Whether you're celebrating a birthday or life event, heading out on a date or just grabbing a quick bite to eat, we all visit restaurants from time to time. And given we're paying for the privilege, we naturally want the experience to go as smoothly as possible - from great service through to a tasty meal which is definitely worth the cost of the bill we get at the end.But just as we have our own expectations when it comes to eating out, there's aspects of our own behaviour we should also be looking at to get the most from it. According to the experts, we're all making a fair few mistakes in that regard. Read on to find out what you're doing wrong before you've even got your table for two - and what you should be doing instead...(Picture: Getty Images)

1. Seating yourself

Kicking off with the moment you get to the restaurant, let's look at the whole process of getting a table to begin with, because if you're just strolling in and seating yourself, that's a big no-no. Granted, some restaurants will allow you to seat yourself - and of course if you're grabbing a quick lunch in a sandwich shop, dining somewhere which has self-service or eating in a takeaway, you'll be perfectly entitled to grab a free table without checking first. But if you're dining out anywhere more formal, you should always wait for the staff to come to you, even if you have a reservation. By waiting, you can avoid any awkwardness that might arise from sitting at a table which isn't actually free - and even if you see your name on a table you should still check with staff that it's ready for you before you sit down (Picture: Getty Images)

2. Showing up late

Showing up and helping yourself to a table without waiting might be bad form, but what if you arrive late for your reservation? Most restaurants will offer a grace period of around 15 minutes before they give your table away to someone else, but sauntering in half an hour late without warning could well cause problems both for you and for them if they've done so. If you are going to be late - and yes, we know transport issues and other last-minute crises happen - you should always call the restaurant to let them know, rather than just leave them to assume you're not coming (Picture: Getty Images)

3. Not showing up at all

What's the only thing worse than turning up late for a booking without telling the restaurant staff? Oh yes that's right, not showing up at all. According to recent research from hospitality technology firm Zonal, around 20% of diners fail to show up for reservations in big cities. But while 18% of people also said they would cancel a booking in advance, 14% just don't turn up at all if they can't make it. Not turning up impacts the restaurant itself as it loses money on empty tables which it can't then guarantee it'll fill with other diners. So if you really can't make a booking you should cancel as far in advance as possible and bear in mind many places will now charge you a cancellation fee, especially if it's at short notice (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

OK, so you're not necessarily going to be able to do this for every single place you eat at. But if you have allergies or specific dietary requirements, not checking a restaurant menu before you dine there could create a whole world of problems for the venue itself, and you could end up not being able to eat there. Since most places put their menu online now, there's no excuse not to check this before you go - and flagging any specific requirements you or your fellow diners may have beforehand. Most restaurants will happily accommodate these but it's not quite so easy to do so at a moment's notice (Picture: Getty Images)

5. Using your phone at the table

So you've shown up on time, consulted the menu and been polite to your server - only to then spend the rest of the meal sitting on your phone, chatting loudly with anyone but the person sitting opposite you. Not popular, it seems, as Adeodata Czink of etiquette consultants Business In Manners told Reader's Digest: 'Nothing is more irritating for others than having to listen to your notifications. Plus, it is very inconsiderate to ignore those dining with you in favor of electronic conversations. It makes them feel unimportant and ignored.' So, if you are enjoying a celebratory dinner out with folk, stick the phone in your bag, or if you do urgently need to answer a message or take a call, excuse yourself and take it outside (Picture: Getty Images)

Back to menus now, and while advising a restaurant in advance of any allergies or specific requirements is a good thing, and substitutions or slight alterations to a dish are generally OK, asking for something that's completely different to what's offered could well prove problematic. It's an even worse idea if you just spring it on your waiter as a surprise. Instead? As before, check the menu in advance to ensure you're happy with it, and consider choosing a different restaurant which has a menu you do like. Or, if the place isn't your choice, speak to them upfront and see what they can do to accommodate you (Picture: Getty Images)

7. Staying too long

If the restaurant you're dining in is half-empty, or you've booked a celebration meal with a group, you don't need to worry too much about how long you're there. But if the place you're dining in is heaving with potential diners queueing out the door, lingering for hours over your meal might not make you the most popular person in the room. Some restaurants you book at might also have a time limit for your table - they may want it back after 90 minutes or two hours - so it's always worth checking this when you book, rather than assuming it's yours for the whole night. Lovefood advises that if you want to keep the evening going after dessert, you could always ask for a seat at the bar to finish your drinks or continue your chat (Picture: Getty Images)

8. Not tipping enough

Finally, while you might want to reward good service with a nice tip, it's important to check you're paying the right amount. Too much could leave you out of pocket, too little would just look insulting. Around 15-20% of the total bill is standard in the US, while in Europe and the rest of the world the average tip can be closer to 10-15%. If the service charge is already added then you don't need to leave an extra tip. And make sure if you're abroad that you pay attention to the local custom. In some countries, such as Japan for example, it's not customary to leave a tip at all and if you do so it may be refused - which could be a tad awkward (Picture: Getty Images)