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Business professionals should be aware that how they look and present themselves to others could create lasting impressions. The concept of table manners playing a major role in business is somewhat hard to believe, but it does. It is important for business professionals to learn dining etiquette. The intention of this report is to gain knowledge on dining etiquette and the importance of it to business professionals. The information presented in this report will help managers to conduct proper business meetings over breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The focal point of this research is on dining etiquette and the proper way to function as a host or client using the appropriate table.
Duties of a Host
Lydia Ramsey says, “You are in charge. It is up to you to see that things go well and that your guests are comfortable. You need to attend to every detail from extending the invitation to paying the bill” (2001, p.22). When arranging a business meeting, the host should send out invitations at least one week before the dinner and three days before the lunch. Once the client has accepted the invitation, verify the appointment with the client. Lydia Ramsey says, “You are in charge. It is up to you to see that things go well and that your guests are comfortable. You need to attend to every detail from extending the invitation to paying the bill”
Restaurant
When choosing a restaurant a host should choose a restaurant, he or she knows. In addition to choosing a restaurant, inspecting the atmosphere of the restaurant for the noise level is important, clients must hear properly in order to conduct business. A host should conduct a meeting with the staff in advance to inform them that he or she are expecting clients and to come to an
Page 2 understanding on how the preceding should be handle. Arrive first to verify arrangements and to take care of last minute niceties such as seating arrangement and
Cited: Ball State University Career Center. Dining etiquette. Retrieved on February 17, 2009, from http://www.bsu.edu/students/careers/students/interviewing/dining/ Bremer, J. (2004). Dining etiquette for the fast-food generation. Retrieved on February 17, 2009, from http://www.bremercommunciations.com/Dining_Etiquette.htm Penttila, C. (2008). How rude! Entrepreneur, 36(5), p. 86. Ramsey, L. (2004). Sealing the deal over the business meal. Consulting to Management, 15(4), pp. 22-23.