Business Dining Chapter 10

Chapter Overview: What to eat Handling alcohol Who will pay When you are the host At the table When your meal isn’t right Getting the attention of your server Universal terms of reference Dinner with the boss Dining at home with coworkers

What to Eat U.S. cuisine is incredibly varied and is influenced by food-preferences from all over the world. Business people understand that not everyone likes to eat the same things. Declining to eat certain things (“I don’t eat pork”) will not cause offense. Everyone else has something or other that they don’t eat.

Handling Alcohol Offering beer or wine at dinner time is common, much less common at lunchtime Above all, avoid appearing silly, “tipsy,” or downright drunk Never be afraid to refuse to drink (or to drink more than you planned)

Who Will Pay? Companies only pay (“reimburse”) for meals: With clients and recruiting candidates When away from home on business travel Between colleagues (peers) people: “Split the bill” or Take turns When a firm issues an invitation, the firm that invited is the one that is expected to pay.

When you are the host Begin by making clear who should be invited Spouses Level of meal expected Appetizers Full course meal

When You Are the Host Have suitable restaurants in mind: “Ethnic”—a special treat for out of town visitors “Special treat”—a high end restaurant designed to impress business guests “Cheap and efficient”—for lunches with colleagues and meals with job candidates Make reservations for 6 or more people May have to book 1 month in advance Be prompt; if you are delayed, call the restaurant

Correct Basic Table Setting

Formal place setting activity

Helpful tips FORKS b: Bread plate on left d: Drink on right F: fork O: plate shape R K: knife S: spoon b: Bread plate on left d: Drink on right

At the Table If you are presented with the wine list, rely on the choice of other people if they know more. In general, a guest is asked to order first. “What are you having?” is common among friends, but not so good in business Choose something less than the most expensive item on the menu Avoid anything unfamiliar or exotic You could be embarrassed if you don’t know how to eat it, or if it causes a stomach upset.

At the Table (continued) Even if you are served first, don’t start until other people do (or if the host says: “Please—go ahead!”) Follow other people in choosing the right implement If you make a mistake, the waiter should bring additional knives and forks—if not, ask: “And may I have another fork?” For unfamiliar ethnic food, ask the correct protocol Signal you have finished by placing knife and fork together at “4 o’clock” on the plate

At The Table Don’t talk while eating Most people do, especially Americans Lips should be firmly shut while chewing Don’t have elbows on table Hands should be kept in lap unless eating Not customary to take leftovers from business dining

Business dining etiquette in another country You will create a handout about dining etiquette from a country other than the U.S. You may work with a partner. You must include the following in your handout: Name of country/picture Size of meal compared to U.S. (business or in general) What you do if someone talks to you while you’re eating Where hands should be placed when at table When to start eating in business Proper table setting Any other business etiquette dining information

When Your Meal Isn’t Right Make a quick assessment—is it something you can live with? If not, you’ll embarrass yourself and your host by just picking at your food Quietly get the attention of your server, don’t be angry, explain what needs to be fixed Imply that the problem is yours, not the chef’s Don’t want to criticize the chef

Getting the Attention of Your Server Waiter will tell you their name & generally comes back to see how meal is If getting their attention, use their name if you remember it Direct eye contact with a questioning expression works well Choose your moment when to interrupt—not when the server is in the middle of taking orders at another table If the server doesn’t respond to eye-contact, the term to use is: “Excuse me!” (not “Miss!” or “Waiter!”) Let your server know if you are on a tight schedule Otherwise, the server will assume you don’t want to be rushed

Universal Terms of Reference Don’t refer to guests by their first names when speaking to waiters “Don here needs more water” Don’t use pronouns “She needs more butter!” Refer to others as “my guest,” “my friend,” or “my colleague.” These are universal terms of reference.

Dinner with the Boss Do some research (ask the boss’s assistant) Who will be there? How many people are being invited? What’s the dress code? If an invitation isn’t clear, ask whether you are expected to bring a “significant other.” If you don’t have a life partner, don’t bring a casual date. Don’t engage in “shop talk” (talking about work)

Dinner at Home with Coworkers Find out if it is a special occasion Seek some guidance on appropriate attire Ask: “May I bring something?” The host’s expectation may be anything from “nothing” to a “pot luck” in which the host is only providing the venue.