University Dining Etiquette Training

A prestigious degree is a door opener; however, a young executive must offer something more than basic technical knowledge. What sets your graduate apart from the rest? How would your students answer these simple questions?

• Is it appropriate to send a “thank you” via e-mail after a business meeting?


• Does it matter if a man or a woman initiates a business handshake?


• Who is expected to pay the bill at a business lunch or dinner?

Business relationships are developed in a variety of social situations, including power lunches, cocktail receptions and private dinners, fundraisers or even a rousing game of golf. Food and business are natural tablemates and knowing how to put others at ease is a corporate asset that can dramatically impact a company’s bottom line.

Polished executives are individuals who know the value of executive intelligence (social skills), and have taken the initiative to fine tune their skills. According to research done by Harvard University, Stanford University and The Carnegie Foundation, 85% of job success is based on a person’s ability to put others at ease, leaving only 15% of a person’s job success to technical knowledge.People Do Business With People They Trust.

Want to test your dining etiquette IQ? Take our dining etiquette quiz below:

Dining Interview Etiquette Quiz (True/False)

1. Upon arrival at the table it is good manners to immediately place your napkin on your lap.
   
   False. Follow the lead of the interviewer. When he or she places the napkin on his or her lap you may do the same


2. Spaghetti is a good menu choice.
   
   False. Spaghetti falls under the heading of “difficult to eat” foods. Select pasta that you can eat in one to two bites such as penne or bow tie pasta.


3. The bread plate is always on the left and the water glass is always on the right side of the dinner table.
   
   True. Solids are on the left and liquids are on the right.


4. A woman’s handbag may hang conveniently from the back of her chair.
   
   False. A woman’s handbag belongs off the table and chair. Place the handbag on the floor, underneath the table. A small wallet or purse may rest on a woman’s lap with her napkin placed on top to cover it.


5. A man may take off his suit coat at the table to give the impression of feeling “at ease”.
   
   False. It is most professional to leave your suit coat on during a lunch or dinner interview.


6. Food is passed clockwise around the table.
   
   False. Bread, salt and pepper and other food items are passed around the table counterclockwise.


7. When temporarily leaving the table, place your napkin on the left side of the plate until you return.
   
   False. The napkin is placed on the seat of your chair when leaving the table temporarily. It is only placed on the table at the end of the meal, left side of the plate or center of an empty place setting.


8. Carefully spit out pits, seeds and other foreign objects from your mouth onto the tines of your fork.
   
   False. Remove most foreign objects from the mouth with the index finger and thumb while the other hand covers the unsightly act. Place the object discreetly on your plate, preferably under another piece of food.


9. If your interviewer offers an alcoholic beverage during the interview, only agree if the interviewer orders the same.
   
   False. The only appropriate answer to the offer of an alcoholic beverage during a job interview over a meal is “No thank you.”


10. It is not necessary to thank the server every time he or she brings food or beverage to the table.
    
    True. Although it is polite to occasionally acknowledge your server your main focus of attention should remain on the interviewer and the interview.


11. When the interviewer pays, it is customary for you to leave a tip.
    
    False. The person that requested the meeting also is responsible for the tip.


12. A toothpick should never be used until the meal is completely over.
    
    False. Bypass the toothpick holder. It is never professional to clean your teeth with a small stick.


13. A woman stays seated when being introduced to the interviewer or other executives at the dining table.
    
    False. It is always important for a woman to stand up for any type of business greeting.


14. If you are left with a plate full of food at the end of the interview you may ask for a doggie bag.
    
    False. Forego asking for a doggie bag during a business lunch or dinner.


15. Before departing it is always a good idea to ask for your interviewer’s business card.
    
    False. A junior executive does not ask a senior executive for a business card. Take the time to research the interviewers address and title without asking for his or her business card.

©2009 The Protocol School of Texas
For permission to reprint or reproduce all or part of this information, please contact Diane Gottsman at
dg@psotx.com.