What to Say
If you’ve been invited to a business lunch or dinner, there is an appropriate time to establish rapport and an appropriate time to talk shop. Use the time between being seated and placing your food order to connect socially. Once the wait staff has taken your order, you may initiate a business discussion without fear of interruption by a waiter who wishes to describe the daily special.
When connecting socially, be aware of the choice of topics you choose to discuss. Traditionally, we’ve been told to avoid certain topics, including religion, sex and politics. Today, such an admonition is completely impractical for anyone who is politically connected and finds these three taboo topics inextricably intertwined. Be aware instead of raising topics that clearly make others feel uncomfortable in what should be a relaxed atmosphere.
If you are the guest at a business meal, follow your host or hostess’s lead. Let them determine when the table’s attention is turned towards business. They may opt to delay any business discussion until the very end of the meal. They may even opt to avoid business talk altogether. That’s perfectly fine. Use that delay or avoidance to further enhance the personal relationship that you are building and silently repeat to yourself, “All business is personal . . . All business is personal . . . All business is personal.”
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