Business Dining Etiquette

Dining Etiquette

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. And in this fast-food era, many people have forgotten – or were never taught – the fundamentals of dining etiquette.

Which way should I pass? Which fork is mine? What do I do with my napkin? Table manners play an important part in making a favorable impression. They are visible signals

of your manners and, therefore, are essential to professional success.Whether you are having lunch with a prospective employer or dinner with a business

associate, your manners speak volumes about you.

Introductions

When meeting someone…rise if you are seated.smile and extend your hand.repeat the other person’s name in your greeting.

A good handshake is important—it should be firm and held for three to four seconds.In today’s business world it is not necessary to wait for a female to initiate the handshake. Females & males should both be ready to initiate the handshake

Name Tags

Name Tag should be placed on the right hand side of your front shoulder area The logic: When shaking hands, it allows for a natural progression for the eyes to the name tag

Posture and Elbows

Sit straight and try not to lean on the table. Keep your elbows off the table and close to the body when you are eating.

Serving Food

Pass food to the right.Transfer dip to your plate.Plates are served on the left.Dishes removed from the right.Pass the salt and pepper together.

Napkin

Once seated place the napkin, unfolded, on your lap and leave it there until you are finished.Once you are finished place the napkin folded loosely to the left of your plate.

Napkin

A napkin is used to dab the corners of you mouth.If you need to leave the table during the meal, place the napkin on the chair and slide the chair under the table.

If a piece of silverware drops, leave it and ask for a replacement from your server.Silverware should not touch the tablecloth once used. Place knife at the top of the dinner plate, facing in, after use.When you are finished, place your knife and fork in the center of your plate.

Silverware

Dining

Wait until everyone is seated before eating.When dining with others, everyone should start and finish at the same time. If you are a fast eater try to pace yourself. You could make the others feel uncomfortable if you finish before they do. When you are finished eating, do not push your plate away from you.

Dining

Take small bites, keep your mouth closed and finish chewing before continuing your conversation. Try not to gulp your food, it isn't very attractive. Do not blow on food that is hot. Wait until it cools or when having soup, eat from the side of the bowl.

Dining

Bread and rolls should be broken with your fingers, in small pieces, and buttered one piece at a time. Cut one or two pieces of meat (or main course) at a time.Use your knife to cut lettuce, if needed.

Excusing Yourself and Problems

Be discrete if you have a problem with the food.

If you have to leave the table, excuse yourself.

Turn your head from the table when you cough or sneeze.

If someone uses your bread plate as their own, do not inform them of their mistake. Simply use your dinner plate. Do not use the bread plate on your right as a replacement.

1. Holding up the order because you can’t decide. Decide quickly or at least by the time everyone else is ready. Don’t ask the waitperson to explain everything on the menu. You will come across as indecisive and annoying.

2. Ordering messy meals. Don’t even think about that big, juicy hamburger. Stick to manageable meals you can eat with a fork. And, if you don’t know how to eat something,don’t order it.

3. Taking someone else’s bread or drinking out of another person’s glass. In most placesettings, your bread plate is on the left and your water glass is on the right. Remember the rule this way. Food has four letters and so does the word left. Drink has five letters and so does the word right.

4. Putting your napkin inside your shirt or belt. Remember you’re not at a family picnic. Your napkin goes on your lap when everyone has been seated. Etiquette dictates that you wait for your host to do so first.

DINING DON’TS

5. Holding your fork as if it were a pitchfork. You’ll look like you just came out of a cave. Also, when you are speaking, keep your utensils down. Don’t wave your fork or knife in the air.

6. Licking your utensils or fingers.

7. Eating ice cubes.

8. Talking with food in your mouth.

9. Pushing your plate away.

10. Stacking dishes.

EXERCISE 1

I need 8 volunteers

--I need each of you to take the plates, glasses and silver providedand place them in the proper order for a formal dinner place setting

Table Setting

Start on the outside and work your way in.Solids on your left---liquids on your right

EXERCISE 2 - SEATING

--Each person grab a paddle (each paddle represents a person)

--Seat the host and his guests in the proper order for the dinner.

SEATINGSeat the following individuals in their proper seat at the dinner table

MG BRAVO (HOST)CG, ARMY BASE

MRS. BRAVO (SPOUSE)

MAYOR CHARLIE (GUEST SPEAKER)Mayor of SGMP Land

MRS. CHARLIE (SPOUSE)

COMMISSIONER ALPHA (GUEST)County Commissioner of SGMP Land CHAPLAIN DELTA (INVOCATION)Chaplain of Army Base MRS. FOXTROT (GUEST)Spouse of Chief of Police of SGMP Land MS. ECHO (GUEST)Chamber of Commerce of SGMP Land 

DINNER SEATING

Podium

MG BRAVO

MAYOR CHARLIEMRS. BRAVO

MRS. CHARLIECOMMISIONER

ALPHA

CHAPLAIN DELTA

MRS. FOXTROT MS. ECHO

BASIC SEATING GUIDELINES

1. The position of honor is to the right. 2. Precedence, not gender determines the seating priority.

3. Round tables are preferred to rectangular tables to enhance conversation.

4. Speakers are best placed closest to the podium or stage.

5. In social situations where spouses are included, alternate men and women when possible.

6. Spouses are seated according to the precedence of the invited spouse.

7. Security, special needs, and physical limitations may dictate variables in seating.

In dining situations, my drinks areon my right and my bread plate is on my left.

Question 1

a) Trueb) False

Answer

In dining situations, my drinks are on my right and my bread plate is on my left.

a)True

Why are small bites of food betterto take than large ones?

Question 2

a) It is better for the digestionb) So that you can respond when spoken toc) So there is less chance to lose your food on its way to your

mouthd) All of the above.

Why are small bites of food betterto take than large ones?

Answer

d) All of the above.

a) pick it up, wipe it off, and use it anyway.b) pick it up, give it to the server, and ask him/her to bringyou another one.c) leave it on the floor and ask the server to bring youanother one.d) leave it on the floor and use your neighbor's fork whilehe's not looking.

Question 3

You are dining in a restaurant and youaccidentally drop your fork on the floor. You

c) leave it on the floor and ask the server to bring youanother one.

Answer

You are dining in a restaurant and youaccidentally drop your fork on the floor. You

How do you signal to the server that you are ready to order?

Question 4

Close your menu and place it on the table in front of you.

Answer

When leaving the table to go to the bathroomyou should place your napkina) on the left side of your plate.b) on the right side of your plate.c) on your chair.d) take it with you.

Question 5

When leaving the table to go to the bathroom you should place your napkin

c) on your chair..

Answer

How will the letters “b” and “d” (in that order) help you at dinner?

a. Bread on the left, drink on the right

b. They will remind you of good manners,or to “be docile”

c. They will remind you to alwayscompliment your host, “best dinner”

d. Beverage on the left, dessert on the right

Question 6

How will the letters “b” and “d” (in thatorder) help you at dinner?

a. Bread on the left, drink on the right

Answer

Say you’re eating a steak. How many bites should you cut at a time?

a. 1–2

b. 3 –4

c. 5

d. You will generally be excused if you cutthe entire steak, especially if your diningis informal

Question 7

Say you’re eating a steak. How many bites should you cut at a time?

a. 1–2

Answer

DO

Focus on the event, not the meal! Remember in an interview situation, the meal is part of the interview. Make eye contact continuously throughout the meal. Think about what you are saying before you say it. Utilize active listening when others are speaking at the table. Ask questions. Demonstrate your ability to converse effectively. Be confident!

DON’T

Have a cell phone, pager, etc. with you unless you are expecting an extremely important call and apologize if it rings. In this case, prepare everyone that you are expecting an urgent message. Interrupt, complain, or gossip. Everything you say reflects your personality. Talk with your mouth full. Apply makeup or pick at your teeth at the table. Excuse yourself to the restroom to do such things. Reach across someone to get something; instead, ask for food to be passed. Push your plates away from you when you are finished with the meal.

CONCLUSION

This is not all there is to dining etiquette. These are just some of the basics that one would need to know before dining with someone important. Whether it be a prospective employer, your boss, your co-workers or just an evening with a friend, you do not want to appear uneducated regarding dining etiquette. Keep in the back of your mind the essential elements given here and you will appear well rounded and professional.

QUESTIONS

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