Etiquette Style and grace will boost your competitive edge. Know the guidelines!
What is Etiquette? A set of rules that govern the expectations of social and dining behavior in a workplace, group or society. Table manners are visible signs that you are a polished and knowledgeable professional. Displaying manners is an act of kindness and respect to your fellow human beings.
The Basics Good Manners come from the inside and do not change Etiquette Rules come from the outside & are always changing Knowing the ”rules” is essential because it puts you in the position of knowing when it’s appropriate to bend them. A persons feelings are always more important than strictly adhering to the rules.
Meet and Greet
The Handshake Firm but don’t crush anyone’s bones Hold for 3-4 seconds
The proper shake... Involves eye contact Is firm but painless Lasts about three seconds Takes only two or three pumps Starts and stops crisply Doesn't continue through the entire introduction Begin with your fingers together and your thumb up. Shake hands web to web, with a firm but not crushing grip. Keep your fingers together and your thumb up. Slide the web of your hand all the way to the web of the other person's hand. Otherwise, he or she ends up shaking hands with your fingers. Also, shaking web to web effectively prevents the other person, no matter how strong, from crunching your knuckles. Never offer only your fingertips, causing a weak, limp handshake. Never offer only your fingertips, causing a weak, limp handshake.
The Art of Introducing People
Make sure you do it even if you forget names, get confused, etc. Explain who people are “Mr. Smith, I would like to present my daughter Cindy. Cindy this is Mr. Smith, the President of our company.” Always stand.
More Examples of Introductions “Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, I would like to introduce to you a fellow executive from Salisbury University, John J. Seagull. John, this is Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, good friends of my parents.” When introducing a stranger to your group, you should interrupt the group and welcome the new member
Names? If you can not remember, admit your lapse If you can remember other aspects about the person, talk about those first If other people have forgotten your name, don’t make them suffer. Tell them. If you have to stop and think if you should use a person’s first -- don’t! Younger person should wait for the ok from an older person to use a first name
Cell Phone Etiquette Use common sense Respect those who share the space around you Many establishments are now setting rules Use the vibrate option when in close setting Be discreet and consider time as a factor-don’t draw out a conversation when talking to someone else
Etiquette Points Use “please” and “thank-you” and always be polite to the wait staff. Remember: the main point of the cocktail party/meal is the social experience or the interview, not the food. Always send a thank-you note for the interview and the meal.
Smile! Smile- it is the ultimate gesture understood by all!
Dress for Success
Don’t Wear This!
Wear This
Dining Etiquette
Receptions/Networking Events Keep these in mind: –Why are you there? –What is your priority? –Is the booze worth the risk of blowing your opportunity?
Dining Etiquette Should begin the minute you walk into a dining event Should emphasize people and interaction rather than the food itself Should make a favorable impression Reflects on the company you represent – or your competency as a business person
What stuff is mine? Solids to the left – Liquids to the right –“b”read and “d”rink Pick up silverware from the outside in – toward your plate
Napkin Use Place your napkin on lap after every-one has been seated. Fold your napkin in half with crease toward you. Use your napkin as necessary. Place your napkin on left side of plate or on your chair when temporarily leaving table. Leave napkin in lap until everyone is finished.
Starting Start only when everyone every one else has been served. Buffets are the exception Offer to others to begin eating if your food is the only order not yet served Always offer to pass bread, salt and pepper, butter and other condiments nearest you
Passing Food Pass Food -If it is in front of you Pass to the right. (Counter clockwise) Pass salt and Pepper TOGETHER –Don’t salt your food before you taste it-shows you make hasty decisions
Managing Bread and Rolls Do not serve yourself bread Pick it up and offer it to the person on your left, then serve yourself and pass to the right Put butter first on your plate, not directly onto your bread. Butter wrappers- Eat rolls by tearing off bite size pieces and buttering only one piece at a time. Mopping up-NOOOO
Managing Soup-How to eat Hold spoon with thumb across the top of the handle. Take soup spoon AWAY from you rather than toward you. Sip from the side of the spoon, not front. To get the last bit of soup, tilt the bowl away from you - …the Tug boat goes out PLEASE, Do not blow
Managing Soup & Crackers Placing crackers: –in soup when home alone with blinds closed –Except: oyster crackers placed in chowder –other crackers should be eaten with soup--not IN soup
No, No’s Don’t push your plate or chair away unless you are getting up from the table Don’t rearrange or stack your dirty dishes Never tilt your chair Don’t ask people where they are going when they get up from the table If you belch, excuse your self to no one particular Don’t chew ice or other inedible parts of the meal
Yes, Yes’s Need to get something out of your mouth- use your tongue & fork When in doubt, use a utensil rather than your fingers Hair in your food- don’t spoil someone else’s meal by talking about it Food in teeth, blow nose, rearrange hair- go to the restroom Food in someone else’s teeth- let it go if you can not be completely subtle Don’t like your meal- who cares- tell the host you do!
Words to the Wise Nothing that touched your mouth should ever directly touch the table If you spill something don’t make a big deal about it- offer to pay for cleaning If you decide to pass on food being offered, simply say “No Thanks”- no explanation is needed Learn to try new foods when you have the opportunity- you may be confronted with unfamiliar choices in the future
When You Are Finished Lay your fork and knife (sharp side of knife inward), at the 4:00/10:00 position. Leave plate where it is – don’t push it away. Used napkin goes next to your plate, not on top of the plate. Do not ask for a doggy bag or a toothpick.
Ready, Set…. Drink Ordering Alcohol- –When in the company of strangers, follow the lead of the host if it is appropriate or not to order Wine- –White Wine glasses are held by the stem, as not to diminish the chill –Red Wine glasses are help by the bowl, the warmth of the hand release the bouquet Sugar Packets- –Limit the number of packets used –Place trash under saucer or tucked under placement
Going Through Doors Our grandparents were taught that ladies should always walk through the door first-not so in today’s workplace Whoever arrives at the door first, should open it for the other person However, younger executives should defer to older, senior executives and get to the door first to hold it open