Business Etiquette Dining Tips and Table Manners Advice Q & A

Q. – The 5 Second Rule – food off the floor and Dropped Silverware?

When you drop something on the floor of a restaurant, are you supposed to pick it up? What if it is dropped food? What is the proper dining etiquette?  I’ve seen some people pick up a fallen fork and some people leave them on the floor. I use the 5 second rule for food at home. If you do it quickly, can you pick it up?

 – Danny Dropsy in Detroit

A. – Dear Danny

Business Dining Etiquette Tips and Table Manners Advice Q & A

Q. What is the proper soup spoon etiquette when you’re done? Does it go in the bowl or on the plate?

Dear Terry, I know where to place my knife and fork when I’m finished with my main course but what about my soup course? I’ve seen some people leave the soup spoon in the bowl and some leave it on the plate, which is correct? I want to get it right and follow the proper dining etiquette rules.

-Sam Innastu in Vancouver

Business Dining Etiquette Tips and Table Manners Advice Q & A

Q. Who is supposed to pay the bill at a restaurant? The host or guest?

Dear Terry, I was invited out for a business lunch the other day. We had a nice meal but when the bill arrived, the person who invited me made no move to pick it up. It sat there so long that I ended up paying it. I thought the person who invites you is supposed to pay the check?

– Sally Stukwitbil

A – Dear Sally

You’re right, the correct dining etiquette is that the person who issues the invitation, as host pays for the meal (or check as it’s known by Americans). Unfortunately, not everyone seems to know this simple table manners rule.

Caffeine Lovers R Us

Joanne and I love a good cup of coffee so we regularly meet clients and conduct business at coffee shops. When we’re on the road we often use coffee shop Wi-Fi to check in with our social media and I sometimes even write these blog posts there. (Recent Favorite is Caffè Artigiano in Vancouver and now in Calgary)

Your manners? To stay or go?

How Can You Network if the Music is too loud?

Eat, drink and be… stressed

Have you ever sat in a restaurant where the thumping bass has made it so you can’t carry on a conversation? Or you have to shout or worse – carry on your conversation via text?

 Me: Do you mind turning the music down?

Server: Hunh?

Me: Do you mind turning it down!
Server: Hunh?

Me: Do you mind turning it down!!
Server: Hunh, I can’t hear you.
Me: Exactly

A fun way to have a laugh and test your international table manners.

Joanne and I have a lot of fun doing our business dining etiquette presentations. Even though we focus on Canadian and American table manners, people often share all sorts of tips and things that they’ve picked up while dining around the world.

Weird and wonderful customs