Still, you need to learn to navigate restaurants, and the rules tend to shift with place, category and time — with new ones evolving as the world changes. That’s why I’m starting this irregular series on the lessons I’m learning while eating out. You’ll probably have your own corollaries or disagree vehemently. I’m more than happy to test your hypotheses and theories on my next night eating solo. Which is probably tomorrow. (PS: I’ve left most proper names off because of sensitivities, mainly because I’d like to get back to some of these places again!)

Is your server judging you?
My friend Abdulla and I often exchange dining tales while enjoying V60s at our favorite coffee shop on Gray’s Inn Road. The other day, he told me about an acquaintance who was constantly afraid of being judged for what he was eating. Even at McDonald’s. “Is all of that for you?” the friend was once asked at a check-out counter. “Uhmmm… no,” he lied before heading to a table out of the cashier’s line of sight to gobble up both Big Macs. Fortunately for Abdulla’s friend, the Golden Arches deploys touch screens nowadays. No more humans to look askance at your order.