Business Dining Etiquette

Dining Etiquette

never get a second chance to make a first impression. And in this fast-food era,
eople have forgotten or were never taught the fundamentals of dining etiquet
Which way should I pass? Which fork is mine? What do I do with my napkin?
anners play an important part in making a favorable impression. They are visibl
of your manners and, therefore, are essential to professional success.
Whether you are having lunch with a prospective employer or dinner with a busin
associate, your manners speak volumes about you.

Introductions
When meeting someone
rise if you are seated.
smile and extend your hand.
repeat the other persons name in your
greeting.
A good handshake is importantit should
be firm and held for three to four seconds.
In todays 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.

Silverware

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.

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.

DINING DONTS

5. Holding your fork as if it were a pitchfork. Youll look like you just came
out of a cave. Also, when you are speaking, keep your utensils down.

EXERCISE 1

I need 8 volunteers
--I need each of you to take the plates, glasses and silver provided
and 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.

SEATING
Seat 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
CHAPLAIN DELTA

MRS. FOXTROT

MS. ECHO

COMMISIONER
ALPHA

MRS. CHARLIE

MAYOR CHARLIE

MRS. BRAVO
MG BRAVO

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.

Question 1

a) True
b) False

Answer

In dining situations, my drinks are on my right and my bread

plate is on my left.
a)True

Question 2

a) It is better for the digestion

b) So that you can respond when spoken to
c) So there is less chance to lose your food on its way to your

mouth
d) All of the above.

Why are small bites of food

Answer

d) All of the above.

Why are small bites of food

Question 3
You are dining in a restaurant and you
accidentally drop your fork on the floor.
You

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 bring
you another one.
c) leave it on the floor and ask the server to bring you
another one.
d) leave it on the floor and use your neighbor's fork while
he's not looking.

Answer
You are dining in a restaurant and you
accidentally drop your fork on the floor. You

c) leave it on the floor and ask the server to bring you

another one.

Question 4

How do you signal to the server that

you are ready to order?

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

Question 5
When leaving the table to go to the
bathroom
you should place your napkin
a) on the left side of your plate.
b) on the right side of your plate.
c) on your chair.
d) take it with you.

Answer
When leaving the table to go to the
bathroom you should place your napkin
c) on your chair.
.

Question 6
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 always
compliment your host, best dinner
d. Beverage on the left, dessert on the right

Answer
How will the letters b and d (in that
order) help you at dinner?
a. Bread on the left, drink on the right

Question 7
Say youre eating a steak. How many bites should you cut at a
time?
a. 12
b. 3 4
c. 5
d. You will generally be excused if you cut
the entire steak, especially if your dining
is informal

Answer

Say youre eating a steak. How many bites should you cut at a
time?
a. 12

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!

DONT
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
?