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Kudos About Kaye’s
Coaching and Speaking
Press Center |
For Immediate
Release: Never
Nibble at the Buffet and Other Tips for Avoiding
Breakfast Meeting Humiliation About “Unfortunately,
most Americans today don’t realize how bad their dining etiquette really is,”
laments Perfect Presentation founder Buffets,
in particular, are etiquette minefields. Not only do you have to know proper
manners at the table, you need to know when to get up, how to negotiate the
buffet maze, how to behave in the line and whether to wait for the roast
beef. Don’t risk blowing a lucrative deal because of poor dining etiquette.
Instead, follow these tips from Buffet or menu? Often, restaurants offer both.
The rule of thumb in a business meeting is to follow the host’s choice. Thus
if you’re the host, you need to guide your guests by saying, “I’m thinking of
ordering the buffet. Does that sound good to you, too?” If you’re the guest,
wait for your host to indicate his intentions. Or, you can ask directly
whether he is leaning towards the buffet or something off the menu. Then
follow his lead, regardless of your own desires. Get directions. When the server takes the order,
the host should ask about the procedure for the buffet. If the host has been
there before and knows what to do, asking the question gives his guests a
chance to learn about how the buffet works, or he should explain it to them.
This is an important point because all buffets work differently. At some
buffets, the waiter brings the plates to the table; others have the plates
stacked near the food. Some are a single long line of food while others have
“islands” of food throughout several rooms – meats at one table, fruit at
another and so on. Knowing where things are and how the buffet works before
you leave the table will make the trip for food go far more smoothly and
quickly so everyone can get back to the business at hand. Limit portions. No matter how delicious
everything looks, resist the temptation to overstack
your plate. If your plate is full and you see something else you really want,
just walk away. Return to the table and forget about it. Come back next week
with a friend and gorge yourself if you really want to, but never in a
business meeting. Don’t graze. Never nibble off your plate, or
another’s, while going through the buffet line. Serve yourself, or be served
by the buffet station’s server, carver, omelet maker
and then leave it there until you’re back at the table. The same goes for
food on the buffet platters – never, ever pickup even a small morsel to
sample it while standing at the buffet.. Either take
it or leave it. It is never okay to eat anything, of any size, until you’re
seated at your table. Pace your movement. As you walk around the buffet,
try to move at the same pace as your host so you return to your table at the
same time. If you’re the host, set a business-like pace by moving relatively
quickly. Do not agonize over which food to try – take some and move on. Do
not let your desire for roast beef surpass the fact that the line is very,
very long. Remember – the meal is about getting the deal, not about your
stomach. Wait for everyone. If your group includes more than
two or three people, it’s likely you won’t all get back to the table at the
same time. While you’re waiting, put your napkin in your lap and chat with
your dining partners, but don’t touch your food until everyone is seated and
ready to begin eating. As with a served meal, guests should wait to start
until the host begins eating. If you’re the host, don’t keep everyone
waiting. Once everyone has returned from the buffet, welcome your guests to
eat by saying, “Thank you all for joining me this morning. Bon appetite!” Pace your
eating. Try to
eat at the same pace as the host. If you happen to finish first, do not
immediately head to the buffet table for seconds. Wait for your host to
finish and follow his lead. If he says he’s going to have seconds, then join
him. Never let anyone eat alone; even if you’re full at this point, go anyway
and choose something small. If he makes no move to return to the buffet,
forget about doing so yourself, even if he says it’s fine with him if you go
back. Beware. This is a test. It is not really okay. Why? Because you will
hold up the real point of the breakfast which is a business meeting and you
will be remembered for your gluttony, not your business savvy. Always
keep in mind it’s better to leave the meeting hungry with a done deal than
full with nothing. For more
recommendations or to schedule business meal etiquette training for you and
your company, contact ### ____________________________ Books
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