I’m a rule follower. I have always liked rules, always felt comfortable abiding by them, and I usually see the point to them. There are, however, a few rules in the NYC restaurant scene that need to be abandoned. They are antiquated, odd, and just plain annoying.

Whether economic or stylistic, here are three rules that NYC needs to rid itself of!

Cash only

Come on, restaurateurs, it’s 2012. Perhaps a small bodega or corner pizza place could get away with this, but fine dining restaurants where the bill for two easily tops $100? Be real with us; you can probably pay the credit card fees, and that way, the diners can enjoy your food more often and earn their airline miles at the same time.

No reservation policies

Puh-LEASE! Restaurateurs say that this is to protect the neighborhood diners and let them get a chance at dining there, but I would love the chance to get a reservation at my neighborhood spot. All that “no reservations” do is create hype for the dozens of people waiting online at 8 p.m., hoping to cram into a booth to eat a burger that can’t possibly live up to the mystique. Make your diners confirm their reservations the day of, or charge them a credit card fee if they don’t show—but for goodness sake, please let people know when and where they can dine.

Stools as chairs

Here’s the thing: If you are eating at a restaurant, chances are you like to eat a lot. To relax. To have a glass of wine. None of these activities is conducive to balancing on a tiny stool, hoping you aren’t so tipsy that you fall or so well-fed that your posterior falls over the side of it. We aren’t asking for armchairs—we are asking for some back support.