Zagat Survey has long been the go-to authority on the best restaurants, its ratings based on the input of thousands of diners. But now they're surveying not just what where we eat, but how we ought to behave once we're there.
How come? "We just decided, in a world of using cellphones, reservations online, it was about time," survey co-founder Tim Zagat told Matt Wednesday.
In other words, the times they are a-changin' in restaurants as well as everywhere else. For instance, menus without prices for women have gone the way of the horse and buggy; diners surveyed by Zagat thought that whoever initiates the dinner date should pick up the tab. They also thought that "ladies first" when it comes to ordering is a thing of the past; whoever has their mind made up first should initiate the ordering.
Some traditions die hard, though. Survey respondents still think men should hold doors open for women, and that the customer is always right.
But jackets and ties? Forget it. "Don't be a slob, that's the proper attire," Zagat told Matt. Watch the video: