Etiquette in Business

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Table Etiquette

There are some simple guidelines that one should be follow when having a business dinner or lunch. Proper table etiquette will allow you not embarrass yourself. The following are basic guidelines to abide by:

- Do not sit down until you are invited to and told where to sit.

- Once seated, remove napkin, unfold and place on your lap (never inside your shirt or blouse)

- Do not begin eating until the host invites you to start

- The only time you’re allowed to begin eating before everyone else is in the case where hot dishes are being served and significant time has elapses between dishes, those who are waiting to be served, should urge others to go ahead.

- If you are confused as to where to start, always use your utensils outside-in

- When in doubt, watch what others are doing and emulate their behaviour.

- The fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

- When not eating, it is acceptable to keep your hands in your lap.

- If you’re leaving the table temporarily, fold and place your napkin to either side of plate

- At end of the meal, semi-fold napkins and place to the left of the place setting, place your knife and fork in a closing position (this position is displayed in the appendices).

- Always use utensils to eat (with the exception of a few food that are allowed to be eaten with the hands.

Food allowed to be eaten using your fingers include:

- Bread

- Cookies

- Some sandwiches

- Corn on the cob

- Artichoke

- Asparagus

- If you’ve placed something in your mouth that you’re not fond of and you’re unable to swallow you should use your napkin to "fake" wiping your mouth and subtly place the offensive item in your napkin

- Avoid talking with your mouth filled with food

- Do not reach over to table, instead if you need something ask the person closest to it if they may pass the item for you.

Appropriate Dinner Conversations

The following are topics that are appropriate to discuss at a business dinner:

- The food

- Current new stories

- The décor of the place

- Weather

- Traffic

- Family

- How one’s day was

Topics to Avoid

The following may be deemed as sensitive topics and inappropriate dinner topics and it is best to avoid them:

- Religion

- Politics

- Health issues

- Personal Issues/Topics

- Gossip

Professional Attire

Professional Attire for Men

Professional Attire for Women

- Dark suit (black, navy grey)

- Leather shoes & belt

- White long sleeve button-up shirt

- Tie

- Shoe & belt should be the same colour

- Keep a clean shave face and well-trimmed beard

- Clean, properly iron suit

- Clean, trimmed fingernail

What to Avoid

- No earrings

- Avoid jeans, t-shirts and sneakers (unless it is casual Friday and on these days there are still restrictions on the allowed clothing)

- Showing undergarments

- Visible tattoos

- Strong perfumes

- Pants or skirt suit; neutral colours (black, brown, grey, navy)

- Blouse

- Closed toe shoes

- Hair should be neatly combed

- Keep make-up minimal

- Keep accessories minimal

- Clean, properly ironed outfit

- Clean, trimmed fingernail

What to Avoid

- Avoid short, tight skirts

- Avoid dangling/sparkling accessories

- Avoid deep splits in skirts and dresses

- Avoid tops that show cleavage.

- Outlandish hair colours

- Avoid sheer or see-through clothing

- Visible tattoos

- Strong perfumes

Telephone Etiquette

- Avoid loud phone conversations in particular ones of a personal nature

- Speak directly into the mouth-piece so others can hear you

- Speak loudly and clearly

- Answer the phone promptly by the second ring, if possible

- The standard guideline for answering a call is “Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening, Name of office/company, this is your name. How may I help you today?

- If you must place a caller on hold, the hold should be brief

- Ask the caller if you may place him/her on hold

- Once you return from the hold, thank the caller for their patience and apologize for the hold time, especially if it was longer

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