Dining Etiquette

1
Professional Selling 9
Dining Etiquette Lunch is the most common meal
for business When and how to refuse a drink
You can refuse to eat some things Payment
should be determined before eating Who
invited? Who is making the profit?
Introductions are important More important to
less important (they cue)
2

• Become a Regular Customer
• Steer your business to a few reliable
  restaurants.
• Make reservations, cancel them when necessary,
  and call ahead if the number of diners changes.
• Call ahead if you are going to be late.
• Learn the names of the managers or owners.
• Explain your needs.
• Tip generously (1520).
• Bad service-dont embarrass, tell service manager

3
The Place Setting
4
Meal Etiquette Wait until everyone has been
served to eat If someone leaves, eat hots, wait
on colds Close your mouth while eating Once
the napkin leaves the table, it never returns
Things enter from the left and exit to the
right If something is close to you, offer
right, pass left Dont be afraid to correct a
mistake, but do so gracefully and tactfully, say
Excuse me . . .
5
Meal Etiquette When ordering, avoid
appetizers, let host lead Bread is not an
appetizer Dont order too much, dont ask for
it to go Hands and forearms are ok, follow
others lead Stand if someone leaves, ask
permission for you No sharing food, makeup,
hair, toothpicks If a guest, within 24 hours,
no more than 48 What if others are not following
rules of etiquette?
6
Gift Giving For functions/special
occasions Give a gift to the host Small token
gifts (consumables) Gifts after the fact For
business Large gifts and money are not
acceptable Gifts with your companys logo are
good Be familiar with companys gift giving
policy
7
Conventions and Trade Shows Have a plan, and
divide the work Beware of disclosing company
secrets by idle gossip with competitor
firms Avoid any discussion of pricing with
competitorseven silence has been taken as
concurrence with price-fixing that is highly
illegal
8
Dating Co-workers Just dont make comments about
personal appearance at work Repeated requests
for dates and unwanted comments, can lead to
sexual harassment charges Firms may have strict
policiessee HR Beware of quid pro quo Its
best to avoid relationships at work
9
Personal Business Theres a fine line between
friendly support and being drawn into the
burdensome role of confidant You can be helpful
(covering work, explaining absences to
co-workers) but avoid being drawn in too
close Refer distressed colleagues to an EAP or
HR When you must be absent, supervisors get
reasonable explanations, not co-workers