A new Yelp etiquette guide has unveiled dinner date dilemmas, including the age-old question of who should pay the bill.

Yelp issued its initial dining out etiquette manual containing guidelines on what is acceptable and not acceptable behavior while eating out.

Yelp sought the advice of etiquette expert Myka Meier on contentious table manners, such as bill payment and phone usage, based on feedback from nearly 2,000 Yelp users who have completed restaurant reviews.

The proper amount of phone usage at a restaurant is a frequently debated topic.

While on a date, 80% of Yelp respondents believe phones should be put away at the dinner table, in contrast to 54% who said the same during family meals.

To enjoy the meal with friends, 50% put their phones away.

Meier advised that diners who need to keep their phone on the table during a meal should inform their companion of the reason.

She informed Yelp that modern etiquette involves keeping personal belongings such as wallets, sunglasses, and unfortunately, cellphones off the table while dining.

"Transparency is a courteous gesture."

What is the common practice among Yelp respondents regarding who should pay the bill on a date?

According to Yelp, 68% of individuals believed the person who started the date should pay the bill.

In the southern region of the United States, 74% of surveyed respondents believed this statement to be true.

Meier advised simplicity in the process, suggesting that it's better to limit the number of cards on the table and use a money-sharing app to settle up later if the bill is being split.

"By implementing this method, the server can simplify the process and enable you to split the bill equally or divide it according to your individual orders," she stated.

In the South, 65% of people surveyed by Yelp said they request that the check be split among all diners, while 34% of those in the Northeast prefer that one person pays upfront.

Arriving on time to a restaurant reservation is considered good manners.

A majority of survey respondents found it unacceptable to be tardy by 10 minutes or more to a sit-down restaurant appointment.

Gender, age, and geographical location influenced opinions on timeliness.

More men than women found tardiness to be unacceptable.

According to Yelp, individuals aged 25-34 were more relaxed about being punctual.

Yelp surveyed participants about the typical percentage they tip at various locations like coffee shops and fast-food spots.

Almost 90% of people at a sit-down restaurant prefer to tip as much as they see fit, while also appreciating the advanced notice of any automatic tipping added to the final bill. However, only 65% said they tip the standard 20% of a bill.

Meier emphasized the importance of providing advance notice of automatic tipping policies to prevent surprises.

Remember to consider the service you've received and show gratitude when tipping to create a positive dining experience for everyone involved.