Business dining etiquette is crucial and can help you make a tremendous impact in your business meeting.

It is often said that respect begets respect. This only goes to show the importance of the practice of business etiquette whether you are dealing with long-time or new-found clients as well as with your other business associates.

The corporate world is a host to a wide range of possibilities. Nowadays, many business opportunities no longer transpire within the four walls of the office. Many professionals conduct transactions over meals. Some of them are done while playing golf, during some special business functions, and during some entertainment events. Needless to say, the restaurants are among the common venues where contracts are signed and business deals are closed.

Here are five essential business dining etiquette tips that you should observe to set yourself up for the most successful outcome.

Arrive Early

Prior to the actual meeting itself, you have to come up with a schedule.

• Is it going to be at breakfast time?
• Is it at lunchtime?
• Or will you have dinner instead?

Whichever schedule you settle with, what is very important is that you arrive at the venue earlier than your client does. Don’t let your client wait for you. Being on time,  preferably ahead of time, is a sign of courtesy and respect. By arriving early you have more time to get settled, to use the restroom, to check your documents, to warm up with your dialogues, and anything else you need to do before your meeting.

Research

There are instances when it is the client who suggests the venue of the business meeting. If the place is unfamiliar to you, it is vital that you do your own research.

Check out the website of the restaurant, make phone calls, or ask other colleagues for directions and any other helpful tips regarding the venue.

Some restaurants are hard to find or the parking might be a little tricky. By asking around or doing a “dry-run” before you’ll be prepared and won’t be caught off guard.

It will also be helpful if you check out their menu beforehand, so that you already know what to order for yourself. Doing so will save you from wasting too much time.  Your guest, however should not be rushed.

To Drink or Not To Drink

Before the business meal itself, it is best to determine if it’s appropriate to order alcoholic beverages.  If you are not sure, ask others who know the individual. Of course, you have to know your own responsibility as you drink. More so, be sure that you know your own capacity to tolerate such alcoholic beverage.  As a “safe” rule-of-thumb, it’s best to refrain from ordering alcoholic beverages for breakfast and lunch meetings.  During dinner meetings it’s more acceptable to order a bottle of wine, that is if your guest will join you.  If your client or associate is not at all a drinker, then skip it.

Small Talk

What are you supposed to discuss for the meeting? You may start the conversation with some hints about sports, travel, business trends, current events, entertainment, etc. Small talk helps to set the mood of the business meeting. As soon as you feel that your guest is already settled, then it is appropriate to discuss the purpose of the meeting.

The Check

You may or may not be paying for the meal. However, there are times when the total amount of the meal may exceed that what you have previously expected. In times like these, your extra cash can save the day. It’s also worth mentioning that even though it is infrequent, not all restaurants accept credit cards or check payments!

Business dining etiquette is something that develops over time and you need to integrate it into your own style. Watch others, see what stands out – good and bad – and incorporate the good into your business dining etiquette SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). Proper manners impress clients and associates, you’ll come across as having charisma, and encourages long-term business relationships.

What business dining etiquette tips have work well for you?

5 Essential Business Dining Etiquette Tips is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

You might also like to read:

1. Business Etiquette Tips: What is the Proper Handshake Etiquette When Seated?
2. Dining Etiquette – European vs. American Dining Style
3. Dining Etiquette – The Basics

Dinning etiquette – it all begins with the invitation.

The second part of our series covers a very basic part to a dining engagement – the invitation.  If you didn’t catch part 1 you can read it here: Dining Etiquette – The Basics.

Not every dining event comes with a formal written invitation, many times the invitation is verbal and sometimes in the form a email (or text). However, especially when you are invited to someone’s home, you should still extend certain courtesies to your host – she will be very appreciative.

You don’t need to make it a big deal, but your hostess will appreciate your politeness and it will also convey your gratitude for being invited and the work she is putting into organizing the event. Basically there are 5 key points to remember when you are invited to a dining event.

5 key points regarding the invitation:

1. Make note of who the invitation is addressed to. If it’s only addressed to ‘you’, don’t ask if you could bring a guest.

2. Notice when you need to RSVP by, and RSVP by that date.

3. When you’re RSVP-ing communicate any special needs you have – ie. allergies, etc.

4. Record the time and date of the event in your calendar, set an alarm with the entry if you need to.

5. Wear the proper attire.  If you’re in doubt, ask the hostess to be sure.

That’s it, pretty easy huh? Five steps and you’ve mastered the etiquette of proper response to an invitation!  The video below goes over the five point a little more, so check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gw24_aeTAK0

Thanks for reading — Theresa

Dining Etiquette – The Invitation is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

You might also like to read:

1. Basic Dining Etiquette – Using Utensils
2. Dining Etiquette – European vs. American Dining Style
3. Dining Etiquette – The Basics

Dining etiquette and table manners are crucial for success.

As we have become a society of ‘Casual Fridays’ many people become casual in many other aspects also, like table manners. Many times in being casual, people end up being rude to coworkers or even customers and this could have long term impact to your success.

On the other hand some people have never had someone go over the skills of proper dining etiquette, so that’s where this series comes in. Over the next 16 (yes 16!) weeks a different part of dining etiquette will be covered. We’ll go over every component of the meal. And breaking it down to small chunks of information might seem a little much. However, if some parts are new information for you, little chunks will make it easier to become part of your normal routine.

I guarantee you that if you start using more of these skills in a business (and social) setting, people will notice your table manners. And that’s a great way to stand out from the crowd!

Check out the video below, so you can get an idea of the various parts of dining etiquette we’ll be covering over the coming weeks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jphKS5N3AR8

Thanks for reading – Theresa

Dining Etiquette – The Basics is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

You might also like to read:

1. Basic Dining Etiquette – Using Utensils
2. Dining Etiquette – European vs. American Dining Style
3. Dining Etiquette – The Invitation

Tipping – how much, when, who??  You want to show your appreciation for a service, but you don’t want to insult the person. How much is good? How little is insulting? You need a tipping guide.

The correct tip or gratuity for a service can be challenging at times. Your party might not realize it, but inside you may be doing a lot of guessing as you walk up to the Skycap or Valet. The challenge usually is not in  everyday situations, but when you are taken out of your regular environment. If you travel only occasionally, travel tipping (hotel and airport) etiquette can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be once you have some general guidelines.

The following recommendations should help. If service is outstanding, then use your own discretion.

Restaurant Tip Guides:
Waiter: 15% of the bill; 20% for extraordinary service
Wine steward: 15% of wine bill
Bartender: 10–15% of bar bill
Coat check: $1.00 per coat
Car attendant: $1.00 – $2.00

Hotel Tip Guides:
Maid: $5.00 per night
Room service: 15% of bill
Bell Cap: $3.00 minimum (luggage brought to your room), $1.00 extra per bag
Lobby attendant: $1.00 for help with luggage or finding taxi
Valet: $1.00 to park car or bring car to you

Travel Tip Guides:
Skycaps: $2.00 per bag
Limo driver: 20% of fare
Taxi driver: 15% of fare
Tour Guide: $1.00 – $2.00 per person

Just in case these amounts might seem generous, keep in mind that a lot of service positions depend on tips to supplement their regular pay.  People who have these positions work hard to make your restaurant, hotel, and travel experience pleasant. If they have done a good job, then show them your appreciation.

Hopefully these guideline help.  If you have any additional guidelines post them in the comments section or send an email.  Thank you for reading.

Tipping Etiquette Guidelines is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

You might also like to read:

1. Business Etiquette Tips: What is the Proper Handshake Etiquette When Seated?

Look sharp when dining out. Online Training at www.the-etiquette-and-dress-experts.com or www.styleforsuccess.com. Rated #1 by Wall Street Journal. Dates, business lunches, parties, weddings, special occasions… Don’t take a chance with your success! Popular with corporations, MBA programs, universities, business schools and anyone looking make a good impression and get ahead in their career and life. This online training can improve your dining skills immediately to make you – a success at the table for the rest of your life. Click on my channel style46s for more info

Duration : 0:2:25

Dining Etiquette – Table Manners is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

You might also like to read:

1. Basic Dining Etiquette – Using Utensils
2. Dining Etiquette – The Basics
3. Dining Etiquette – The Invitation

To view the next video in this series click: http://www.monkeysee.com/play/2253 In this video, etiquette expert Nancy R. Mitchell, The Etiquette Advocate, guides viewers through established rules and nuances of dining etiquette. Segments presented cover responding to an invitation; dos and taboos at table; navigating a place setting; use of utensils, including American vs. European styles of dining; eating various courses; toasting; and mastering challenging foods.

Duration : 0:5:20

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Basic Dining Etiquette – Using Utensils is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

You might also like to read:

1. Dining Etiquette – The Basics
2. Dining Etiquette – Table Manners
3. Dining Etiquette – European vs. American Dining Style

Did you know that there is a distinct difference between European and American dining style and etiquette? Image Consultant Kimberly Law explains how to master both.

Duration : 0:3:37

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Dining Etiquette – European vs. American Dining Style is an article from: Business Etiquette Basics. We invite you to stop by, we have more articles on career change and advancement.

You might also like to read:

1. Dining Etiquette – The Invitation
2. Basic Dining Etiquette – Using Utensils
3. Proper email etiquette with corporate comedian Greg Schwem