Productive meetings, successful

deals and strong professional

relationships are built over formal
business dining experiences. This
course covers business dining
etiquette for professionals.

BUSINESS DINING
ETIQUETTE FOR
PROFESSIONALS

Develop your personal image by

learning how to apply business
dining etiquette in various scenarios
and situations typically encountered
by professionals.
 C O N T E N T S

01 Definition and History of Etiquette

02 Social Etiquette in Business -

Purpose and Benefit

03 Understanding the Formal Dining

Table Setting

04 Rules in Formal Dining

 C H A P T E R Respect and courtesy are part of building great client
relationships and part of it is practice of proper social

01 Definition and History

of Etiquette
etiquette.

A lot of the time, productive meetings, successful deals and

strong professional relationships are built over formal business
dining.

WHAT IS ETIQUETTE?

Etiquette is from the French word "étiquette" which

means "ticket".

Merriam-Webster defines it as
"the conduct or procedure required by good
breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed
in social or official life".

Etiquette is about being considerate and

respectful to the people around you.

HISTORY

In 1533, Catherine de Medici brought the use of

cutlery to France when she married King Henry II.

It was popularized in European courts. Silver

utensils along with Chinese utensils were created
for the wealthy.

Table manners developed throughout Europe along

with the growth of restaurants in the 18th century.
Catherine de Medici

01
C H A P T E R

02 Social Etiquette in Business -

Purpose and Benefit

Social etiquette in business is the conduct

of a person during professional
socializing. It involves following a set of
rules when dining with clients and
colleagues.
The purpose of social etiquette is to foster an
environment where people feel comfortable as
they interact with each other. Observing social
etiquette is a way to show your utmost respect
to the people around you.

BENEFITS OF SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

"Good manners will open doors that the

best education cannot."

- Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice of the

Supreme Court of the United States

C H A P T E R

03 Understanding the Formal

Dining Table Setting

Note that not all cutlery may

be present every single time.
The number of cutlery will
depend on how many
courses you will have for the
entire meal.

Food served in a plate

has to be eaten with a
knife and fork.
Food served in a bowl
has to be eaten with a
spoon.

Remember: use the utensils

closest to you first and work
from the outside going in.

02
C H A P T E R

04 Rules in Formal Dining

Glassware

Don't worry, just pay attention. The

waiter will fill up the right glasses.
Seating and Body Posture Remember to dab your mouth with your
napkin before drinking to avoid unsightly
Be aware if there is a seat plan. Look for
marks on your glasses.
your place card.
If ever someone makes a toast, don't
Sit upright. Don't slouch.
clink your glass with others. Raising your
Place your elbows on your side and not
glass in enough.
on the table. You can place you elbows
on the table in between courses.
Don't cross your legs or shake your feet.
Courses and Ordering

Table Napkin and Cutlery Order the same amount of courses as

Unfold your table napkin underneath the
table.
Dab, don't wipe.
If you need to leave the table, place
your napkin on you chair. At the end of
your meal, place your napkin on the
table to the left of your plate.
Easy-to-remember rule for cutlery: use
Other Rules When Dining
the cutlery farthest to your plate,
working from the outside going in.
Bread and Soup
To eat your bread, tear off a bite size
and spread a small amount of butter
using the butter knife.
Place your butter knife on the top part of
your bread plate.
To eat your soup, take your soup and
spoon away from yourself. Don't slurp
your soup.
others.
When dining professionally, it's better to
order dishes which are easy to eat.
If you are unsure what to order, you
may ask the waiter for some
recommendations.
Don't talk when you have food in your
mouth.
Chew with your mouth closed.
Don't blow onto your food when it's hot.
If you need to go to the restroom,
excuse yourself without explaining why.
Never blow your nose while dining.
Excuse yourself and go to the restroom.
Turn your phone on silent. If you need to
answer a call, excuse yourself then
answer it outside the premises.
Place your bag or suit case underneath
the table in front of you.

Rule of Thumb

Be respectful and considerate with

the people around you.

03