Graduate Business Etiquette Dinner

Transcription

1 Graduate Business Etiquette Dinner November 16, 2012

2 Etiquette is defined as the forms, manners, and ceremonies established by convention as acceptable or required in social relations, in a profession, or in official life. Common sense will typically be your best guide, but it is helpful to have some general ideas regarding dining and business etiquette. This handout will provide some basic information for your day-to-day experiences. When dining with a prospective employer it may be lunch or dinner, just remember that it is still business. The way you act during a meal will have an impact on an interviewer s hiring decision and your future. Greetings When meeting someone, rise if you are seated, smile, shake hands, and 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. Introductions Introducing people is one of the most important acts in business life, yet few people know how to do it. Introduce a younger person to an older person; introduce a nonofficial person to an official person; and in business introduce the junior to the senior. Be sure to explain who people are and use their full names. Also, do not assume that everyone wants to be called by his or her first name wait until you are told to do so. Nametags In many situations you will be wearing a nametag to identify yourself and your affiliation. Nametags serve an important purpose and should be worn on the right hand side of your front shoulder area. Do not clip nametags to the bottom edge of your jacket. Wearing the nametag on the right hand side of your shoulder immediately enables a person to see your name, particularly as you are shaking hands. If the nametag is worn on a cord around the neck, be sure to adjust the length so it can be easily seen without the other person having to look down. If writing your own nametag, write in large clear letters that can be easily read by others. Food/Drinks For instance, if there are no tables available, you should only have a drink or your food in your hand. If you are having a drink, hold it in your left hand. This will free your right hand to easily greet and shake hands with people. If you are eating, hold your plate on your right and eat with your left hand. You are able to switch the plate to your left hand and shake with your clean right hand when someone approaches you. If tables are available, having food and a drink together is appropriate. Nonetheless, always be prepared to stand and greet people.

3 There are two styles of eating, Continental and American. In the Continental style the fork is held in the left hand with the tines down. This works for meat and other foods that can be pierced. For other foods (mashed potatoes, etc.) the fork is held in the same manner and the food is placed on the back of the fork and transferred to your mouth. When resting, utensils may be placed on the plate as followed in the picture below. When dining in the American style (sometimes called the zig-zag style), cut meat with the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left hand. Then switch the fork to your right hand to eat the meat. (A left-handed person should use the opposite hands.) When finished with each course your knife (blade turned inward) and fork should be placed beside each other on the plate diagonally from upper left to lower right (11 to 5 if you imagine your plate as a clock face). This is a signal to the waiter that you are finished. Do not push your plate away. Networking Be sure to greet or introduce yourself to the host/hostess. Spend a few minutes conversing with them on topics that relate to the event or their business. To move on, you can politely say, I know you need to talk to your other guests Network with as many of the attendees as possible. Do not interrupt people but wait until they include you. Otherwise, wait until there is a break in the conversation in order to introduce yourself. To start conversations, ask the person something about themselves or their job. Many people enjoy talking about themselves which makes this a good way to start a conversation. Do not look around the room for your next contact as you carry on a conversation with someone. Focus eye contact on that individual and after some time has passed, politely excuse yourself to move onto someone else.

4 Punctuality Always be on time. If a delay is unavoidable, contact the person whom you have an appointment with. Due to unexpected conditions, such as heavy traffic, accidents, or other, always allow for extra time. You should particularly arrive at least 15 minutes before an interview. Cultural Courtesy As more business is being conducted in and with foreign countries, cultural courtesy is becoming very important. Show appreciation and respect for the differences between our country and someone else s by being aware of these cultural differences in etiquette. Be sensitive to their rules of etiquette. If you are traveling overseas while representing and American firm, be aware of the customs and culture of the country you are visiting. This can be very important in your business dealings. Research the customs and culture of the country with which you will have business transactions. Social skills can help us build more productive relationships. In today s society, one needs to prepare for a variety of encounter in both the business and social environments. When to start eating: In a restaurant: Wait until all are served at your table before beginning to eat. At a private dinner party: When your host or hostess picks up their fork to eat, then you may eat. Do not start before this unless the host or hostess insists that you start eating. I. Place Setting Tips on Table Manners a. The extra plates (i.e. the salad plate and the bread and butter plate) are to the left of your dinner plate. b. If a plate is to the right of your place setting, do not touch it. c. The glasses are to the right of your dinner plate.

5 II. Use of Special Utensils a. The Soup Spoon i. Always dip away from yourself. ii. Bring the spoon to your mouth. iii. Sip from the side of the spoon. iv. Avoid slurping! b. Salt and Pepper Shakers i. Always pass them together. ii. Never touch the tops of the shakers when passing them. iii. Always taste your food before using the salt and pepper shakers. III. Napkin Etiquette a. When there is a host or hostess, wait until he or she places the napkin in their lap before you place yours. b. When there is no host or hostess, place your napkin in your lap once you are seated. c. When you leave the table and plan on returning, place your napkin in your chair. d. When you leave the table for good, place the napkin loosely folded to the left of your place setting. e. Dab and pat your mouth often. IV. The Bread and Butter Plate a. Place your bread, butter, and jam on the plate. b. Break your bread in two, never cut it. c. Break off a bite-sized piece and spread the butter on one piece at a time, never butter a whole piece at once.

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