybody enjoys a nice meal.”

Modern rules of dining etiquette

Hanson (pictured left) has written up a list of new rules to follow when you’re eating out. Rule number one? If you want to call or text people then stay at home. “If you have to take a call then profusely apologise to your fellow diners and step away from the table to answer it.” Nearly eight in ten diners think that using a mobile phone in a restaurant is a display of extremely bad manners.

Nearly a third (28%) regularly update their social media profiles while eating in a restaurant – but that’s another no-no, says Hanson. “When posting to social media, do it in a very British way by playing it down. Post that you are in a swanky restaurant with a comment such as ‘Well, it’ll do’.”

If you are desperate to take a photo of your meal, take one shot quickly and put your phone away. You don’t need to post it to Instagram immediately. Table manners like chewing with your mouth closed, keeping your elbows off the table and not leaning over your food are also still relevant, says Hanson.

And if you know your children won’t cope with the experience, Hanson suggests that you leave them at home.

Do you agree with William Hanson’s etiquette recommendations? What do you think the most annoying dining habits are? Let us know in the Comments below.

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