And let’s face it, you will be judged by your behavior. Potential employers, customers and upper management aren’t just watching you for the proper use of the dessert fork; they are observing your social savvy, self-confidence and ability to handle conversations. By learning the correct business dining manners you will feel more confident, self-assured and comfortable when conducting business during any meal function.
This quote from Oscar Wilde it says it all – “The world was my oyster, but I used the wrong fork.”
Do’s
· Enter and exit on the same side of the chair.
· Place the napkin on your lap when seated. Etiquette dictates that the hostess should do this first at a formal dinner.
· Have good posture at the table, no slouching.
· Treat servers politely and with respect.
· Know which bread plate and water glass is yours. The easy way to remember this is to think of the car BMW. When seated, your Bread is on the left, your plate is in the Middle and your Water is on the right.
· Be ready with your selection when everyone else is ready.
· Know all the types of utensils.
· Use the utensils properly. Hold your fork and knife correctly.
· Wait until you have swallowed the food in your mouth before you take a sip of your beverage.
· Look into, not over, the cup or glass when drinking.
· Take a sip of water if a bite of food is too hot.
· Butter bread on the plate, never in midair.
· Leave dropped silver on the floor. Quietly signal the wait staff to bring another piece.
· Point out to your waiter bugs or hair in your food. Do it in a non-combative manner.
· Remove an object such as a bone or gristle from your mouth with your thumb and index finger and place it on the rim of your plate.
· When finished, place your fork and knife in a parallel line at the 10 and 4 o’clock positions with the fork on left and knife on right or top.
· Leave your plate where it is when you have finished eating.
· Place your napkin on your chair if you leave for a few minutes.
· Place your napkin on the left when you have finished and are leaving the table.
· Thank the host.
Don’ts
· Start the conversation on business. Begin with small talk.
· Order something if you don’t know how to eat it.
· Order something that is difficult or messy to eat such as BBQ spare ribs.
· Overload your plate when serving yourself; from a buffet or being served family style.
· Mop your face with your napkin.
· Spread your elbow when cutting meat. Keep them close to your sides.
· Chew with your mouth open.
· Smack your lips.
· Touch your face or head at the table.
· Tip up the glass or cup too much when drinking. Keep it at a slight angle.
· Reach across the table or across another person to get something. If it’s out of reach, ask the closest person to pass it to you.
· Pick your teeth at the table, either with a toothpick or your fingers. Excuse yourself if something gets caught in your teeth and remove it in the privacy of a restroom.
· Push your plate away from you when you’ve finished eating.
· Gesture with your knife, fork, or spoon in your hand. If you’re not using a utensil, put it down.
· Talk about your personal food likes and dislikes while eating.
· Eat your neighbor’s bread or salad. A right-handed person reaches to the left across the dinner plate to eat salad.
· Lick your utensils or fingers. People really do this!
· Groom at the table. Use the restroom to comb your hair, put on lip stick, etc.
· Talk with your mouth full.
· Make negative comments on the food or restaurant that was selected.
Learn these Do’s and Don’ts. They must become a natural part of your behavior. Practice at all meal functions: home, business and social until you no longer have to think about what is correct.
Remember, it takes 5 seconds to make an impression, 21 days to start a new behavior and 100 days for the new behavior to become automatic.
When we act well, we do well.
Good luck and bon appétit!
