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Burping, slurping & finger-snapping: Biggest first date no-nos

March 16, 2009 12:48 IST

Going on a date tonight? Well, make sure that you don't treat the waiter at the restaurant badly, for a new study has found that clicking fingers at a maître d' is the biggest first date faux pas.

A poll of 3,000 people found 63 percent of people could not bear to see the waiter being treated badly.

The rude, attention-grabbing gesture pipped drowning a dish in salt before even tasting it and getting drunk at the table to land the first spot.

Other inappropriate acts which will insure the first date is the only date were licking the plate clean, burping, picking teeth with fingers, the study conducted by Internet market research company www.onepoll.com found.

"There are basic rules of etiquette which should be adhered to when eating out -- and they're not hard to remember. The majority of respondents only expect basic good manners from their dining companions -- so burping, coughing, breaking wind and obscenities are definitely off the menu," The Telegraph quoted a rep, as saying.

Around 46 percent of the participants did not like watching someone nearby licking the knife instead of using their fork. And 38 percent said someone slurping soup was not on.

Top 10 first date faux pas:

1. Clicking fingers at the waiter
2. Adding salt to the meal before tasting it
3. Getting drunk
4. Licking the plate clean
5. Burping
6. Picking teeth with fingers
7. Licking the knife
8. Slurping soup
9. Talking about sex or bodily functions
10. Not leaving a tip

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

Source: ANI