Business Dining Etiquette

Business dining etiquette slightly diverge from social dining etiquette. The goal of the business dining etiquette is to impart order but at the same time to allow the conduct of business. The rules are not as strict and take into account gender equality. The many requirements of a male diner are not as stringent in the business arena. For example a male worker does not have to help a female in or out of her chair, a female host is allowed to pay the bill.

Familiarise yourself with the business dining etiquette and have a pleasant meal.

30 Business Dining Etiquette Rules

1. Be punctual, being late is bad manners (you will have to join the course everyone is eating, if everyone is finishing their meal you will only order dessert with everyone)
2. Make sure you introduce yourself to everyone present
3. Shake hands; extend your right hand, firm not strong hand shake, never soft or with fingers alone, your whole palm
4. The Host/Boss will have the table set the proper way with the help of the restaurants maitre d’ before guests arrive
5. Host should arrive before guests
6. The host will arrange the seating place cards for guests to avoid disorder
7. When the number of guests is an odd number a round table is called for, the etiquette is to avoid having an empty space next to one of the guests
8. The seat on the right side of the host is for the most important guest (CEO, president, senior client, client from another country…)
9. The seat on the left side of the host is for the second most important guest
10. The third most important guest will sit to the right of the most important guest
11. If guests are all of equal rank, the seating etiquette is to alternate between male and female guests
12. While waiting for guests at the table the host will not order food or drinks
13. Hosts stands when guests arrive
14. Maitre D’ will show guests to their table (maitre D’ walks first followed by guests followed by host if host is waiting in lobby and not at the table)
15. Sit in the place the host has assigned for you or look for place cards when it is a big event, do not sit until host is sitting
16. Do not forget to place your napkin on your lap wait for host to place their napkin first (lunch napkin is smaller you can open the whole napkin and place it on your lap, dinner napkin is larger so place it on your lap folded in two the open side of the napkin is placed towards you)
17. When ordering; always follow host, if host has not ordered first ask host for what they suggest, never order more than the rest of the group
18. Do not delay the dinner by asking the waiter too many question, have an idea of what to order before hand, never order the most expensive or least expensive item on the menu
19. Do not order alcohol unless the host is also ordering
20. If host asks you to choose a wine bottle and you are a connoisseur go ahead and order, again do not order the most or least expensive, if you are not an expert ask the host for suggestions or the waiter/ sommelier for advice, do not guess, it is perfectly acceptable not to know and it shows character to admit you do not know
21. Follow formal dining etiquette during the meal (soup etiquette, bread etiquette, eating style, table manners)
22. Eat at the same pace as everyone
23. If you are familiar with both styles of eating and cutting (American or European), follow the style the group is using
24. Never leave before the meeting dinner is over
25. No phone calls at the table
26. If you are a smoker and can no longer wait, excuse yourself without saying anything and go outside for a very short break
27. If you need a bathroom break excuse yourself and leave without giving any other explanation
28. Always be polite with the restaurant staff and with your colleagues
29. The host is in charge of the bill
30. Always thank the host and shake their hand before leaving