Business Meals Seal the Deal
While I’ve escaped on vacation, many of you have been preparing for this year’s interview season. During a call back interview, it’s likely you will be invited to attend a business lunch or dinner. If you want to land the job, nothing is more important than managing these meals successfully. So let’s brush up on a little dining etiquette.
Upon arriving at a restaurant, you and your party will likely be greeted by the restaurant maitre d’. He/she will show you to a table. Because you are the guest at this meal, go ahead and sit in any chair the maitre d’ offers. As soon as everyone is seated, the host or hostess should place their napkin in their lap. You should follow suit. If for some reason the host/hostess doesn’t touch their napkin, discretely move your napkin to your lap.
The maitre d’ may provide you with a menu. If not, wait staff certainly will. Wait staff will also ask for your beverage order. Especially at a business lunch, I stronly recommend you opt for water, ice tea or soda. Even at an evening meal, it’s best to skip the alcoholic beverages. Any exceptions to this rule? Sure, if the host or hostess specifically asks, "Would you like a glass of wine?" then you may go ahead. Whatever you do, at a business meal do not over imbibe.
Next, we’ll tackle menu selections.
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