1. WHOSE GLASS IS IT ANYWAY? Career Planning and Development

2. Meal Interviews  Why a meal interview?  Be prepared and ready BEFORE entering the situation.  Remember proper dress and interviewing skills.

3. Formal Dining…..

4. The Table Setting

5. Let’s Eat!!!

6. Dining Etiquette  Being Seated—Ladies first  Napkin Etiquette  Gristle  "Reading" the table setting  Utensils (American Standard)  Cutting your food  Let the host take the lead  Seasoning  Salt and Pepper=A pair  Ketchup is not “fancy”

7. Dining Etiquette, continued  Basic Table Manners & Table Linens  Proper passing. Pass from left to right.  Your bread is not a sponge…normally.  What happens to the last piece of bread?  Soup  Avoid cooling your food  Finger Foods  Avoid ordering foods that are messy or are hard to eat  Be polite and courteous to servers  When you are finished: Fork, knife, napkin.

8. American Style-Resting vs. Finished

9. THE MEAL IS NOT ABOUT ENJOYING YOUR FOOD, so…  “To go” or “Not to go?”  Refrain from special requests. Example: “lemons,” “items on the side,” “leave off the…….”  Cocktails, Mocktails, and Skinny Straws  Say no to alcohol  Cell phones, lipstick and toothpicks  Pace yourself: When to slow down, when to speed up.

10.  Signs of good etiquette and good manners:  Effective handshakes  Good eye contact  Proper introductions  Always pay careful attention to what others are saying  Smile, be at ease, self-confident, composed  Speak well of others (regardless of your true feelings)  Look directly at a person when speaking and always use respectful words

11.  When in doubt, follow the leader (the recruiter or host/hostess).  Excusing yourself.  Don’t call attention to yourself.  Be pleasant to all and thank the servers.  Don’t get so stressed about doing every little thing right that you sacrifice having a GOOD conversation.

12. The Bottom Line….. 1. Remember the purpose of the meal. 2. Follow the lead of your host or hostess. 3. Be discreet.

13. Questions, Comments? Tackling Table Manners Handout Additional Resources Tip Sheet