- Show up on time. …
- Be polite to the wait staff. …
- Don’t take calls during the meal. …
- Dress for the occasion. …
- Remember there are things you just don’t do at the table. …
- Drink in moderation. …
- Always serve others before yourself. …
- Practice proper table manners.
Business Dinner Etiquette: Proper Manners for Dining with Clients
How to demonstrate proper business dinner etiquette
To demonstrate that you are aware of proper business dining manners, take the following actions:
1. Dress appropriately
The occasion and type of restaurant you are dining at have a significant impact on how you should dress. Business casual is typically the best attire choice for networking events or initial meetings with recruiters. Dress in your best formal attire for an interview or client meeting. Wear something appropriate for casual-dress days if your employer makes the occasion seem more relaxed.
2. Arrive on time
Keep the reservation time in mind and show up about five minutes early. Being a little early shows consideration for the host and their guests. Inform the server of your arrival if you are the first to arrive. This can assist the staff at the restaurant in getting your table ready earlier so the rest of the group can sit down and get going right away.
3. Make light conversation
Keep in mind who you are speaking with when deciding what to discuss. Discuss lighthearted topics like family or travel when dining with a stranger. For the majority of business dinners, subjects like religion, politics, and money may not be appropriate. When meeting new people in a work environment, it’s best to keep conversations positive and brief.
4. Remember the purpose of the dinner
Along with engaging in friendly conversation, keep in mind the purpose of your gathering. Make an effort to discuss your job at any networking events. Similarly, it’s crucial to steer the conversation toward the agenda in the invitation for an interview or client meeting. You might be able to start off with the important topics and then have a more relaxed conversation for the remainder of the meal.
5. Be seated properly
Make an effort to keep a straight posture after you’ve seated yourself for the meal. This entails maintaining a straight back and two planted feet. To ensure you are giving your neighbor enough personal space, keep your elbows at your sides and off the table. Utilize your place settings properly and tuck your napkin into your pillow. Here are a few things to know about place settings:
6. Eat when everyone gets their meal
In a restaurant with good management, the server serves everyone’s meal simultaneously. Even if this isn’t the case, waiting to eat until everyone has received their food is considered polite. You may take a few small bites until your host finishes their meal if they insist that you do so.
7. Be kind to your server
When youre interacting with restaurant staff, always be courteous. To do this, say “please” and “thank you” frequently during the meal. Give the server a sizable tip if you are covering the bill. Usually, 20% is the recommended tip size for a sit-down meal.
8. Follow your hosts lead
Numerous decisions you make may be influenced by what your host does. Its polite to wait to sit until they are seated. Similar to ordering, you can estimate your costs based on what they order. Avoid ordering alcohol if the host is only drinking water or soda.
9. Forget gendered customs
In the past, pulling out a chair for a woman was regarded as being chivalrous. This behavior is now perceived differently in the workplace as times change. There are other polite ways to demonstrate your manners besides removing someone’s chair. Regardless of a person’s gender, being kind to them includes things like opening doors for them, offering to fill their glasses, and striking up a conversation.
10. Show gratitude to your company
Make sure to express your gratitude to your host for inviting you after the meal. Let everyone know that you enjoyed eating with them as well. In networking scenarios, exchange contact information and business cards.
Why is business dinner etiquette important?
Business dinner protocol is crucial because it demonstrates your manners. Your demeanor at dinner can reveal a lot about you, including your personality and level of professionalism. Because this type of dinner is more formal than having a meal with friends, you can show off your social graces by adhering to the rules of etiquette.
Additional business meal etiquette tips
You can impress your employer, recruiters, clients, or anyone else you are dining with by using the advice below:
FAQ
When attending a business dinner you should always?
Where you should sit depends on the host or the person with the most experience at the table. When it’s time to start eating, take the host’s cue or the person sitting at the head of the table. Keep elbows off the table while eating. Elbows on the table are acceptable in between meals. Don’t talk with your mouth full.
How should a professional dinner behave?
- 1) Eat a little something ahead of time. …
- 2) Dress appropriately. …
- 3) Silence your cell phone. …
- 4) Plan to arrive on time. …
- 5) Shake hands with everyone. …
- 6) Store your stuff under your chair. …
- 7) Wait to sit until your host sits first. …
- 8) Place your napkin in your lap right away.
When at a business dinner you should talk business?
- Dress appropriately. …
- Arrive on time. …
- Make light conversation. …
- Remember the purpose of the dinner. …
- Be seated properly. …
- Eat when everyone gets their meal. …
- Be kind to your server. …
- Follow your host’s lead.
