Here is our problem. My boyfriend
and I go to the movies and to dinner quite a bit and we aren't sure who
goes down the aisle first at the movies, me or my boyfriend, and who follows
the waiter or the waitress to the table at a restaurant, me or my boyfriend?
Will you help us?
Dear Lovers: Let's discuss going
to the movies first. When a couple goes to the movie or to the theater,
the lady follows the usher down the aisle to the appropriate row.
The usher makes sure the seat is clean and that there are no obstructions
in the woman's path. The usher then goes back into the aisle and
allows the woman to pass in front of him on her way to her seat.
The woman's date then follows the
woman into the row and is seated nearest the aisle. If there
is no usher, the gentleman goes first, makes sure the seat is clean and
the path is clear, goes back out into the aisle, and then allows the woman
to pass in front of him to her seat. The gentleman then sits beside
her, in the seat nearest the aisle. When exiting the movie/theater,
the gentleman stands and goes out into the aisle, waits for the woman,
and then takes her by the hand or the arm, and walks her up the aisle and
out of the movie/theater.
When there is no usher at the movie theater,
the couple walks side by side down the aisle to the appropriate row or
if they choose, one may walk in front of the other in no particular order.
When leaving the movie theater, the gentleman waits in the aisle for the
woman and takes her by the hand or arm, and walks her up the aisle and
out of the movie/theater.
This changes a little when there are
two couples going to the movie theater. Once all of you arrive at
the appropriate row, one gentleman goes first, followed by the two ladies,
with the other gentleman seated last and closest to the aisle. The
two ladies sit next to each other so they are the center of attention and
conversation. The ladies usually sit next to the gentleman who is
not their partner. As for leaving the movie/theater, the gentleman
seated closest to the aisle gets up and waits in the aisle for the two
ladies, who
are followed by the second gentleman.
The gentlemen each take a lady by the hand or by the arm and leads her
out of the movie theater.
Restaurant manners are completely
different from at-home table manners. Restaurant etiquette begins
the moment you walk into the restaurant. When a couple goes to a
restaurant and must follow a waitress to a table, the gentleman goes first
with his date behind him.
When the couple arrive at the designated
table, the gentleman makes sure that the chair is clean and that
his date has the best possible place at the table before she is seated.
When a couple goes to a restaurant and are to be seated by a Maitre d,'
the woman follows the Maitre d' to the table as the Maitre d' is schooled
in the art of etiquette and dining and certainly would have the table and
chairs of the restaurant in perfect order.
The Maitre d' is also familiar with
the lighting and different areas in the restaurant and will seat the lady
in the finest light to showcase her dress and manners. This usually
holds true when you are seated by a waiter. Remember, a lady's
handbag is placed in her lap and never on the table. Further, a gentleman's
hat comes off of his head the moment he enters a building, including a
restaurant.
