{"id":40286,"date":"2019-04-03T16:22:21","date_gmt":"2019-04-03T14:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/?p=40286"},"modified":"2019-04-03T16:22:21","modified_gmt":"2019-04-03T14:22:21","slug":"the-simple-guide-to-communicating-at-a-restaurant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhousebcn.com\/en\/the-simple-guide-to-communicating-at-a-restaurant\/","title":{"rendered":"The Simple Guide To Communicating At A Restaurant"},"content":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s the most challenging thing about going on holiday in an English speaking country? Twenty years ago you might have said \u2018asking for directions\u2019 or \u2018booking a room in a hotel\u2019, but nowadays, all that can be online – swipe, click, sorted!<\/p>\n

Sure, smartphone technology makes travelling so much easier, though it also limits our contact with locals. That said, there are still some situations in which you do need to communicate – eating out<\/strong><\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll need to find the right restaurant, book a table, navigate the menu and maybe even complain!<\/p>\n

Lucky for you, we\u2019ve prepared this super simple guide to make sure you have the perfect restaurant experience.<\/p>\n

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Do your research<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re on holiday in a foreign city, it\u2019s easy to fall into the tourist traps. These are shops, bars and restaurants, which are specially designed to attract visitors. Located near important tourist spots, these establishments usually represent bad value for money.<\/p>\n

The key to escaping the tourist traps<\/strong><\/em><\/span> is research! So, before you leave for your holiday, get online and do your \u2018homework\u2019. Go on websites like Tripadvisor<\/a> or local food blogs and see what the city has to offer.<\/p>\n

There you can search by area, budget, type of cuisine to find the perfect restaurant. To avoid any nasty surprises, remember to read some of the customer reviews. It also makes for some fun reading practice!<\/p>\n

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Make a reservation<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing worse than getting to your chosen restaurant only to discover that they don\u2019t have a table for you, or even that they\u2019re closed. That\u2019s why it\u2019s always best to make a reservation in advance.<\/p>\n

To do this you have various options. Unless the restaurant is very traditional, you should be able to find it on The Fork<\/a> (or El Tenedor<\/a> in Spanish). But, as a keen language learner, you want to make the most of the opportunity to actually speak to someone, right?!<\/p>\n

So, that leaves you with two other options, call the restaurant or pass by earlier in the day. If it\u2019s not too far out of the way, we suggest going there in person. That way you can check it out<\/strong><\/em><\/span> for yourself and verify the 5-star reviews!<\/p>\n

\"The
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Find your table<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Evening comes and you\u2019re on your way to the restaurant. If it\u2019s a particularly popular place, it\u2019s best to be on time. Arrive more than 30 minutes late and you may risk losing your table!<\/p>\n

The head waiter (also known as ma\u00eetre d’<\/strong><\/em><\/span>) greets you both and asks if you have a reservation. What do you say?<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Note that we tend to use the preposition \u2018under\u2019 when confirming our name or surname. Next, depending on the restaurant, you\u2019ll either be shown to your table or asked to wait in the bar area while they prepare your table. At this point, they might offer to take your coat and put it in the cloakroom<\/strong><\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n

As you are shown to your table, remember one thing: the customer is always right. If your table is next to the toilets or near a cold entrance, don\u2019t be scared to ask to change tables.<\/p>\n

\"The
\n\"The
\n <\/p>\n

Ask for recommendations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019re sat at the best table in the restaurant, now you need to think about what to order. Scan the menu and, if there are any words you don\u2019t understand, use your phone to translate them. Another chance to build your vocabulary!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re the kind of person who finds it hard to decide, maybe you can remember some dishes from the reviews you read. Better still, ask the waiter (or waitress) for a recommendation. Here are some ways to ask:<\/p>\n

Of course, if you have any allergies or intolerances, this is the time to tell staff. You want your meal to be unforgettable, but not because it caused you to spend the night in hospital!<\/p>\n

This diagram should give you all the terms you need to ensure you avoid any problems.<\/p>\n

\"Ask<\/p>\n

Place your order<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

OK, you\u2019ve decided what to have, let\u2019s make sure they understand your order. To avoid confusion, you should specify what you want for each course. Note that in English there are various ways to refer to the different courses.<\/p>\n

The very first dishes that are served may be called the \u2018starter\u2019, \u2018entr\u00e9e\u2019 or \u2018appetizer. Next, you have the \u2018first course\u2019, which could be something like a soup, salad or pasta dish. Then, on to the \u2018main course\u2019, which is often fish, meat or a vegetarian option. Finally, you have the \u2018dessert\u2019 or \u2018sweet\u2019, which in the UK is sometimes called \u2018pudding\u2019.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how your order might go:<\/p>\n

\"The
\n <\/p>\n

Make a complaint<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Think back to the last time you had to make a complaint in a restaurant. What was it about?<\/p>\n

Here are the top 10 most common restaurant complaints in the US, according to Consumer Reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n