Why You Should Always Turn Down the First Table Offered at Restaurants – Insider Tips

You’ve been walking around for hours searching for a place to eat, and your stomach is now rumbling loudly. Finally, you spot a restaurant that seems just right: a classic but appealing menu, and a friendly-looking front. This cozy little bistro catches your eye. Luckily, it doesn’t seem too crowded yet. You enter and ask the server if there’s room for you. With a big smile, the server points you to a small table in the corner. It’s not necessarily the one you would have picked since there are several others available, but you’re too hungry to fuss about it. So, you accept without any objection. It might have been wiser to think it over a bit more… Let us explain why.

What’s your worst dining experience? When Laurent Mariotte asks broadcaster Sidonie Bonnec on Europe 1 about hers, she shares a story many of us have encountered at least once: “It was in a Parisian bistro,” she recounts. “I was seated next to the bathrooms. I didn’t find it graceful, but I didn’t dare to speak up… It was the worst moment of my life!” Hearing this, Laurent Mariotte reacts strongly: “Yes, you should always refuse the first table you’re offered at a restaurant!” he tells his listeners. “It might be convenient for the server, but it’s probably not the best spot for you.” This advice was imparted to him by the renowned food critic François Simon, who, after frequenting countless dining spots across France and beyond, has repeatedly validated this theory. Accepting the first table without question often means ending up in a less-than-ideal location!

Always take a moment to consider before accepting: is the suggested table next to the bathrooms? Is it in a thoroughfare or near the door? If there’s another table available that seems better, don’t hesitate to ask for it: from a business standpoint, the server is likely motivated to try to please you!