Guest Etiquette at a Business Meal: 10 Ways to Impress

By Rachel Wagner
From The Savvy Professional, March 2010

As a guest at a business meal, it’s vital to be aware of your responsibilities and manners to help create an impeccable image of you and your company. Without proper guest manners, you risk leaving a blemish on your credibility and professionalism, which can reflect poorly on your company.

Here are ten ways you can stand out as a gracious guest at any business meal:

1. Respond to the invitation promptly. Whether you receive a formal invitation in the mail or a phone invitation, be sure to RSVP the same day or within 24 hours. Don’t cancel out once you’ve accepted for any reason other than a very urgent one. If you must cancel, personally phone your host as soon as possible.
2. Be on time. It’s rude to arrive late. If you are unavoidably held up, call the restaurant and have them inform your host.
3. When you arrive at the restaurant, greet your host warmly— —“Good afternoon/Good evening (host’s name)”---and give a firm, sincere handshake.
4. Allow your host to indicate where you should sit. There is protocol for guest seating. You do not want to be presumptuous and seat yourself in the wrong place.
5. Follow the lead of your host. Place your napkin in your lap after your host does. Do not begin eating a course until your host does. Do not take a sip of wine until the host does.
6. Get menu recommendations. Your host may give menu suggestions to indicate the limits of his or her hospitality. If not, do ask your host for a recommendation. You need not order the suggested items, but you will know what price range is acceptable.
7. Pace yourself with your host and the other diners at the table. Do not be the first or last one finished.
8. In business, the one who invites is the one who pays. If you try to reach for the bill, it will only create awkwardness. You can always do the inviting and the paying the next time.
9. Be sure to thank your host and shake hands when you leave the table or when you say good-bye at the door.
10. Send a hand-written thank you note to your host… if this is a first or infrequent business meal, or a special occasion dinner with a repeat host. Write the note as soon as you return to your office. You will stand out as a polished professional.

As a guest at a business meal, your manners and behavior nuances strongly affect your company’s image as well as your own. These tips will help you put your best foot forward!

Rachel Wagner is a certified corporate etiquette and international protocol consultant and founder of the business etiquette firm, Rachel Wagner Etiquette and Protocol. She trains leadership teams on the topics of business and dining etiquette to polish their professional presence and the image of their company. Rachel is active with the American Society for Training and Development and the National Speaker’s Association. She is author of a popular e-zine, The Savvy Professional, and is frequently quoted in the media. She can be reached by phone at 918.970.4400 or by email at Rachel@EtiquetteTrainer.com. Website: www.EtiquetteTrainer.com.