Understanding American Dining and its Lingo

Speed dining or dining out in family restaurants is a culture in the U.S. The restaurant staff usually have a uniform that is similiar to a football team; i.e. team colors and a logo.  Some even begin there "shift" with a motivational rally that is to get the staff pumped up about customer service.  Diners or family restaurants have "regulars" that have a table. Groups usually meet in them after a game or rehearsal. They are also, a strong beacon when you are a weary traveler or you've just picked up the kids and the idea of cooking makes you want to set the house on fire. I've picked out some of their lingo as well as general words and idioms to help you strengthen your vocabulary.

The answers to the Tip: decide, expense, back and forths, stubborn.  The 15 words in the word puzzle entertaining are: 1. special, 2. guest, 3. recommend, 4. opinion, 5. owner, 6. reserve, 7. apron, 8. social, 9. server, 10. plates, 11. acquaintance, 12. gettogether, 13. society, 14 talk, 15. chef. 16*dish   -bonus word!
Which of these is not a meaning that can be made from tab: Piece of gum (f)-
Dining shorthand: axel grease 9, baby juice 6, hemorrage 10, wax 1,  balloon water 8, bow wow 3, chicks on a raft 5, cup of mud 7, wreck'em 2.  
Enjoy bauenglish, just say so! Give likes they keep me going!  Bee