People’s behavior around the dining table reveals a lot about their character, which is why a lot of business tycoons and company recruiters tend to use business dining as a means of getting to know the people they’re interested in doing business with.
It’s imperative to be aware of proper business table manners and etiquette so that when you’re having a business dinner with a recruiter or a potential business partner, you’re able to leave a good impression.
In this post, we shed light on the most important business table manners and etiquette so that you can implement them in your upcoming business dinner.
Dress With Purpose
One of the most important aspects you should be mindful of when planning for your upcoming business dinner is your clothing. You have to make sure that you dress appropriately and with purpose.
What should you dress? Well, it all boils down to the context of the whole occasion. To ensure wearing the appropriate attire, you want to identify the host and take clues from them.
For example, if you’re meeting someone that represents a tech startup, you want to dress a bit more casual than you’d dress if you were to meet someone from a financial firm.
We strongly recommend opting for business casual for most of your business dinners, as it’s a perfect visual blend between professional and casual.
Another thing you can do to ensure dressing appropriately for your upcoming business dinner is to look up the place at which you’re having dinner and dress according to the vibe you’re getting from the place. If you’re not quite sure, we recommend overdressing rather than underdressing.
Plan to Arrive on Time
First impressions last forever, and it’s imperative that you leave the impression of someone who knows and respects the value of time; yours as well as other people’s, which is why you need to plan and make all necessary arrangements so that you can arrive on time.
Better yet, try being at the venue a few minutes early, to be safe. If you’re going to be late, make sure you give the host a call and let them know. If the host is one that’s late, don’t call them right away. Give yourself 10-15 minutes before giving them a call to check on them.
Eat a Little Beforehand
Avoid going to business dinners with an empty stomach because you’ll likely pay less attention to what’s being said and more attention to the food. Keep in mind that business dinners aren’t actually about having dinner. It’s simply a way to get to know the people you’re doing business with.
We recommend having a small bite before heading out to your business meeting. It could be a protein bar, some crackers, a fruit, or anything that can keep the hunger at bay without making you full.
It’s All Work-Related
We feel the need to say that business dining isn’t an hour or two with the boys. Think of it as an extension of your workday. Yes, it’s less hectic and more enjoyable, but it’s entirely about work.
We’re saying this to say that you should be at ease when in such meetings, but not too at ease that you ignore the main objective of business dining, which is to do business and to come out of that meeting with a useful venture.
Silence Your Phone
There’s nothing worse than to be making progress with a business partner or recruit when the phone suddenly interrupts your progress with constant ringing. Make sure to silence the phone before entering the venue. Don’t even set it to vibrate, as that can be as disturbing as a ringing cell phone.
Shake Everyone’s Hands
Good eye contact and a firm handshake will help you set an excellent first impression amongst the people you’re meeting with. If it’s your first time meeting those people, you should introduce yourself as you’re shaking their hands.
As you’re introducing yourself to everyone, be sure to remember everyone’s name, especially the host, so that when it’s time to direct your speech towards someone in the meeting, you don’t waste time trying to remember their name, which can be quite awkward.
Don’t Sit Before the Host
It’s highly recommended that you remain standing until the host has taken a seat. If there isn’t a host, then be sure to sit after the seniors have taken a seat out of respect. Please keep in mind, however, that in some countries, the host waits for everyone else to sit down before they take a seat, so figure out which approach works best in your country.
Don’t Order Any Alcohol
When at a business dinner, avoid ordering any alcoholic drink. You can order any non-alcoholic options such as iced tea or club soda with lemon. The latter is a very favorable option because it indicates that you’re okay with having an alcoholic drink in different circumstances.
If you feel like having an alcoholic drink like a beer or a glass of wine, say it and see if the host is willing to participate. If not, then don’t go overboard with the drinking. Limit it to one beer or a single glass of wine. Also, avoid drinking too fast.
Be Mindful of Your Order
When making an order, there are two things you want to avoid. First, avoid ordering the costliest item on the menu. Secondly, avoid ordering food that’s too troublesome to eat. Keep it simple by ordering foods that are easy to eat such as salads, fish, chicken, and so forth. Steer clear of the burgers, lobsters, or any other finger foods.
Further, you want to avoid foods that are dipped in too much sauce as well as foods that easily get stuck in the teeth such as broccoli or spinach
Final Thoughts
There you have it, the most important business table manners to keep in mind while having an important business dinner. The above-mentioned tips will help you set an ideal first impression amongst your business partners and they’ll ensure a pleasant business dining experience.
