Before a night out with friends, family or a date, you might make a reservation or pick out a fun outfit to wear. But are you someone who always checks the menu before arriving at a restaurant, no matter what?
If you or a friend or loved one reliably checks the menu before arriving, you’re far from alone. In 2023, US Foods surveyed over 1,000 Americans on their menu preferences and ordering habits, and they found that a whopping 83% of Americans look at a menu before eating at a restaurant, and 50% decide what they’re ordering before arriving.
There are many reasons why someone might check a menu before heading to a restaurant. For instance—and this is a big one—they might have dietary restrictions, and they want to make sure that the restaurant has vegetarian or vegan offerings, or has a gluten-free kitchen if they have celiac disease.
It can also denote that someone has specific personality traits that are showcased through their menu meticulousness.
“Pre-checking menus can indicate strong executive functioning or planning ability, anxiety or curiosity,” says Dr. Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT, Chief Psychological Officer at Recovered, an organization that provides information and resources for mental health and addiction treatment. “Such people are likely conscientious and careful rather than spontaneous, and may trend toward neuroticism and worry.”
If you’re a perpetual menu-checker, or know someone who always does this, read on to discover the traits associated with this habit.
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8 Common Traits of People Who Check the Menu Before Going to a Restaurant, a Psychologist Says
1. They’re conscientious
“Pre-checking menus can indicate a careful, conscientious personality,” Dr. Vinall says. “Someone might have specific dietary needs or ethical concerns regarding food preparation and want to know in advance if they will run into problems at the restaurant, or be concerned about the dietary restrictions of others in the dining party. Such people are doing due diligence to avoid problems later.”
2. They’re anxiety-prone
If you regularly have anxiety, that anxiety might translate to your menu checking.
Dr. Vinall says, “People who pre-check menus may worry about details and feel more settled in unknown scenarios when they can plan and visualize more aspects of their night out.”
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3. They’re socially-focused
Dr. Vinall observes, “Checking a menu in advance reduces distraction when you are sitting with your dinner date, allowing you to minimize time spent reading the menu and focus your whole attention on the person in front of you.”
4. They’re “planners”
You may be well-known for your stellar planning abilities, which carry over to reviewing a restaurant’s menu.
“People who pre-check menus may be natural planners, organized and accustomed to thinking several steps ahead,” Dr. Vinall says. “They are less spontaneous, but also less likely to be caught in unfavorable scenarios.”
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5. They’re budget-conscious
“Pre-checking menus allows people to remain within their budgets without over-extending themselves or facing awkward situations,” Dr. Vinall says.
6. They’re controlling
You might lean a bit into trying to control various aspects of your life, and while that’s not always a bad trait, it can be displayed through pre-checking a menu.
“Needing to know the options in advance could possibly suggest a controlling personality,” Dr. Vinall tells Parade. “The extreme opposite of spontaneity and flexibility is control and rigidity. Depending on other motivating factors, this behavior might be a small red flag.”
7. They’re distractible
“Some people know they are prone to distraction in busy places, novel environments and while conversing with others,” Dr. Vinall says. “They minimize this limitation by reducing the friction and separating the menu decision-making from the distracting environment.”
8. They’re curious
You may simply be curious, and that’s why you’re checking out the menu ahead of time.
Dr. Vinall shares, “Curiosity is a wonderful trait seen often in creative and intelligent people. Pre-checking a menu may simply indicate excitement and wonder. When we allow ourselves to anticipate a positive experience, it extends the positive feelings beyond the event’s timeframe.”
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Is It a Good Idea To Check the Menu Ahead of Time?
Although it may sound a bit inflexible, according to Dr. Vinall, there are many positive reasons for pre-checking a restaurant’s menu, adding that “it’s good to balance this with spontaneity.”
“For example, you might pick out a dish you want to try and a back-up in case it is unavailable, but still ask about and consider the chef’s specials,” she says. “This approach offers the benefits of planning for preferences and dietary needs, allowing focus on your dining partner and positive anticipation, while balanced with a less rigid flexibility.”
Related: Psychologist Reveals That People Who Write Out To-Do Lists by Hand Share These 7 Unique Traits
Final Takeaways
Keep in mind that while these potential traits are interesting and noteworthy, none of them are set in stone.
“There are no fixed descriptors of people who engage in this practice, as there are various reasons for the behavior,” Dr. Vinall says. “Just as curiosity about menus and new dishes is a positive, so too is a stance of open curiosity about your dinner dates’ choices and behaviors.”
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Sources:
- Deborah Vinall, PsyD, LMFT, Chief Psychological Officer at Recovered.
- US Foods: “Decoding Americans’ Menu Preferences and Ordering Habits”
