What's the most interesting traditional or formal politeness behaviour or table manners in your culture? Or for any service personnel, in your restaurant?
I love all the ritualized behaviour, secret meanings and unexpected taboos - standing up when someone of higher status stands, elaborate rules for serving and eating, tapping the table to thank the server, never refuse a toast from a superior, stuff like that.
Whether it's about meals or anything else, I'd love to hear about any uncommon politeness standard or similar social behaviour that goes on in your location, culture or restaurant!
Don't salt your food before tasting it, it's insulting to the chef/cook since it looks like you don't trust their cooking.
There's a popular story of someone being taken to a restaurant for an interview with their potential boss and the candidate being rejected because they salted their food before tasting it. The interviewer took it to mean the candidate wasn't trusting, was opinionated, and didn't respect the food or the chef and they didn't get the job.
Imagine losing a job because an armchair psychologist took you to the fanciest restaurant you've ever been to and you like salty food. Ah well, free meal!
That is an Admiral Rickover story from the USN. He was the first guy in charge of the Navy Nuclear Power Program, and they still tell many stories about the guy.