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The power lunch etiquette – some guidelines
As a business executive, you need to constantly be on your toes when dealing with important clients or business partners. In such times, formal dinners and lunches can rather be pressurizing in situations where executives need to demonstrate their best efforts, whether it is proper communication, dress code, or dining etiquettes.
In business and the formal world, most of the deals, interviews and meetings are cracked across the dining table. Thus, dining manners are an important part of business etiquette. And as long as you follow the table manners meticulously, it does not matter whether the dining is at an elegant five star hotel or restaurant or at a formal corporate dining hall.
Keep the following points, which mark the boundaries of business dining etiquette, in mind and you will definitely be able to pass through the hardest of situations tidily and secure the best of the business deals for your company.
Do’s
1. You should make it a point to be punctual and arrive on time. Make sure that you inform your client or business partner incase you are going to be late.
2. You should always dress accordingly, most preferably, dress conservatively for any formal dining.
3. The napkin should be quietly unfolded and placed on your lap after sitting down. Fold it in half and place the folded half towards your waist.
4. Do not be in a rush to begin with the dinner. Be kind and patient enough to wait for all your clients or business partners to arrive.
5. Switching off your cell phones and pagers while dining is a good etiquette.
6. Maintain proper upright posture while dining. Elbows should be kept off the table.
7. Let the host decide the menu before ordering if you are confused about ordering the meal.
8. Ordering simple menu items which can be eaten with a knife and fork, chopsticks, or other utensils will be a good option. Finger foods should be avoided.
9. Wait for everyone else to start the meal before starting with yours.
10. Taste your meal before making any additions. Use both knife and fork together to cut your food.
11. Eat your food in small bites and try to finish at the same time as everyone else.
12. Stir your soup gently from the farthest edge, instead of blowing it. Drink soup from the edge of the spoon and not putting the whole spoon in your mouth.
13. Bread should be torn with hands and not a knife if it is in the shape of a loaf.
14. You should remove something that is stuck in your mouth, inconspicuously with a fork.
15. If you want to bring a problem to the waiter’s attention, do it discreetly.
16. Place the napkin on the left your plate after finishing your meal. Placing the knife and fork in the centre of the plate in the five o’clock position is an indication to the waiter that you are done with your meal.
17. How the bill is going to be paid should be decided beforehand. Giving a tip to the waiter is always good etiquette. The tip charges may differ according to the location and country.
Don’ts
1. You should not be impatient to know the arrival status of your clients or guests and should wait atleast for fifteen minutes before calling up.
2. Avoid putting bags, briefcases and other accessories on the table.
3. The order of dining utensils placed on the table should not be changed. They should also not be reshuffled according to your handedness.
4. Avoid ordering expensive menu items or alcohol at business meals.
5. Avoid applying makeup at the table.
6. Avoid biting on ice or talking when the mouth is full.
7. You should definitely not slurp soups or drinks or make noises while chewing food.
As a business executive, you need to constantly be on your toes when dealing with important clients or business partners. In such times, formal dinners and lunches can rather be pressurizing in situations where executives need to demonstrate their best efforts, whether it is proper communication, dress code, or dining etiquettes.
In business and the formal world, most of the deals, interviews and meetings are cracked across the dining table. Thus, dining manners are an important part of business etiquette. And as long as you follow the table manners meticulously, it does not matter whether the dining is at an elegant five star hotel or restaurant or at a formal corporate dining hall.
Keep the following points, which mark the boundaries of business dining etiquette, in mind and you will definitely be able to pass through the hardest of situations tidily and secure the best of the business deals for your company.
Do’s
1. You should make it a point to be punctual and arrive on time. Make sure that you inform your client or business partner incase you are going to be late.
2. You should always dress accordingly, most preferably, dress conservatively for any formal dining.
3. The napkin should be quietly unfolded and placed on your lap after sitting down. Fold it in half and place the folded half towards your waist.
4. Do not be in a rush to begin with the dinner. Be kind and patient enough to wait for all your clients or business partners to arrive.
5. Switching off your cell phones and pagers while dining is a good etiquette.
6. Maintain proper upright posture while dining. Elbows should be kept off the table.
7. Let the host decide the menu before ordering if you are confused about ordering the meal.
8. Ordering simple menu items which can be eaten with a knife and fork, chopsticks, or other utensils will be a good option. Finger foods should be avoided.
9. Wait for everyone else to start the meal before starting with yours.
10. Taste your meal before making any additions. Use both knife and fork together to cut your food.
11. Eat your food in small bites and try to finish at the same time as everyone else.
12. Stir your soup gently from the farthest edge, instead of blowing it. Drink soup from the edge of the spoon and not putting the whole spoon in your mouth.
13. Bread should be torn with hands and not a knife if it is in the shape of a loaf.
14. You should remove something that is stuck in your mouth, inconspicuously with a fork.
15. If you want to bring a problem to the waiter’s attention, do it discreetly.
16. Place the napkin on the left your plate after finishing your meal. Placing the knife and fork in the centre of the plate in the five o’clock position is an indication to the waiter that you are done with your meal.
17. How the bill is going to be paid should be decided beforehand. Giving a tip to the waiter is always good etiquette. The tip charges may differ according to the location and country.
Don’ts
1. You should not be impatient to know the arrival status of your clients or guests and should wait atleast for fifteen minutes before calling up.
2. Avoid putting bags, briefcases and other accessories on the table.
3. The order of dining utensils placed on the table should not be changed. They should also not be reshuffled according to your handedness.
4. Avoid ordering expensive menu items or alcohol at business meals.
5. Avoid applying makeup at the table.
6. Avoid biting on ice or talking when the mouth is full.
7. You should definitely not slurp soups or drinks or make noises while chewing food.
