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 Dining Etiquette Tips for Meeting Success
When hosting a business meal or function, certain codes of conduct in the planning and execution of the event are important to remember.
Scheduling meetings over a meal is common practice, whether it means taking a single client out to dinner or hosting a large business luncheon. There are certain guidelines and codes of etiquette both and your clients should follow before and during a business function to ensure its smooth execution.
Go with what you know. Forget about treating an important guest to a restaurant you haven't tried yet. Choose a place where your guest will feel most comfortable. Make sure that it is within a short driving or walking distance from your guest's office so it's convenient for him to get back to work on time. Consider your guest's likes and dislikes. You wouldn't want to take someone to a steak restaurant if they are a vegetarian. Find out ahead of time what kind of food your guest most enjoys and plan accordingly.
Choose your table in advance. Choose a table in a quiet location that will give you and your guests maximum privacy. Avoid tables situated next to the entrance, near the kitchen, or near the restrooms. If you are on a tight time schedule, call ahead and ask the server to put glasses of water, a basket of bread and a pitcher of iced tea on the table just prior to your arrival. If you are meeting for breakfast, ask the server to place a pot of coffee and assorted muffins on the table. Be sure to alert your server if you have to leave the restaurant by a certain time.
Pay the bill ahead. Guests should never be expected or feel obligated to pay, even for the tip, coat check, or valet parking. Settling the bill early with the server will avoid any uncomfortable situations like figuring the tip as your guests watch and wait for you.
Talk business later. Just because it's a business meal doesn't mean that work has to be the main topic of conversation the moment you sit down with your guests. In fact, it's customary to wait until after the main course, but before dessert, to bring up professional matters. The purpose of a business meal is to create and solidify relationships. It's about getting to know each other better on a personal level so that when you go back to the office, you can follow up and create a more solid relationship, so that business will follow. After the main course, you may want to excuse yourself and go to the restroom to check and see if you have any food in your teeth. When you return to the table, you will feel more comfortable talking business without any worries.
Don't overindulge. When ordering food, remind yourself that the emphasis should be on business, and therefore the food you order should be simple and easy to eat. Foods like large sandwiches, pasta in a red sauce, and baby back ribs should all be avoided. Don't drink in excess. If you are just dining with one guest and he chooses not to drink alcohol, you should decline also. If you are dining with several guests, you may enjoy one or two glasses of wine if your other guests decide to order wine.
Send your thanks. A gracious guest should always show appreciation by saying thank you. A handwritten note carries more weight than an email or a phone call, as it show that you put in some extra time and effort.
Etiquette is not about being stiff or stuffy. Like anything else, the more you practice good dining etiquette the more comfortable you will be and the more natural you will look and feel whether you're invited to a company holiday party or a board of directors' dinner.
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If you would like permission to reprint all or part of this article, contact Jacqueline Whitmore at info@etiquetteexpert.com.
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