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Food Court Etiquette 101: How To Dine Fast, Share Space, And Be Considerate
Knowing how to behave at a food court is important. Being able to go from line to table and then on your way requires some common sense and self-awareness. In this article, we will review the most important food court etiquette rules you should know.
We will also explain a couple of unwritten rules that will separate the food-court savvy from the inexperienced. These are valuable rules to know, especially if you have never set foot in a food court before or are unaware of these practices. Here is our list:
Choose Your Meal Before Getting In Line
Food courts offer an array of delicious cuisines and dishes. Sometimes they can be very busy. For this reason, we recommend not getting in to line until you know where and what you want to eat.
Doing so keeps lines moving and prevents backlogs that could block off high-traffic areas or snake into eating areas where people are trying to enjoy their meals.
Have Your Payment Method Ready
Be sure to have your payment ready as soon as you place your order. We recommend getting your wallet out if you are behind the person currently placing their order and paying. This will keep the line moving swiftly.
Many food court kiosks prefer digital payments as it is typically quicker than counting change. If you are planning on paying with cash, avoid paying with large bills unless your total is also a larger amount.
Once you have paid, step off to the side to keep the line moving. Some food court kiosks have an order line and a serving area. Stand off to the side of the serving area to allow people to retrieve their meals as they are being called and dished out.
Choose A Table Nearby
Once you have your meal, scan the surrounding tables and look for one that is clean. Do not wander around the food court searching for the perfect table. The longer you wander, the colder your food will get. If you are eating by yourself or with one other person, avoid choosing large tables that can seat 6 or more people, especially during peak times.
If there are no other options available, be sure to offer your free seats to others or find an already occupied table with a free seat or two that you can sit at. Always ask before you sit with other people.
Holding Tables In A Food Court Is Frowned Upon
An unwritten rule of food court etiquette is to not hold tables. Holding a table before you go order your food, by means of placing your belongings on the chair or table, is an invitation for theft. If someone really wants that table, they will move your belongings off of it and sit there anyway. The food court can be a dangerous, lawless place at times.
The only exception to this rule is if someone sits at the table while the other person goes and orders food. No one will take a table if there is a body occupying at least one of the chairs. If you are with others, offer to order for the person who is holding the table. This kind gesture will be greatly appreciated.
Do Not Loiter In The Food Court, Especially During Peak Times
Food courts can be busy places, especially during peak times like lunch and dinner rushes. It is good etiquette to be aware of how long you have been sitting at a table and to consider packing up and leaving if you notice lines and crowds forming.
Some food courts may have an enforced time limit and can ask you to leave if you have exceeded the time posted, especially if you are not eating. If you want to continue chatting with friends or relax for a bit, relocate to a rest area within the mall.
Offer Your Table To Others If You See Them Searching
If you are finished eating, or in the process of cleaning up, and see someone searching for a table, get their attention by making eye contact, waving, and pointing to your table. Inform them that you are done or just about done, and that they can have your table.
They may offer to help you clean up. If they do, accept the offer. Many hands can make light work. If they do not offer, clean the table yourself and be on your way.
If someone asks you for your table but you are still eating, kindly let them know how long you will be and that they can have your table when you are finished. Be polite and well-mannered to avoid any confrontation, especially with strangers in public areas.
Clean Up After Yourself
Although food courts do have cleaning staff, you can help make their job easier by cleaning up after yourself. Properly dispose of your wrappers, dishes, and containers. Give the table a quick wipe with a clean napkin if you have any available.
A tidy eating area is inviting and helps keep the food court looking clean. Be sure to return any tables and chairs to their original location if you moved them to accommodate more people at your table. Inform staff if you spilled anything or if you notice any damage or vandalism to the tables or chairs.
Always Return Your Tray
Many food courts have a designated area where you can properly dispose of your trash, recycling, and food trays. These areas are often easy to spot by their large signage or array of bins.
If your food court does not have a designated area, look for trash cans and recycling bins around the perimeter of the seating area.Some trash cans are designed with a tray holder on top. They may be labeled, although are not always.
If you are not sure of where to return your tray, bring it to the food kiosk where you purchased your food. They will ensure it gets to the right place for proper cleaning and sanitizing.
Remember To Wash Your Hands
Food courts are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria, germs, and viruses. Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands after you have finished eating and cleaning up. The most effective way to wash your hands is with warm, soapy water and vigorous scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
If you cannot find the bathroom, or do not have time, use hand sanitizer. Since the pandemic, malls have installed hand sanitizers in high-traffic areas. We recommend keeping a travel-sized bottle of sanitizer with you at all times to help prevent the spread of illnesses.
Some food court restaurants may offer single-use moist towelettes along with cutlery. These are effective at removing sticky, oily, and saucy residue from your hands, but not at killing germs and bacteria. They are not a substitute for properly disinfecting your hands.
Although most people forget to, we suggest washing your hands before eating especially if you touched door handles, railings, and items in stores. Even with increased sanitizer locations, many people still do not wash their hands. Protect yourself by washing yours regularly.
Avoid Taking Food Outside Of The Food Court
Another unwritten food court etiquette rule is to keep food inside the food court. Small items like drinks and hand-held items are typically okay to take outside, but larger items that require two hands or a knife and a fork should remain within the court.
Sticky, messy hands can easily stain and damage products in stores, especially fabrics. If an employee or manager catches you leaving residue on their products, they may force you to purchase the item or remove (or even ban) you from their store.
Not everyone properly disposes of their trash. Some people believe it is perfectly acceptable to leave their garbage on shelves or tucked behind items in stores. This is frustrating for both employees and other shoppers who may discover your garbage and have to dispose of it themselves.
If you need to dispose of your trash, find a proper receptacle or ask a staff member if they can dispose of it for you. Always say "please" and "thank you" when asking for assistance from others, especially ones who take your garbage.
Food Courts And Child Safety
If you have young children, keep them in view at all times and remind them of the importance of good etiquette and manners in public places. The food court is not a play place. A small child could seriously injure themselves if they crash into a table or slip or trip over something.
They could also injure others. Someone walking with a food tray may not see a small child running across their path or hiding under a table. That small child may unexpectedly end up wearing someone else's meal.
Summary
Food courts are fantastic, convenient places to enjoy a meal so you can get back to shopping, studying, or hanging out with friends. Knowing how they operate and how you should behave keeps everything running smoothly and ensures a safe and respectful place for you and others.
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