Advice for Students

Dining Etiquette: Top Ten Tips for Business Success

Understanding and possessing proper dining skills is vital in today’s business world. Many important business meetings take place outside of the office and conducted at a restaurant over a meal. People equate poor dining manners with poor business practices.  Good table manners allow you to concentrate on the important task of any business meal – and that is to participate.

Next time you attend a business event that takes place over a meal, apply the following ten “do’s and don’ts” to ensure you leave a positive first impression and create an opportunity to build business relationships.

Do’s:

• Avoid talking with your mouth full. Take small bites as you will find it is easier to answer questions or join in table talk.
• Wait until you have swallowed the food in your mouth before you take a sip of your beverage; however, if the food is too hot, take a quick sip.
• Understand the table setting. Your bread plate is to the left of your dinner plate and your water glass to the right. Use your utensils from the outside in.
• Place your napkin on your lap as soon as you sit down. If you leave for a few moments during the meal, place your napkin on your chair. When you leave at the end of the meal, leave your napkin to the left of your dinner plate.
• Do leave your plate whee it is when you have finished eating, with the knife and fork in the 10:20 “I am finished” position. Place the tips of the utensils at 10 and the handles at 4.
• Do look into, not over, the cup or glass when drinking.
• Never butter a whole piece of bread. Take some butter and place it on your bread plate. Use the butter knife if one is available. Break a bite-sized piece off your bread and hold it on the corner of the bread plate while you butter.
• Soup bowls should be tilted away from you and the soup spoon pushed from the front to back to catch a mouthful. Tip the soup into your mouth from the side of the spoon; don’t try eating with your spoon at 90 degrees to your mouth.
• Do remember your posture at the table.  Sit up straight, and keep your arms (including elbows) off the table.
• Do leave dropped silverware on the floor. Quietly signal the waitstaff to bring another piece.

Don’ts

• Never start eating before a signal from the host to do so.
• When eating, don’t overload your fork
• Don’t mop your face with your napkin.
• Don’t spread your elbows when cutting food. Keep them close to your sides when eating.
• Don’t chew with your mouth open.
• Don’t smack your lips or make loud eating noises such as slurping.
• Don’t reach across the table or across another person to get something.  If it is out of reach, ask the closest person to pass it to you.
• Don’t pick your teeth at the table, either with a toothpick or with your fingers. If something gets caught in your teeth, excuse yourself and take care of the problem in the privacy of the restroom.
• Don’t push your plate away from you when you have finished eating.
• Don’t gesture with your fork, knife or spoon in your hand. If you are not using the utensil, put it down.