There is a low chance you will fail Organic Chemistry class because of using an inappropriate fork for your salad. Such strict etiquette rules are obviously outdated and belong to the past already. But on the other hand, the set of skills that may help you behave appropriately during a faculty dinner or a networking lunch differs dramatically from the skills you will need to order something from Uber Eats or to eat your favorite ramen. Your professional reputation depends on your manners.
So, how are you going to do that? First of all, we have to abandon the concept of etiquette implying strict rules. Etiquette means comfort of your dinner guests. If your guests feel comfortable, everything will be fine. Think of it as of the social lubricant without a terrible aftertaste.
The first thing is about your smartphone. Of course, we are all used to feeling vibrations in our pocket and responding to them. But it is nothing else than a black hole of your credibility in a professional environment. You better place your smartphone face down or hide it altogether – anything is better than showing that your mom is more important to you than your guest and their tenure review.
Secondly, think thoroughly about the ordering process if the host pays for you. It would be a bad idea to order the most expensive steak in the menu unless your host insists. Also, do not forget that it is important to order food that will not be difficult to eat – imagine eating spaghetti with ribs while talking about your theories about the economics of supply chain management.
Once the food is delivered, it would be a good idea to wait for a minute. We all know those guests who start eating immediately and spend next ten minutes blowing on their tongue. Wait a little so that it cools down. Besides, it is important to follow the pace of other guests – it is rather unusual to finish your burrito and stare at their plates while they are still eating.
The position of the bread plate is not important anymore. There are just two important things here – if you take bread from your neighbor’s plate, just apologize for that. And the main rule of the whole business is not to perform any gestures with cutlery. Nobody wants to see your passion about your research embodied in waving forks.
Passing dishes is the way to make a good impression. The universal standard is to pass to the right. If somebody asks you for the salt, also pass the pepper. That simple gesture will show that you are forward-thinking person – and that is what hiring committees like.
Handling dietary restrictions may be challenging in this situation, but it does not have to be. If you are vegan or gluten-free, tell the host about it when you are ordering your meal without providing a detailed explanation about your digestion problems. If you are a host, you may simply ask your guests about their potential allergy prior to invitation.
When it comes to payment, remember that if you invited somebody, you have to pay for that yourself. However, if you are splitting the bill between the two of you, suggest that before the end of the dinner – you may feel uncomfortable discussing the sum of the bill while eating. It is easier to pay via Venmo that way.
All these rules are just a tool to help you achieve your goal. You do not have to learn which spoon is for the soup if you are able to attract attention of your hosts with your ideas and to start a good conversation. Besides, you can just leave your elbows on the table if you can and remember to chew with your mouth closed.
Thanks for reading this post! – MyPlugin
