The GuardianThe Guardian

Why being rude to the waiter (or other staff) is the worst strategy

By Hannah Devlin

21 Oct 2022 · 3 min read

Editor's Note

Talkshow host James Corden has found himself in hot water over his treatment of waitstaff at a New York restaurant. The Guardian shows why mistreating the staff is the cardinal sin of eating out.

Whether it is clicking their fingers at the waiter, talking loudly on their phone or letting the kids go feral, there are few things as unappealing as a rude dining companion in a restaurant.

But mistreating the staff is perhaps the cardinal sin of eating out, and has long been seen as indicative of a poor character. And this week, the talkshow host James Corden has found himself in hot water after such an allegation.

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