Why Stacking Plates at a Restaurant Might Not Be as Helpful as You Think

Dining etiquette is full of unspoken rules—waiting until everyone at the table is served before digging in, keeping your elbows off the table, and saying a polite “thank you” to your server. But what about stacking your plates at the end of a meal to “help” the waitstaff? It might seem like a considerate move, but according to many in the service industry, it’s more complicated than you think.

A viral TikTok video hilariously sums up the debate. In the clip, a customer stacks their plates, only to be met with a blunt response from the server: “Honestly, I hate that.” The reason? Customers often stack dishes in ways that make them harder to carry—like balancing a glass on top of a pile of mashed potato-covered plates. Another server in the skit offers a different take, saying it’s a nice gesture, while a third chimes in that it just looks messy in upscale restaurants. So, what’s the real answer?

What Do Actual Servers Think?

Scrolling through Reddit threads filled with restaurant workers, the consensus is mixed. Some say stacking is fine—if done correctly—which means no cups on plates and no leftover food trapped between layers. Others argue that, especially in high-end establishments, stacking plates is a no-go because professional servers are trained to clear tables in a specific way. As one commenter put it, "A good server will never stack plates at your table, so you shouldn’t either."

William Bonilla, a service captain at Washington D.C.'s Dirty Habit, backs this up. Speaking to Today, he explained that while the effort is appreciated, it actually makes their job harder. Servers have their own system for clearing tables efficiently—your well-intended plate tower can slow them down.

So, Should You Stop Stacking?

If you're dining at a casual spot and your server seems overwhelmed, a neatly stacked set of plates might be welcomed. But in most cases, it’s best to leave the cleanup to the pros. After all, their job isn’t just to clear dishes—it’s to do so smoothly and efficiently without the risk of your mashed-potato-covered cup making a surprise trip to the floor.

Moral of the story? Next time you’re tempted to stack, maybe just focus on tipping well instead. That’s always a help!