For more than 30 years, Tim Zagat, the co-founder and CEO of the famed Zagat Survey of restaurants, has been helping diners find the perfect meal out. Now Zagat reveals 10 new etiquette rules that will change a food lover's dining experience for the better.

Zagat and his wife, Nina, first started rating and reviewing restaurants in 1979. The attorneys have since turned their hobby into a gastronomical bible for diners in more than 100 countries.

"We ask customers to rate food, décor and the service. We have lots of filters to make sure restaurants aren't voting for themselves," Zagat said on Thursday on CTV's Canada AM.

That search for the world's best eateries has also allowed Zagat to make an interesting observation.

"I think people are using rules of etiquette that are out of date," said Zagat.

To update those guidelines, Zagat offered these 10 new rules of dining etiquette :

1. Equality

Women and men should be treated as equals in a restaurant. Still, a plurality of diners say that men are treated better than women. The explanation given is that men are more likely to pay the bill and tip. How dated can you be? She probably earns more than you.

2. Paying for it

Whoever initiates a dinner date pays. Long ago, women were handed menus with no prices on them. Nowadays, whoever did the inviting should be expected to pay for the meal, unless you've worked out another arrangement in advance.

3. Ordering food

Forget gender -- people should order when they are ready. Sorry, Emily Post, but gone are the days when women were expected to go first. Since menus can be long and complex, regardless of your sex it's a courtesy to order first and buy your tablemates a bit more time to decide.

4. Handheld vices

Do not talk, text, tweet, email or surf the web at table. It's rude, say 63 per cent of diners. A whopping 73 per cent advise turning off those ringers. If you have urgent business to deal with, step away from the table briefly to handle matters.

5. Kids, kids, kids

It's fine to bring children to dinner in most restaurants. But don't do it at places where they'd elevate the decibel level or restaurants that are meant to be romantic. Zagat surveyors split over the age at which children should be allowed to accompany their parents to a restaurant: 38 per cent say from birth while the same per cent argue five years or older. Tellingly, 61 per cent believe that restaurants should be able to ban children.

6. Dressing down or up

Dress casually. This is known as the "Los Angelization of dining." Hardly any restaurants require ties and jackets anymore. The tiny minority of restaurants that do will not object if you put your jacket over the back of your chair. About the only rule that is left today is "don't be a slob." Alternatively, you may want to "dress up" to impress your companion.

7. Serious reservations

People should treat dining reservations as important commitments. Honour your restaurant reservations or cancel them on time. Holding an empty table for a no-show does real damage to a restaurant. If you make reservations and fail to cancel in advance, you'll deservedly become persona non grata at the restaurant.

8. Okay, now get out

Don't overstay your welcome at a busy restaurant. Take your time and enjoy your food, wine, conversation and after-dinner treats. Nobody should ever feel rushed. But interestingly, 60 per cent of Zagat surveyors nationally supported the idea of restaurants setting time limits on tables during peak hours. Remember, next time you may be the one waiting in line.

9. Long live chivalry

Men go through doors first and then hold them open for women. We know, we know. This is the one rule of chivalry that will never die, even if it's been updated (men used to allow women to go first). Two people can't go through a door at the same time. To women out there who find this notion antiquated, please, humour these poor men. Let them get the door -- they'll let you get the bill or walk on the outside once out on the street.

10. Remember you're the customer

The customer is always right. Too often customers feel they are being judged by the wait staff. That's wrong. Short of berating the waiter, you should expect to receive hospitable, efficient service and good food at any restaurant. If that doesn't happen, take your money elsewhere and tell the next 10 people that you meet.