Here are some business lunch etiquette tips for dining with coworkers, colleagues or clients:
* Don’t ask to taste someone else’s food or offer anyone a taste of your food.
* Don’t talk with food in your mouth.
* Don’t snap your fingers if you want to call the server. Always say please and thank you when dealing with waiting staff.
* Take small bites and keep your mouth closed while chewing.
* Never say anything negative about the food or bring attention to something you dislike.
Everything you say should be gracious and positive.
* Never discuss a few “taboo” topics while dining: surgery, divorce, finances, religion, and any other topic that’s too personal or too negative. Instead talk about: movies, books, music, latest hot spots to eat or hang out, family, hobbies, travels etc.
* Pace yourself while eating so that you finish at approximately the same time as your host or the majority of diners.
* Don’t season your food before tasting it.
* Don’t use your fingers to scoop food onto your fork.
* Never lick your knife.
* Forget texting or taking calls while you are at the table.
* Don’t reach for something, instead ask someone politely to pass you whatever you need.
* Don’t get drunk. You will instantly lose respect, trust and credibility.
* No matter how hungry you are, don’t eat in such a way that your opposite might think you didn’t have food for days.
* Don’t pick your teeth if you have something stuck between your teeth. Visit the restroom.
* Don’t scrape and stack the plates and push your plate away when you are finished eating.
* Never be rude to the waiting staff.
* Don’t ask for a doggy bag (it’s not professional at all).
