Dining Etiquette

Dining Etiquette Career Counseling and Support Services 1640 Neil Avenue, 2nd Floor Younkin Success Center (614) 688-3898 ccss.osu.edu

Career Counseling and Support Services Objectives • To outline appropriate table manners before, during, and after a meal • To describe the general “do’s” and “don’ts” of dining etiquette • To present power dining results

Career Counseling and Support Services An Informal Place Setting

Career Counseling and Support Services A Formal Place Setting

Career Counseling and Support Services Before the Meal • Dress Professionally • Place your napkin on your lap after everyone is seated and after your host has moved his/her napkin • Review the menu and decide what you want to order quickly • Let the host take the lead in ordering, this will give you an idea of what to eat • If the recruiter is not first in line to order, ask him/her “what do you recommend”

Career Counseling and Support Services During the Meal • If your place is set with more than one fork, begin from the outside and work your way in • This is the time for both of you to relax and get to know one another better • Hold your knife and fork with the thumb and three fingers keeping the index finger extender on the handle • When cutting meat, the fork prongs should be pointed down, not up

Career Counseling and Support Services During the Meal • Cut your meat or meal one piece at a time; avoid dicing it into bite-sized pieces all at once • With dinner rolls, break off and butter one small piece of bread at a time; avoid making a sandwich • When sharing sauce with others, spoon some of it on to your plate; don’t dip your food into it • Strive to come across as relaxed, friendly, and interested in the conversation; stay positive

Career Counseling and Support Services During the Meal • Stay away from too much personal information as well as controversial topics • Use this opportunity to gather more information about the career • Put your silverware on your plate in the “rest position” when you speak, not on the table

Career Counseling and Support Services During the Meal • Rest position means: knife and fork are at 5 and 7 o’clock respectively • If you need to leave the table temporarily, place your napkin on your seat • Maintain good eye contact throughout the meal and avoid dominating the conversation

Career Counseling and Support Services After the Meal • Place the knife and fork prongs down side by side on the plate with handles at 4 o’clock • If your host insists the waiter bring the dessert menu, he/she wants you to have one • When you are done with the meal, place you napkin to the left of your plate

Career Counseling and Support Services After the Meal • Make sure you thank your host for providing the meal • Shake hands with the recruiter before you leave and maintain good eye contact

Career Counseling and Support Services General “DO’s” and “DON’Ts” • Do’s • Do sit up straight • Do keep your elbows out off the table • Do say “please” and “thank you” • Do take your time eating, talking, and listening • Do drink from your glass of water, it’s to your right • Don’ts • Don’t ask the waiter to explain everything on the menu • Don’t order the most expensive item • Don’t order any sloppy or hard to eat food • Don’t order any food that requires the use of your fingers • Avoid slurping your soup(spoon forward)

Career Counseling and Support Services General “Don’ts” • Don’t speak with your mouth full • Don’t dip food into a bowl others have to use • Don’t forgo the meal and don’t eat the garnish • Don’t drink alcohol, if you choose to drink, limit to one beer or glass of wine • Don’t argue over the check or offer to pay the tip, the host who invited you must take care of both • Don’t use toothpicks in the presence of the recruiter • Don’t smoke unless your companion lights up first • If you are a non-smoker and your partner asks for a table in the smoking section, grin and bear it

Career Counseling and Support Services Power Dining Results • The main issue is deciding whether you and the employer would be a good match • Employers look for excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a meal is a good place to show such qualities • It is a time to judge how the candidate interacts with others • Someone who is good at one-on-one situations might not be great in a group setting • The meal shows the candidate’s potential as a team player and his/her ability to move from one setting to another

Career Counseling and Support Services • Check out this video

Career Counseling and Support Services

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Dining Etiquette