There are do's and don'ts for nearly every social activity and setting, but you might not realize what a faux pas your dinner order can be—at least when it's at a birthday.
That $60 filet mignon might feel like a perfectly fine entrée, but what about when the bday girl or guy picks up the tab? Your table-side cacio e pepe made in a cheese wheel might seem like fun entertainment for the whole table, but suddenly all eyes are on you—and not the guest of honor.
Here are six things you should never order at someone else's birthday dinner.
Fajitas. Ever.
This whole "what not to order at a birthday dinner" convo started after one TikToker's boyfriend stole the show by ordering the fajitas at his bday celebration. "ON MY BIRTHDAY??? Go ahead the spotlight is yours," he joked.
However, commenters were quick to agree: it actually is kinda rude to order fajitas if it's not your birthday.
“TIME AND PLACE,” one user wrote.
Another added, “Strictly for ATTENTION LMAOOOO,” another said.
“My sister announced she was engaged to my brother in law AT MY WEDDING. But even she would never order the sizzling fajitas on my birthday,” a third person joked.
Drinks With Drama
While we're talking about attention-seeking orders, let's just cross a smoking cocktail off the list of potential drink choices. This isn't the science fair or a magic show. Get a classic margarita and sip it a champ.
Tableside Service
Unless the birthday person requests it, avoid ordering anything that comes with a show. You don't need the table-side guac or that pasta in a cheese wheel. If you thought heads spun for fajitas, just wait till a martini-and-caviar cart comes rolling down to your table...
The Most Expensive Thing on the Menu
While there are different rules of thought on who should pay for a birthday dinner, there's a good chance you won't pay for your own meal—which means you should definitely not stick the person that is with a pricey tab of lobster and top-shelf tequila.
Look, we're not saying you should order a well vodka and side salad, but you should be mindful about not looking too greedy—especially when the bday person is footing your bill.
Just Water and Nothing Else
Yes, you shouldn't ball out on someone else's dime. But it's also lame (and still attention-seeking) to go in the other direction with a water and nothing else. Because suddenly the conversation isn't about your bestie turning 30 and all about "why you're not hungry." "Should you at least get an appetizer?" "Is it a money thing?" "Are you thirsty?" Order a little something!
An Entrée That Feels More Like a Contest
Don't (and I repeat DO NOT) order any dish that's basically just an eating contest.
"If I was at my birthday dinner at a restaurant and someone at the part decided to order some dish that required to eat it like was a contest, and if they won their face went on the wall, I would be mad," TikToker Jasmine Ellis said. "If there was some 100 wing platter challenge and now everyone has to stop. The whole restaurant is cheering them on. They’re trying to eat 100 wings and we can’t leave and make our reservation for karaoke until they finish the wings, I would be livid."
