In my Public Relations Practicum class today, we discussed dining etiquette with a representative from Georgia Southern’s Career Services Office. I’ve taken an etiquette course before, but that was in 4th grade…so I knew my skills needed a brush up, but I was didn’t realize they would need an entire face lift.

So I’m sitting in class thinking, “when am I ever going to have an interview where I’m eating with a potential employer? Never, right?” Wrong. And this is why…

Here’s an interesting excerpt from The Little Book of Etiquette:

“Today business is the largest social environment in the world. Our rapidly expanding global economy forces us to  socialize and conduct business at the table more than ever before. It is in this setting that table manners play a major role as relationships are developed and strengthened. There is no better or possibly worse, place to make an impression.”

Employers are interested in observing how applicants behave in more of a social atmosphere without the tension and constraint of a traditional office.

I’m providing some of the tips I learned today (some new and old) for your pleasure. Enjoy!

1. Always take and leave your seat from the RIGHT. Waiters/waitressed usually serve from the left.

2. Take small bites so you have time to chew, swallow, and respond to questions.

3. If you must leave the room, place your napkin on the chair, not on the table. Placing your napking on your plate or on the table signifies the end of the meal.

4. Do not order the most or least expensive meal on the menu. Do think about what you’re ordering, do you really want spinach in your teeth? I hope not!

5. There are two serving styles (wasn’t aware of that): American and Continental, or European. In the American style, the salad is served before the main course. Continental style serves the salad after the meal.

6. Bread is supposed to be broken, not cut in half (had no idea!).

7. After using a knife, always have the blade facing you. The blade facing away from you is a sign of aggression.

8. When eating soup, be sure to spoon away from you to the center of the bowl.

9. (This one is a wowzer) If you bite into something and you need to remove it from your mouth, the rule is to take it out the way it went in and hide it under a garnish if possible.

10. Do not scan the room. Keep your eyes on your companions and your food.

11. Your hands and wrists may rest on the table, but not your elbows. Not showing your hands is a sign of not being trustworthy. 

Hope these were helpful! For more information on these tips and others, visit http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/career