Etiquette Boss: Restaurant seating – a gentleman’s guide
I have observed that many gentlemen take the seat facing the restaurant door, without paying much attention to their female companion’s seating position. An etiquette violation occurs if the gentleman’s seating position requires his female companion to face the wall.
In social situations, ‘ladies before gentlemen’ is a consideration that goes beyond entering an open door. However, this no longer applies to business dining, which is considered ‘gender neutral,’ the person of higher rank being given the best seat, regardless of gender.
Social dining still requires that the lady face the restaurant, so that she has a good view. A good table would present both parties with a proper view, and this can be secured when reservations are made. Sometimes men sit without even looking at the lady, but a gentleman seats the lady to his right by pulling out her chair and helping her closer to the table before being seated.