Business Dining Etiquette Blunders – how to correct them

When it comes to business dining, you want to give an impeccable impression at the table, whether you’re the host or attending as someone’s guest. For example, everyone already knows that good table manners include to keep elbows off the table and not to talk with food in your mouth.

However, might there be some things you’re doing wrong at a business meal, and just aren’t aware of it?

The other day, an online article caught my eye called 10 Things You’re Probably Doing Wrong Every Day. I was curious, so I gave it a quick glance. Dispensing my Tic Tacs wrong. Really? Peeling my banana wrong. Seriously? I don’t think my Tic Tac dispensing or banana-peeling method will cause someone to get a negative impression of me.

However, in the world of business dining, there are definitely some things you might be doing wrong—that could cause others to perceive you in a negative way.

So, let me share with you 10 business dining etiquette blunders you might be committing at a business meal. And the good news is, I’ll also share the correct etiquette so you can avoid these blunders.

Business Dining Etiquette Blunders – and how to correct them:

1. Starting to eat before everyone at the table has been served. Proper etiquette: Wait until everyone is served before you start eating. And if there’s a table host, don’t begin until the table host begins.
2. Placing the napkin in your lap as soon as you sit down. Proper etiquette: At a non-hosted meal, wait until several others have sat down before placing it in your lap. At a hosted meal, the table host is first to place his/her napkin in the lap; guests then follow the lead of the host.
3. Holding your fork pirate-style and your knife like a dagger when cutting food. Silverware etiquette is one of the biggest mistakes I notice, and other diners also notice. Proper etiquette is to place the palm of your hand over the knife and fork handles, fingers curled under, except for the index finger which is used for leverage when cutting.
4. Cutting up most or all of their salad or meat at one time. Proper etiquette: Cut only 1 or 2 bites at a time.
5. Putting too much food on the fork when eating. Proper etiquette: Take small bites. This also allows you to join in the table conversation more easily.
6. Cutting the roll apart with a knife and buttering both halves. Proper etiquette: Break the roll in half with your fingers (not the knife!) and then butter and eat only one bite at a time.
7. Spooning the soup toward you. Proper etiquette: Soup is spooned away from you toward the center of the soup bowl and sipped from the side of the spoon.
8. Gang planking the silverware on your plate in between bites. Proper etiquette: Once you use the silverware, no part of it, such as the handles, should touch the table. Place the silverware in either “rest” position on the plate in between bites or “finished” position on the plate when you are finished with a course.
9. Discussing business too soon. Proper etiquette: To help build rapport, enjoy small talk until after ordering and the menus are removed. Then politely segue into the business at hand.
10. And lastly…Using poor napkin etiquette. Proper etiquette: Place it loosely folded to the left of the plate when finished. But, if there’s a table host, wait for the table host to do so first. Never blow your nose on it (yes, I see this way too often). And if you need to leave the table briefly during the meal, place it on the seat of the chair.

Bottom line: Making a good impression at a business meal is essential. If you’re not committing any of these dining etiquette blunders, hooray for you! You are obviously a polished diner. But, if after a bit of self-assessment, you discovered several faux pas you were making, now you know the proper etiquette to correct them. Bon appetit!

You might also like to read 5 Ways to Rock Your Dining Etiquette Right Now.

Rachel Wagner is a licensed business etiquette consultant, trainer, and speaker. She is the owner of the Oklahoma-based business etiquette firm Rachel Wagner Etiquette and Protocol. 

Rachel provides engaging training events on business and dining etiquette topics, one-on-one coaching, and keynote speaking. She has corporate clients from many industries around the country. As an etiquette expert, she is interviewed and quoted in a variety of local and national media outlets. These include The Washington Post, MONEY, Forbes, and many more. She is also credentialed as a Virtual Event Professional and Zoom Producer.

Image source: Rachel Wagner Etiquette and Protocol – copyrighted