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Professional Etiquette

Are you manners-challenged?

What kind of image are you projecting? Remember, your career could depend on it.

Etiquette is about presenting yourself with the kind of polish that shows you can be taken seriously. Etiquette is also about being comfortable around people (and making them comfortable around you!) It's more than knowing which fork to use! Your professional image starts with the way you are dressed and is reinforced with your personal mannerisms and actions. Not only can it make a difference when you are looking for a job, it can make a difference in your ability to be successful on the job or even to keep a job. Etiquette is important. Manners matter!

Etiquette, or decorum, can vary widely from culture to culture. Unless otherwise specified, the information on this page refers to western or U.S. culture. International etiquette is addressed in the last section. Etiquette is entirely dependent on culture. What is excellent in one society may shock another. In today's global society, acquiring intercultural competence in many areas, including etiquette and manners, is essential. This page is divided into two sections: (1) professional etiquette resources (based on U.S. culture) and (2) international customs and etiquette..

The "Professional Etiquette" page includes the following categories with each linked to its respective location:

The Basics
Brush up on your manners and polish your presentation. Use the tools and resources here for help.
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Greetings and Introductions
In the business world, whoever is the highest ranking person is introduced to everyone else in order of their position. An exception is that a client should be introduced first even if you are with someone of higher rank within your company.
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Dining Etiquette
The Essentials
No one wants a person with no manners representing their organization. And nowhere is a lack of manners more evident than at the table. Remember these tips so you won't have any faux pas (mistakes) at an important business meal.
  1. Sometimes it's hard to remember which glass or bread plate is yours. Just keep in mind that your liquids are on the right and your solids are on the left.
  2. As soon as you are seated, place your napkin in your lap. Do not remove it until the meal is finished. (Not just when you are finished but when everyone is finished and the meal is concluded.) Donot crumple or wad the napkin and place it in the plate. Partially re-fold it and place beside the plate.
  3. The traditional place setting has knives on the right side of the plate and forks on the left. The blade of the knife should be facing toward the plate. Confused by all that silverware? Just remember, start from the outside and work in toward the plate.
  4. Once silver is picked up from the table, it never touches the table again. Between bites, it is appropriate to rest a utensil across the side of the plate but do not lay it on the table or prop halfway on the table and against the plate.
  5. Do not begin eating until after everyone has been served. This isgenerally the rule when there are six or less people. At large functionswith multiple tables of guests, wait until your table has been served. Forother large groups, wait until given permission to start by the host or othergroup members or wait until a significant number of the group have beenserved.
  6. Break bread into small bite size pieces. Do not butter a whole slice orpiece of bread at once. Butter should be placed on the bread plate. Thenspread small amounts of butter on the bite size pieces as needed.
  7. Food is served from left to right. When wait staff brings food, it will beserved from your left. The dishes will be removed from your right.
  8. Salt and pepper are always passed together. Consider them "married". Even if someone only asks for salt, you still pass both.
  9. Hold a stemmed glass by the stem.
  10. When finished with each course, your knife blade (turned inward) and forkshould be placed together diagonally from upper left to lower right. (Thinkof a clock. Its the 11 o'clock and 5 o'clock positions.). This signals thewaiter you are finished. Do not push your plate away (or otherwiserearrange your dishes when you are finished).

Source: Adapted from information at www.AskAndyAboutClothes.com

 

Personal Habits at the Table
  • Don't talk with food in your mouth. Chew with your mouth closed.
  • Don't order messy foods that are difficult to eat. If you are interviewing for a job or trying to land a business deal, you don't want to be worrying about the barbeque sauce spilled on your tie or silk dress. Don't burp. If a burp or hiccup escapes, just quietly say, "excuse me."
  • Keep your elbows off the table while eating.
  • Head for the rest rooms if you must remove something stuck between your teeth. Do not use a toothpick at the table.
  • Don't gobble your food in a rush.
  • Never lift your soup bowl to drink the final drops. Tilt it away from you and scoop the final amount with the spoon pushing away from you. Don't try to get every last drop.
  • Don't lick your fingers, use a napkin.
  • Be on time.
  • Turn off your cell phone. Your full attention should be on your dining companion or you will give the dangerous impression that you think there is someone more important than him or her.
  • Don't order the most expensive item or the least expensive item on the menu when you are being entertained. Go with something in the middle price range.
  • At business receptions, hold your drink in your left hand to keep your right hand dry and available for handshakes.

 

Formal Dinner Place Setting
1.Napkin 9. Soup Spoon
2.Fish Fork 10. Bread & Butter Plate
3. Salad Fork 11. Butter Knife
4. Dinner or Main Course Fork 12. Dessert Spoon and Cake Fork
5. Soup Bowl & Plate 13. Water Goblet
6. Dinner Plate 14. Red Wine Goblet
7. Dinner Knife 15. White Wine Goblet
8. Fish Knife   

NOTE: This table setting shown above is American style. In America, the salad is served before the main course, thus the placement of the salad fork as shown. In Europe, the salad is served after the main course. Thus, in Europe, the salad fork would be at position #4.

 

Additional Resources for Dining Etiquette
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Invitations and Special Events Etiquette
If the invitation says "RSVP", you must call or write the host and tell him/her whether or not you will attend. If you do not plan to attend, say so. Do not say "yes" to be polite. That would in fact be rude. Hosts need an accurate count of attendees to prepare orders for food and drink. So be polite and give accurate information. If the invitation says "Regrets Only", you only need to tell the host if you do not plan to attend.

Do not bring uninvited guests. If the invitation is addressed to you and your spouse, then it is only meant for you and your spouse. It is not a "family" invitation. If the invitation says "no children", it means no children. In professional situations, you do not bring your spouse unless specifically invited to do so. And, you most definitely do not bring your children unless otherwise notified.

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Technology Etiquette
In this era of email, text messaging, voice mail, and more, your career success could depend on following protocol for utilizing these resources in a professional setting. Practicing proper technology etiquette is important.
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Are You Culturally Savvy?

International Etiquette
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