| Knowing what to do when meeting a prospective | | | | are shakinghands. This is part of your first impression, |
| client forlunch, or going to lunch with the boss or | | | | so make itgood. Always use the guest's first name |
| colleague can beconfusing at times. Here is a quick list | | | | either at thebeginning or at the end of the |
| of items toremember: | | | | statement. For example,"Thank you for taking the |
| 1. Be in the present moment with whoever you are | | | | time to get together today,Catherine." When needing |
| with.Limit glancing around the room. It's a sign that | | | | to complete a group ofintroductions, highest rank |
| you arelooking for something better. There is nothing | | | | rules over gender. |
| worse thanhaving a conversation with someone who | | | | 7. Small talk is important--don't leave it out. The |
| is half there. | | | | lengthof time for small talk depends on many factors. |
| 2. Being on time. This sounds so commonsensical. | | | | If you arein the presence of famous or very rich |
| Thepercentage of people being late is over 65 | | | | people and not in asocial setting, then the small talk, if |
| percent. Don'tpush your time to the last minute | | | | any, is going to bequick and short. It could be as |
| before leaving the officeso you will be late. Take | | | | short as one or twosentences. People who know |
| some reading or work with you,arrive early, sit in the | | | | how much their time is worth, orwho are doing you a |
| lobby, and work. Or give yourselfsome space to think | | | | favor by being there, also fall intothis category. |
| over how you want to approach the timetogether. | | | | 8. Aha, who picks up the tab? If you did the inviting, |
| Your introduction, tone, style, or even plan aquick get | | | | youare responsible for the check. No matter how |
| away if the union isn't working. The memoryimplant | | | | more well-offthey are. If at a joint meeting, ask at |
| of your lateness will always override any requestfor | | | | the beginning or whenscheduling the lunch on check |
| forgiveness. | | | | splitting. Waiting until thecheck arrives to state the |
| 3. Turn off your cell phone before entering the | | | | check splitting is a sign ofprofessional weakness. If |
| restaurant.No one around you wants to hear your | | | | you are meeting with someone whois giving you |
| conversation. Even ifyou let it ring, pick it up and then | | | | valuable advice, you must pick up the tab. Apersonal |
| take it outside. Didyou leave your lunch companion | | | | handwritten follow-up note is also appropriate. Ifthey |
| alone? This is just plainrude. If you have an "I don't | | | | have saved or helped you make more money, send |
| care attitude" about this,I'll tell you a story about a | | | | them agift or gift certificate. If you don't you will |
| lunch guest of mine who didthis and the three | | | | never getany more of their time again. This has |
| prospects she was meeting didn't even sitdown. | | | | occurred to me, andthe person never gets any time |
| They saw her talk, she waved a 1-minute finger | | | | again. |
| singleto them, and they turned around and walked | | | | 9. Where does the napkin go? Immediately after |
| out. Theywouldn't even answer her phone calls or | | | | sitting,place the napkin in your lap. If you notice the |
| emails afterwards. | | | | napkin is inthe goblet, this is usually a signal from the |
| 4. If you are a woman and this is business, it's | | | | restaurantthat the server will place the napkin into |
| appropriatenow to stand up and shake the hand of a | | | | your lap. If youexcuse yourself during the meal, place |
| male. Thisoverridesthe old rule of staying seated. If | | | | the napkin on theleft hand side of your plate or on |
| the meeting is for yourspouse's business and you are | | | | the chair. This signalsthe server that you aren't done. |
| coming along because otherspouses are coming, then | | | | When done, place napkin onthe right of the plate and |
| you stay seated as your spousestands up. This rules | | | | your fork and knife horizontallyacross the plate to |
| applies for either gender. | | | | signal the server. |
| 5. Offer your hand and give a firm handshake. | | | | 10. What to eat and use first? Which glass or which |
| Sometimes,people who don't like to shake hands will | | | | forkcan be confusing. Bread and salad plates always |
| not meet yours.Don't think anything of it if they | | | | to theleft, drinking glasses to the right. Utensils start |
| don't, this is just theirpreference. And particularly | | | | fromthe outside in and the dessert fork is by the |
| don't say something cute orfunny. | | | | dessert plate.Lay your fork and knife across your |
| 6. Think of an opening statement to make as you | | | | plate to signal theserver that you're finished. |